An Interesting Evening

This evening did not go as planned at all, but I honestly think it turned out better than I expected. I went to an outdoor beergarden to watch the rugby game with my flatmate Alanna and some of her friends, as well as our Polish friend Karolina. Karolina bought me a Bailey's and it was delicious! But I couldn't finish it, so I gave it to Alanna. Karolina and I broke off from the group to go to this indie music social, which turned out to be really cool. We met her German friend Unica and went inside where we promptly met another German named Kris and listened to some great music! It was an interesting mix of people and we were all kind of talking about what home was like for us and how cold it is here, and when we ran out of things to say there was always the music to listen to and discuss. It was universally agreed upon that the first band (Frightened Rabbit, it was called) was better than the second, but I think they were both enjoyable. I was supposed to meet up with some other Americans to go on the Haunted Tour thing, but they decided not to go, and so I went back to the social. It was a really good time talking to people form different parts of the world. I think that after the beautiful landscape the thing I like the best about being here is the diversity that a large, international city provides. I've met people from Poland, Sweden, Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Korea, and from places in America that I've never been. It's just a wonderful opportunity to broaden my horizons even beyond the place where I came to study. After the bands left, everyone quickly began drinking a lot more (or so it seemed) to escape the boredom of a bad DJ and unfortunately then it turned into a large and slightly more varied frat party, so we decided to leave. Karolina and I walked home together (she lives just across the road) and had a really good talk about home and our parents and what we're doing here. I feel so privileged that she opened up to me the way she did about how she dreamed of becoming an actress, and her parents didn't support her. Although she is 23 and already has a degree from college in Poland, she is a fresher here, and I think it's hard for her to identify with some of the younger students. I can sympathize a bit, as I'm in my third year of college and so being away from home and my parents, while still exciting, has lost some of its novelty. It was really good to have a genuine conversation with someone amidst the hustle and bustle of tours, concerts, parties, games, events and above all meeting people that is Freshers' Week. And I'm especially glad to be making a friend from such a different background.