I have never been on a airline like Ryan Air. Getting on the plane was pretty much standard, but once I sat down, I knew it was going to be different. After all the carry-on luggage was placed in the overhead bins and the attendants closed the doors, I could see advertisements down the length of the plane, like on a public bus. Half way through the flight, there was an announcement and the attendants walked through the plane offering special Ryan Air scratch-off lotto tickets for $1 Euro each.

When I heard the landing gear open, I looked across the aisle out the window. I was amazed to see the fields below - it was true - the green was greener than I had ever seen before in my life. "How could that be?" I was thinking. Tears welled up in my eyes and softy began to seep out. I have never had a reaction like this when landing before.

After touching down, before the plane had stopped rolling on the runway, Medieval fanfare blared from the loudspeaker. I looked at the two girls sitting next to me and asked, "Do they always do that?" They confirmed the fanfare and I just started laughing. I was in Ireland, land of my ancestors.

By the time I caught the bus into Dublin, the sun had snuck away beyond the horizon. The bus driver alerted me when we arrived at the Camden Street stop. At first I wasn't sure which direction I should walk up the street, but I showed my map to a shopkeeper and he helped me get orientated. As I pulled my carry-on across the dark streets of Dublin, I was glad for my wool scarf (thank you Mandy & Amigo), and gloves (thank you Mom). Without a coat, the icy wind cut right through, but I kept my pace up to generate my own heat.

It took about 20 minutes to arrive at my couchsurfing host's apartment. Jim, Vic and Nathan were all waiting for me. We chatted for a bit getting to know each other, and then I went to sleep on a comfy couch in the heart of Dublin.

Mariam Arthur