14. week
On Monday Noora went to help to buy some last minute souvenirs and eat out in Bistro Bianconi with her parents as it was their last night visiting us. When they came to say goodbye to Siru, they presented her with a Claddagh ring – a memory they had purchased for both of us. Noora knew that Siru had been thinking of buying one for herself for quite long time – from our trip to Killarney, to be exact – so she knew what kind of ring would be perfect. The ring has a curious design of a crowned heart held by two hands which represents love, loyalty and friendship. Siru was so flattered and thankful by this gesture that the farewell was not completely tear-free.
On Tuesday Siru went to school before Noora, because she wanted to stay at home until her parents left. When we were united again, we had our Teamwork & Creativity presentation, which went very well. The teacher was praising our presentation skills, saying that we looked like we were speaking to our friends or family because we weren’t as nervous as some of the others. We, too, had noticed earlier that the Irish students were not as sure with giving presentations – lack of education on giving them, we found out. We told that in Finland we are taught to do presentations from early age, so it was all natural for us. After school we went back home and switched apartments because our friend Meri was coming for May Day and Siru wanted to spend the few days she had with her. In the evening we met Meri at the bus station and as if to welcome her to Ireland, it was raining.
We had our Team Building Game due date for Adventure Tourism on Wednesday and we went to Shelly Valley in Strandhill to perform them. The forecast didn’t look very promising, but we still went there as practiced, even though we would have had the opportunity to go inside in Knocknarea. The teacher had decided that we could handle a little bit of rain, especially as she always emails us to dress weather-accordingly. When we arrived at the beach, it was indeed raining as it had been promised. We left Meri in Mammy Johnston’s so that at least she wouldn’t have to get wet. The rain eventually stopped – only to start again even harder. Everybody was cold and soaking – even us, who had prepared ourselves with rain coats – it seemed absurd just after a theory lesson of doing a risk assessment. Before the class we had voted to do all the team building games that day, but as the weather was getting more and more horrible, we had to stop playing the games. Half of the teams didn’t get to do their games, us included, and we would have to do them the following week. We were all quite crossed about it all and the teacher apologized embarrassed about her decision. Not very happy we went home to change some dry clothes on and continued to Pennies, where Meri bought a lot of stuff – we were happy that it wasn’t just us that Pennies had ruined. In the evening, exhausted by the tough day, we wanted to relax in Lillies and get Meri to see our favorite pub and hear traditional Irish music. She was enthusiastic to go and she and Siru stayed for another drink, whilst Noora left to sleep after just one.
On Thursday it was the Finnish May Day, which we are used to celebrate with sima, home-made mead. We didn’t have to differ from the traditions, because Noora’s mom had made us some before she left back to Finland. Meri had also remembered us with paper streamer and balloons, which, too, are essential for May Day celebrations. They had also bought some festive things with Siru from the city center, such as popping candy and lollipops for dipping and bunny sun glasses. In the evening we listened to music and talked about everything that had happened since we last saw each other.
We had decided to go see the nightlife of Sligo and went to T&C first. Siru had been there earlier, but for Noora and Meri it was mutual, new experience. We were a bit too early there, as nearly nobody else was yet there, but with the few other customers we talked a bit and told them about the Finnish May Day traditions. To pass the time before more people would join us in T&C, we went to Garavogue for drinks. From there Meri and Siru continued back to T&C and Noora went home.
On Friday Siru stayed home with Meri. Noora went to school and heard from a teacher that there would be a bus strike the next day. In our usual situation it wouldn’t be so much of a problem, but Meri was supposed to leave for Dublin to catch her flight back home. By the time she shared this piece of information with rest of the girls, they became more and more worried, but to our relief, the trains operated normally. We checked a few alternative train schedules, the connective bus timetables and called a cab to take Meri to the train station in the morning. All being set we ate some pizza and relaxed for the rest of the evening.
On Saturday morning Meri needed to leave. We walked her outside of our apartment complex where the taxi came to pick her up. We exchanged goodbyes and she left on a way back to Finland. At this point we felt envious and a bit homesick. We knew that when the study week starts we would have a lot free time – free time that could be spent back at home. We tried not to think too much of the weeks to come, when we could be home but would need to study hard, and focus on the exams. We changed our stuff back to our own apartments and watched movies to relax.