Dublin, Ireland

In mid-March of 2000, I met 2 friends, Noreen & Shannon (my sister’s college roomies) over in Dublin for several days. They were doing a little European tour after their Master’s program and I decided it was a good excuse to see Ireland while they were there. They rented a room from some young guys for a couple months and utilized their work permit to make a little money to live off of.

They showed me a great time…pub crawls, beautiful parks, picnics in the small seaside town of Bray, wonderful food at “The Beast”, a train trip to Galway on Ireland’s gorgeous west coast, cozy bed & breakfasts, pints, pints and more pints. It was a fabulous trip. I met their friend, Michelle, who is pictured below in the Cookie Monster tee and who I am thrilled to have reconnected with on Facebook! Michelle was a superb hostess and I hope to be able to go back, visit and have our kids frolic together in the beautiful Irish countryside someday.

I am always renewed and have a different outlook on life after a big, international trip like this. It is just something about being in another country, partaking in their everyday life, sitting back evaluating your own life, returning feeling so rejuvenated and looking at it in a whole new way and then wanting to turn around and plan the next excursion! There is something so addictive about traveling.

Travels seem to be out the question these days, and I am totally OK with that, but in the meantime, I will relish in looking at old photos, relive these beautiful opportunities and dream of the big trips to come in our new life with our two new little travelers.

Where are your travels taking YOU this year?

{Here are a few pictures from my stay in Eire}

Hours after arriving on the Red Eye:

On The Ha’Penny Bridge over the River Liffey:

Ticket to the Hurling Match:

At the match clueless about the sport:

Having a pint (or two!) after the match:

The Ladies with a random Irish lad: