Going to the Garda...

So far today has been quite the adventure.
Woke up at 8am on a day on which I do not have classes in order to make it downtown in time to get to the Garda (police) to register myself as being in the country. All was well when I woke up to a sunny Dublin morning, the air is cool and crisp and felt good. The sun was finally out from the blanket of clouds and I was excited to have this whole registration thing over with because it's one big 150 euro pain in the ass.

Morgan, Lexi, Garrett, and myself walk to the river and followed it the GNBI building, that would be the Garda National Bureau of Immigration. We found the building without issue due to the amazing navigational skills of Morgan and Garrett (who had both been there previously). So we walk in, the place had opened at 8am and it was already 9:15. There was a long line of about 70 feet which we promptly walked to the end of. Now this was only the line to get a ticket, you have to get a ticket before you can be seated. So we waited in that line for about a half an hour, filled out a form and each proceeded to walk to a window and collect a ticket. I was third behind Morgan and Lexi, but in front of Garrett. So Morgan got number 77, Lexi, 78, and somehow I ended up with 111 but Garrett got 79. Oh the wonders of public administration. So confused and slightly ticked off, I sat down.

At this point in time there were only 5 windows out of 14 open and they were on number 55 at 9:45am. I was debating whether or not to leave and come back, but I didn't really have anything else to be doing. So I sat there in silent stupidity mulling over how I ended up with number 111 and doing not much of anything else. By 10:15am, they were up to number 70. The other 3 kids were on the edge of their seats with anticipation as I counted how many MORE people seemed to be in front of me somehow. 77, 78, 79 were all called by 10:30ish. So they got the paperwork in order and headed up to the windows. Then sitting down for about another 10 minutes to wait for the cards to be printed and ready. American nationals Morgan, Lexi, and Garrett were called and out of the building by 11am.

So here I am now sitting and waiting by myself because obviously I wasn't going to ask them to sit and wait around for me. More windows begin to open and the numbers begin to tick, we had reached 89 before the other Bent kids left. I'm beginning to get a little hopeful that I might actually be out of here before noon. And I'm in luck 11:35ish and my number pops up onto the board, number 111 at window 8. Awesome. I get everything situated, make sure I don't leave anything on the seat and head over to where I'm supposed to be. I plop down onto the stool and hand my passport and form to the guy behind the window. Young guy very casually dressed for someone working for the government. I have no idea what I'm doing, but the guy keeps talking and asking me questions, it's loud, I'm getting flustered. There is a glitch, he has to go talk to someone. But no worries, comes back, "I need proof of student registration." Sure thing, I hand him the letter that I got just yesterday from the Student Desk at UCD. "Thanks. It's going to be 150 euro now." Grrrrreat. I slip my debit card thru to him so he can run it and all of the sudden I'm missing $200 from my bank account, yay Irish government!

So after that, I wait for about 7 more minutes, collect my card and I'm out the door by 11:50am. I'm starving. Head back to the apartment, stopping only at Londis to grab a sub and a bag of chips for 2.66 euro. Fabulous deal. On my way down Grafton, I pass a store that just happens to be playing a song that I LOVE, so of course, I came home and found the video to go with it.
For your viewing pleasure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTAAsCNK7RA

So that was my adventure for the day. I was hoping to be able to upload some pics, but alas the internet is kicking my ass here once again. Maybe on Monday? Check back then if you want to.
Tonight we're celebrating Lexi's birthday, so that should be fun. Not sure if I will go out, but I will certainly help her celebrate beforehand :)

Tomorrow is the day trip to the Medieval Town of Kilkenny, where we get to see a castle, have a free lunch, and then go on a walking tour. Should be fun!

And of course, Sunday is the SUPERBOWL. We have a table reserved at a bar/restaurant known as "Captain Americas" and are super stoked. Should be a great night...too bad the game doesn't even start here until after 11pm haha. But oh well.

I'll keep you posted on how things go! ;)