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What I Didn't Know About Ireland

                                 

As an Irish American, I grew up thinking that I knew certain things about Ireland.   Of course, I had always heard how beautiful it was and how friendly the people were, but I was surprised to discover that there are so many things that as Americans we don't really know about Ireland.

Here are just some of the things that surprised and delighted me during my travels to the lovely green isle.

Top o' the Mornin 

I've never heard an Irish person say this in over 20 years of traveling there.

Corned Beef and Cabbage is not the national dish

The most common or traditional meal I found all through the country is boiled back bacon (pork), potatoes, cabbage and a lovely parsley cream sauce, it's just like the country boiled dinner my grandmother made when I was growing up.  Corned beef and cabbage developed in America due to the cost of food and immigrants living in the same communities with some who did not eat pork.  

Irish Bacon is not the same as Canadian Bacon 

It a gorgeous slice of pork loin (rashers) that I adore!

St. Patrick's Day began as a religious holiday to honor their patron Saint

Until 1970 pubs were required by law to close for the day.  Irish immigrants in America began celebrating in remembrance of their homeland and it has evolved into the green madness we know today. 

The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are separate countries

Although they share a border with the South, Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom.

Pubs in Ireland are truly Public Houses

They are a place to meet, gather and conduct business.  You are as likely to find a hardware store or linen shop in the same building.  I even found one that had a mortuary on the other side.  Many have become more of a drinking establishment, but you'll still find many true pubs throughout the country.

To say that the Irish are heavy drinkers, is not a fair reflection of the culture

I found drinking to be more of a social activity, and many prefer tea or soft drinks over alcohol when they are out.  My favorite was black currant juice mixed with water, very refreshing.

Having said that, there is a very healthy respect for the black stuff

During my travels I would often see Guinness mini coupes driving through the country to inspect and service the tiny pubs in the towns and villages.  As a woman you are more likely to be offered a glass instead of a pint when you order a beer, just tell them you want a pint, and you'll get a smile and a wink.

We've all heard of Irish Wakes 

I was very moved to hear the story about families having American Wakes for their loved ones who were emigrating to the US - they knew they would probably never see them again.  

Christian - Pagan - Ancient Celts

As I trekked up the Hill of Tara, I was surprised to see a very modest statue of St. Patrick and all of the surrounding monuments and symbols to honor their ancient pagan history as well.

Cherish the History

That is something very unique about Ireland - they don't remove something just because it is old or seems out of date.  A lovely caretaker I met at the Kylemore Abbey gardens explained to me that anything that thrives there stays there. 

Taxi drivers are more like professional tour operators 

They will give you great information about the local area.  It will also be the most interesting conversation you will ever have.  The Irish are very well informed about news and world events and love to chat with travelers about all of it.

How lovely and social they are is not a myth 

If they ask you about yourself, it isn't simply to be polite - they really want to know.  When I lived there, I was told early on, to allow extra time when you go out so you can chat with the people you meet along the way.  

The Irish have an incredible, irrepressible, independent spirit

That is perfectly displayed on the Painted Doors of Dublin.  At the same time, they have a deep love and loyalty to their country, like singing the national anthem at the end of the night after drinking and dancing.  That is something you would never see at an American bar.

They are the warmest, kindest most generous people I have ever met, and the countryside is absolutely stunning.  

If you've been there, then you know what I'm talking about.  If you haven't, then you must see it for yourself to understand the true beauty of this very special place.

To say I was charmed by Ireland would be a tremendous understatement.  It's not only the home of my ancestors but has become the homeplace of my heart. 

Post Pandemic Travel - Getting Back to Basics

Post pandemic travel is a new and interesting experience.  So many people, myself included, are ready to explore the world again.  The question is, just how do we do that now?

Destinations are beginning to open to visitors but there are still many aspects that have changed and need to be considered before embarking on your next adventure.  Especially for women traveling alone.

Solo travel has always been a unique experience

It required special planning to make sure that it was safe and enjoyable.  Not so different than how it is today.

Thinking about how to do this reminds me of when I first began to travel.  Deciding where to go, how to get there, where to stay were just some of the decisions that I needed to make.  Everything about the process was a little scary but very exciting. 

I’m feeling that way again and it is making this process even more enjoyable.

Jump back in or take it slow

For some, this will be going full speed ahead, trying to regain their normal routine.  For others, it will be a little slower and more deliberate.  I probably fall somewhere in the middle.  I want to go fast but also be mindful of real and relevant factors all over the world.

Pre-pandemic I was travelling full-time, most of it internationally.  Just the month before lock-down in the US I was in 3 different countries and planning the next. 

Now that seems unrealistic and even careless in some cases.  I had to remind myself that things have changed and if I want to continue to travel, I need to do somethings differently.

Back to basics

As much as I love the experience of going somewhere far away, I don’t feel quite ready for that.  What I am ready for is that feeling of wonder and joy that being anywhere new brings.

I began thinking of things to do and places to go a little closer to home.  Places that would give me that sense of being away without having to go too far.

When I first started to travel alone, I would pick a nearby location and plan from there.  What I found was that it didn’t matter where it was, it always felt like I was worlds away.

Start small

Something I love to do when I am in a new place is to take public transportation, especially buses and trains.  That is something I almost never do at home. 

I started by checking stations and schedules near where I live and began to see all of the locations I can access without driving.  What I didn’t expect is that it was as much fun, if not more, than researching flights, at a fraction of the cost.

The other thing I love about traveling is staying at a nice hotel and taking myself out to dinner.  As much as I enjoy that, it is something I only do when I’m away. 

Just this small amount of planning helped me to see that I can have all of the pleasure of taking a trip with a lot less of the anxiety producing aspects that I don’t want.

There are so many options

Now, that I’ve decided that this is a good way for me to ease back into travel, I’ve realized just how many possibilities there are.  I don’t have to fly to another city to enjoy all of the things I can have right here. 

I’ve decided I will play tourist in my own city and state.  Each trip will involve something that I love – visiting local parks and gardens, going out to lunch or dinner alone, staying at a nice hotel for just a night or two or booking a luxurious spa treatment, anything I want. 

Not only will it be convenient but without having to pay airfare, it is much more affordable. 

Just thinking about this new way to travel has reignited my enthusiasm for something that has been such a wonderful part of my life. 

Wishing you safe and happy travels!   

 How do you feel about traveling again?  Are you comfortable with planning and preparing for post pandemic changes?  Have you ever been a tourist in your city?  Share your stories and join the conversation! 

Published on Sixty and Me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep Your Vibration High and Your Head Low

 New eBook available on Amazon.

Keep Your Vibration High and Your Head Low

New eBook available on Amazon.

Life Lessons and the Joy of Aging

Finding Joy in Isolation

 When the pandemic first hit the U.S. in 2020, like so many others, I wondered how I would cope.  Would this be a devastating hardship or could it be an opportunity to look at life in a different way?

There were so many unknowns that business as usual didn’t seem realistic or even possible.  I started to think about ways that I could be comfortable and still stay safe with so much fear and confusion going on around me.

As I spoke with family and friends, I could see that everyone had a unique approach to this unprecedented situation.  Some were trying to work around the virus to maintain as much of their normal day to day lives as possible and others wanted to ignore that it was even happening. 

Very quickly, I realized that how I dealt with this was entirely up to me.  So, I went into planning mode.  I wanted to find a way to transition to a new normal and maybe even find some joy.

First, I needed to assess what I would require for extended periods of lockdown.  As I did my inventory, I realized that I had very little in the way of food on hand and an excessive amount of travel supplies.  After so much traveling, I had enough shampoo and toothpaste to last 6 months.

Since it was still winter in Colorado, I thought of it as getting ready for a big storm.  I didn’t want or need to hoard supplies but I did need to have food in the cupboard.

It reminded me of when I was a girl and mom could make a few pantry staples and one piece of meat stretch for several meals.  How well she managed really inspired me.  This was a great chance to get creative and do some things differently. 

 I never enjoyed grocery shopping, or any shopping to be honest, and now it was much worse.  I started checking into delivery options and found that I could get everything I needed delivered to my door, it felt like a real luxury.  That is something I will continue long after the crisis has passed.

Also, there was an unexpected surprise in having someone else doing my shopping.  As supplies fluctuated, I would sometimes get substitutions for items that I would not have tried otherwise. 

I started to appreciate how well I was able to navigate through this strange time.  Feeling very secure with my home and food supply my attention turned inward.  I began thinking of how I would spend my time. 

Previously, I would have been traveling all over the world for work and pleasure but that was not going to be possible, at least for the time being.  That was a big concern for me.  How would I adapt if I was confined to one place, not able to jump on a plane whenever I wanted? 

I began thinking of all of the wonderful trips I had taken and trying to remember details of each adventure.  I had moved so quickly from one place to another, now was a good time to reflect on those journeys and what they really meant to me.

Being in one place for an extended period of time was growing on me.  It was nice to wake up in my own bed every day and not have to worry about check-out time or flight schedules. 

I was cooking more and even started sourdough baking which is something I used to do when my children were young.  I discovered a lot of the simple pleasures that I didn’t have time for before the pandemic. 

For me, staying in was a relief, I didn’t have to go anywhere or do anything that I didn’t truly want or need to do.  I’ve never liked crowds, so not being able to attend events felt like pure freedom.  I could do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. 

Little by little I started experimenting with this new way of life and found so many hidden gems that I would never have thought would be possible.  I have loved slowing down and really taking time to look after myself.  What I discovered is that you can find joy even in isolation.

How have you coped during the pandemic?  Were there any unexpected benefits from a change in your lifestyle?  Share your story and join the conversation.

Published on Sixty and Me

Birthday Trip

 Every year at this time I begin planning my birthday trip.  It is the perfect time for a getaway and a special way for me to celebrate the occasion.  The tradition began many, many years ago when I decided to go to Mexico for my birthday.

It was the first trip I had ever taken out of the country and what a grand adventure that was.  I spoke very little Spanish, I did not know or understand customs, foreign currency exchange or very much about getting around in a strange place.  I was terrified and exhilarated all at the same time.

I began by purchasing a holiday package that included most of my arrangements and that helped a great deal.  I found when I arrived that although most of the basics were covered, I still had to manage quite a bit on my own.  What I discovered was that it was so much fun and easier than I expected.  

I met so many wonderful people both locals and other tourists, ate incredible food, had fantastic excursions and even had a little holiday romance, it was truly enchanting.  

Ever since then it has been an annual event and even though this year may be a bit different, I can't wait to see what fantastic journey awaits!