Lucky To Be Here

A couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to spend about 12-ish days with my fiance's family traveling throughout Ireland, with a stop in London, and while that could sound like a nightmare to some, it was and incredible traveling experience that I won't soon forget. Having only visited Canada and the Caribbean in the past, my first trip to Europe came loaded with anticipation, but my expectations were nothing in comparison to the time I had. We toured a number of castles, saw more sheep and cows than I could count, and drank more Guinness in one week than any person should. From my limited experience, I've come to recognize the unique way in which traveling allows you to reflect on your life, and Europe has done so more than anywhere else I've ever been. If you haven't been before, this is your sign to go, and if you aren't sold on Ireland's place on your destination bucket list, I'm about to tell you why it's time to reconsider.

Beauty in Nature

Ireland is an old country full of historical sites and ruins, but none are more breathtaking than the beauty of Ireland's natural landscape. From the sub-comfort of seat 33C, I pictured a trip of bouncing around from pub to pub in quaint Irish towns, and climbs up spiral staircases that once housed kings and queens. And that totally happened! But what I didn't expect was rolling hills of luscious greenery, scenic overlooks, breathtaking coastlines, and even a few beaches to remind us of summer in New Jersey. In a country who's size rivals that of Indiana, the collective commitment to preserving their land is a wonder in itself, and I could feel the appreciation that people had for their environment. Despite constant warnings of thunderstorms and and overcast skies, our trip was graced with sunshine to spare, evident by the 9:45 sunsets that seemed determined to have us in attendance. If you are someone who already enjoys the great outdoors, I know you're gonna love it, but if you tend to prefer your fresh air pumped through an AC unit, Ireland is a place that will show you just what you have been missing out on.

No Tip For You

If you are unfamiliar, tipping in Europe does not have the same expectations as it does here in the US. In most cases you aren't expected to leave a tip at all, and when you do it typically ranges from 10-15%. In discussions with some of the locals we encountered, it seems that most people don't really tip in relation to the overall bill, but rather they will throw a few euro here and there as a courtesy. It reminds me of "my father's" old trick, or more accurately EVERY father's old trick, of throwing down a $20 when you get to the bar before ordering a single drink, and from then on out you never wait for one all night. It makes the transaction more of a gesture, lowers the pressure of the expectation, and injects a sense of mutual respect to interactions with service workers. Admittedly, first comparisons to New York City's food scene left something to long for from the European dining experience, but over time I began to appreciate the relaxation that came with the meal. Not once did I feel the lingering presence of a buss boy, or girl, nor were we rushed from a table after our 90min time limit was up. In fact, after a delicious plate of fish and chips in Cork, it took nearly 20min just to get the waiter to return to the table with the check, as if they didn't want to charge us for our meal all together. And while I don't anticipate the no-tipping trend taking over in the US anytime soon, I would like to see more places try it out to see how it affects the overall diner's experience, because it certainly added to mine!

Everyday is a Good Day

Though it may go without saying, vacation life is way more relaxing than the typical day-to-day, and when you add a solid time difference to the equation, the stressers of the norm have an even harder time of breaking through. On previous vacations, whether my out-of-office said "At the beach", or more often, "At a wedding", it's always felt like a near impossibility to completely check out from work. I've never been one to let a message go unread or a question unanswered, and unfortunately, I have let a pocket full of g-chats damper a good time or two. But this time, with a 5 hour head start on my responsibilities, the good times rolled and my incoming calls went to voicemail. Now, I'm not saying that you shouldn't answer your phone on vacation or ignore everyone you work with just because you are out of office, but you should find a way to check-out and enjoy yourself. If you are like me this is easier said than done, but with the time difference on your side, the pings seem to become much quieter, and far less frequent. Simply by being in a different timezone the requirements of my normal adult life lost their grip on my consciousness, and with a little luck, I hope their hold is far less secure when I get back. If you are looking for some time to disconnect and unwind, get some miles between you are your zip code, and the fun will fill in the gaps.

These were just a few of the reasons why I loved Europe so much, Ireland more specifically, but they don't begin to capture how amazing it truly was. I didn't expect to be inspired, didn't expect to love rainy days, and certainly didn't think I'd take so many photos. I was moved to do things differently then I normally would have, but I never felt like I had to, only that I wanted to. Traveling encouraged a side of me that I didn't realize existed, and I am so glad that I did, and look forward to experiencing the world with a new set of lenses to look through. If anyone out there is looking for a relaxing adventure, some inspiration, and a few dozen pints of Guinness, look no further!