johnsredgloves

After living in BFE for most of my life, I finally ventured out in 1999 and flew to the Emerald Isle. This was no easy task for me, since I’m terrified of flying. I flew non-stop to Newark, NJ, changed planes after a 5 hour layover, and then continued on to Dublin. I didn’t have a guide or any hotel reservations, so food and lodging became a scavenger hunt. I was amazed at the kindness of strangers and the beauty of a place so full of history. Aside from the constant cold and rain, I really fell in love with the place. Hotels were abundant, and the food was some of the freshest I have ever tasted. Fish came fresh from the Atlantic, pulled off of the boats from that very morning. It was a far cry from the “fish and chips” in the states—frozen halibut dipped in beer batter. Outside of the city, the land cried out to be photographed for a postcard. Everything was as green as the plastic grass in an Easter basket, and when the clouds did part for a minute, the sunset was amazing. I will be going back again in December to the south of Ireland this time. I’ll visit Cork and Waterford, and hope to see the crystal factory and Blarney Stone. I will let you know what my adventure brings.