What an exciting night.  After orientation yesterday, a bus took teachers shopping around 3:30.  Sarah thought she would have enough time to go with her roommates and be back to the hotel in time for our ride to the ND Club's party.  I wasn't going to take any chances (plus wasn't too enthused about shopping), so I took the bus to the hotel.  Our ride was coming at 7:00 and at 6:45 Sarah was still in the parking lot waiting for people to finish shopping.  Luckily, the bus driver flagged down a cab for her and she raced back in 25 minutes.  (only cost $8  Our ride was on time, but he didn't mind talking some footbal (not futbol) and waiting for her, so it worked out.  (as it turned out, the bus did not return from the shopping trip until 9:00!)

Anyway, the party was at a beautiful mansion of a house, up high overlooking the city lights.  I quickly found out I was a little underdressed in my ND football t-shirt and cargo shorts when I saw the "servers" in tuxedos.  Oh well.  The ND spirit was alive and well.  Everyone was very happy to have us there and excited that we will be around for a while.  They were sending off 5 students to ND.  A gentleman they called "the chief of ND central america" gave a long and passionate toast about the great spirit of Notre Dame.  I could tell this despite not being able to understand most of it.  (I did catch "Notre Dame familia" many times)  They were all excited about the upcoming season and assured me there will be a way to watch the games.  I know, it's a big surprise that I let my concerns be known regarding that subject.  One of the students is very interested in the ACE program, so it was fun talking to her about our experience.

I have a feeling it won't be the last time we hang out with this group.  I think we made a few friends.  I know this sounds corny for some, but many of you "get" what I told Sarah when we left - "we just experienced the Notre Dame spirit at its best."

And we thought it was only a "national" university.
Go Irish.