In my last post I wrote about my previous endeavors into genealogy. Up until a few months ago, I had absolutely 0 intentions of jumping back into this hobby. I had just completed 6 months of full-throttle work at the office while simultaneously attending an intensive, fast-paced graduate course in economics. By the end I was beyond relieved to be free from deadlines and vowed to focus on myself for the next few months.
From a physical health standpoint, I created a workout and diet plan consisting of daily walks and frozen meals that were both healthy and easy to prepare. For my mental health I started gearing up to write my plastic canvas sewing lesson plan book; I had even gotten as far as having checked out a couple of books from the library on the history and diversity of world textiles to draft the background of cross-stitching for my introductory chapter.
However, before I could start either health journeys properly, my husband planned for us to go to Austria to visit family and he invited several friends of ours to join. Instead of writing, I ended up playing with our nephews at theme and water parks, exploring nature, and taking day trips to Hallstatt, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.
Not a bad alternative by any means, but it did keep me from much-needed alone time to substantially recharge. And I knew this was going to happen before we even left for the airport, so I hastily planned a one-week vacation after Austria to get away from everything and everyone. I wanted to be the only one controlling my schedule and deciding where and when to go without being hurried or held back by anyone but myself. And it needed to meet the following requirements:
- No language barriers.
- Safe for solo female travelers.
- Decent public transportation infrastructure.
- New location I’ve never been to before.
- Beautiful scenery.
- Cheap flights.
We know now I ended up choosing Ireland, but I almost chose Scotland. What tipped me to Ireland was a specific tour I had found to the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher. I saw the pictures and before I could even do comparison research on Scotland, I had booked my flights to Dublin and a bus ride to Galway. I just knew I had to go on that specific tour. Seems kind of unfair to Scotland in hindsight, but 1) I have absolutely no buyer's remorse in choosing Ireland, I loved it so much (and that very tour ended up being my favorite day of what was already one of the best weeks of my life) and 2) now I’m even more resolved to go to Scotland in the future (most likely also by myself).
Everything in Ireland was exactly what I wanted on my list, particularly the scenery and all its beauty and variety. You don’t have to be a professional photographer to capture beautiful scenery in Ireland because it’s literally everywhere.
Seriously, what's more relaxing and inspiring than that? But it wasn't just the overwhelming beauty that captured my heart. What really seized my imagination and touched - nay, hugged - my soul was the culture, history, and people of this enchanting country. From the ancient tales whispered by the cobblestone streets to the vibrant traditions that continue to thrive in modern times, every corner seemed to have a story to tell. And the people, with their warmth and hospitality, welcomed me into their homes and cities with open arms. It's an experience I can't wait to share with you in my subsequent posts. So, stay tuned as we embark on a journey through the past and present, exploring the rich tapestry of this extraordinary destination, one blog post at a time.
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