Further Ramblings

So after my initial reactions were over, it was time to settle into life here, find accommodation and a job. Neither were plentiful by any means and the morale in the hostel amongst the Irish certainly rebated over the days I was there. Finding a room proved to be very difficult for some. Luckily however, I managed and met an amazing person in the process. Further to being here alone, this meant I didn't have the option of a big group of friends taking their own house and moving 20 people into a 3 bed! I had to sublet a room from someone who resided here and returned home during the summer period.

Initially I thought I would be clever and email some prospective rooms before I departed Ireland. I had a viewing lined up for the day after I arrived. I travelled to the house but soon realised this was going to be no easy task. As I was taking a room in a house and would have to live with people I was now meeting, they wanted to let a few people view the property first, then decide on their favourite person. I would have to wait a couple of days in order to find out if I was successful or not. I decided not to dawdle on this and continued searching. I extended my stay in the hostel and settled in to searching craigslist on their patchy internet! I decided my best bet was to email the room owners as soon as they posted the ad, which was invariably early morning. So I emailed rooms as they came up and arranged viewings.

I soon received a reply from a college student living in Malden, just north of Boston, who was returning home for the summer and wanted someone to take his room for him. He informed me I could view the room that evening and asked me to tell him more about myself. He then said;

"Woah, you are a mountaineer?"

My profile picture on my gmail account is me holding an irish flag on the top of a snow covered Ben Nevis. So I replied about myself and told him, yes, I am a mountaineer. I started in College and have since went on to climb in the Alps, Scottish Winter and that I am an avid outdoor person, not thinking a lot of it. He replied and we agreed to meet that evening at 6pm.

The house was very nice from the outside and in a very convenient location - between two stops on the train system into Boston. Knocking on the door I was hoping this would go well. He introduced himself as Ben and lead me up a narrow staircase to the first floor. As my eyes peered over the final step I immediately saw a pair of mountaineering boots and a pair of rock shoes! From then it all fell into place as he showed me his spacious room, two sash windows and walls adorned with interesting photos and maps from all over the world. He was a very interesting and well travelled guy (rare in an American) and had lots of stories to tell about past and future adventures.

He was returning to California for the summer and is completing a 300 mile ridge known as The Sierra Crest Route. I took the room as it was on budget and I even managed to pay less of a security deposit than expected! He was very helpful in follow up emails and I felt very reassured that I wasnt scammed! He sent me an email about his route and sent me a twitter link to follow to see there progress.

When I moved into the room on June 3rd, it was immaculately prepared and had some books and games lined out to for me. Pictures are below!