OK, I think this is a sign...in the last 2 days I have had 2 different people ask me for thoughts/insights/recommends for their vacations to Ireland.
A co-worker emailed yesterday saying she heard I was the "resident" Ireland expert and could I give her any trip planning advice on her trip to Ireland this year. I was more than happy to shoot off a lengthy email to her giving her a few recommendations based on my experience in Ireland a couple years ago and I gave her one of my old Ireland guidebooks to get her started.
Then tonight when checking emails a friend sent me an email saying she may be going to Ireland next year and asked for my insights on Ireland.
Having only been there once, I am by no means an "expert", but my love for travel and travel planning took over and I can't help but dive into any request someone makes to me for travel recommendations!
Now, since I've had 2 Ireland "incidents" within 2 days I really think Ireland is calling me back! CL and I have talked casually about going to Ireland for a week in 2008...me thinks it time to stop being casual about making plans and start putting my thoughts together to make it happen!
I can hear the Emerald Isle calling my name! :)
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Saturday, March 03, 2007
What Travel Means to Me...
What does travel mean to me?
Well, it means many things to me. It provides me with a sense of adventure. Kind of like living life for a little while on "over drive"...senses are heightened and I see the world in a different light. Stepping outside of my everyday life and experiencing something different, exciting and sometimes exotic. It's about seeing other parts of the world and meeting people from different cultures who may do the same everyday things I do at home, but in their own way, different then mine. And that intrigues me.
It's about sometimes getting outside my own comfort zone and doing things I wouldn't normally do at home...how about climbing to the top of huge suspension bridge on the other side of the world? Or crossing over a tiny rope bridge to a minuscule island where the grass is so green you think you are looking at an emerald. Or sailing down a coastline on water so blue you think sapphires are sparkling back at you and looking up to the land and seeing enormous mountains crashing into the sea.
Travel also helps me to remember how fortunate I am. How I am able to provide for myself and create opportunities where I can see the world, which many people will never have the chance to see or do.
Travel gives me joyful memories I will have for the rest of my life, more joy then a new electronic device or posh new fashion wardrobe. The tangle things are nice, but in 40 years will I really care that I had an iPod nano or will my memories of a month in Eastern Europe or a week in Rome at Christmas be what's really memorable? I heard somewhere a study was done to gauge the happiness of people who spent their money on tangible items such as purchasing expensive cars, as compared to people who spent their money on travel. Guess who was reported to be happier people...you guessed it...the people who traveled. Because once the newness of the tangible items wears off, the buyer wasn't happy anymore, but the people who traveled had the benefit of a lifetime of wonderful memories...it makes sense to me!
Well, it means many things to me. It provides me with a sense of adventure. Kind of like living life for a little while on "over drive"...senses are heightened and I see the world in a different light. Stepping outside of my everyday life and experiencing something different, exciting and sometimes exotic. It's about seeing other parts of the world and meeting people from different cultures who may do the same everyday things I do at home, but in their own way, different then mine. And that intrigues me.
It's about sometimes getting outside my own comfort zone and doing things I wouldn't normally do at home...how about climbing to the top of huge suspension bridge on the other side of the world? Or crossing over a tiny rope bridge to a minuscule island where the grass is so green you think you are looking at an emerald. Or sailing down a coastline on water so blue you think sapphires are sparkling back at you and looking up to the land and seeing enormous mountains crashing into the sea.
Travel also helps me to remember how fortunate I am. How I am able to provide for myself and create opportunities where I can see the world, which many people will never have the chance to see or do.
Travel gives me joyful memories I will have for the rest of my life, more joy then a new electronic device or posh new fashion wardrobe. The tangle things are nice, but in 40 years will I really care that I had an iPod nano or will my memories of a month in Eastern Europe or a week in Rome at Christmas be what's really memorable? I heard somewhere a study was done to gauge the happiness of people who spent their money on tangible items such as purchasing expensive cars, as compared to people who spent their money on travel. Guess who was reported to be happier people...you guessed it...the people who traveled. Because once the newness of the tangible items wears off, the buyer wasn't happy anymore, but the people who traveled had the benefit of a lifetime of wonderful memories...it makes sense to me!
Friday, March 02, 2007
Blog Slacker!
I admit, I have been slacking big time on my blog entries! Probably because I haven't done much trip planning in the last few weeks.
Since purchasing the Rome tickets I don't have any major trip arrangements to make right now. I've got the "big" stuff done and the other "smaller" arrangements don't have to be done for a few months.
I still have to purchase a one way ticket from Izmir back to Istanbul in October, but I want to use one of the budget airlines and they don't have the fall schedules/airfares available yet, so I have plenty of time for that.
The Italy trip seems so far away at this point and I just have a few things to tie up for that trip, so I'm "sitting pretty" as far as trip planning is concerned.
I did check the Delta website to see if my Rome airfare had gone up and it did by about $200, so I am happy I jumped on the fare when I did...now let's hope it doesn't go down below $1000!
The next step in the planning process will be to get my hands on a few guidebooks and start reading about the places that interest me and consider definite "must see" sites for both Turkey and Rome.
Here's to smooth trip planning! :)
Since purchasing the Rome tickets I don't have any major trip arrangements to make right now. I've got the "big" stuff done and the other "smaller" arrangements don't have to be done for a few months.
I still have to purchase a one way ticket from Izmir back to Istanbul in October, but I want to use one of the budget airlines and they don't have the fall schedules/airfares available yet, so I have plenty of time for that.
The Italy trip seems so far away at this point and I just have a few things to tie up for that trip, so I'm "sitting pretty" as far as trip planning is concerned.
I did check the Delta website to see if my Rome airfare had gone up and it did by about $200, so I am happy I jumped on the fare when I did...now let's hope it doesn't go down below $1000!
The next step in the planning process will be to get my hands on a few guidebooks and start reading about the places that interest me and consider definite "must see" sites for both Turkey and Rome.
Here's to smooth trip planning! :)
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