Have you ever been to a place that was so amazing you just had to share? Here’s one.
John and I were fortunate enough to attend a concert here as the sun set on these ancient stained glass windows. Read about it here.
My mother and I recently enjoyed a long-awaited tour of Ireland. All in all it was a delightful trip, as long as you don’t count the part where I was held hostage in the Shannon airport. I have no one to blame for this international incident but myself . . . well actually, I could blame my mother. She’s the one who put one name on my birth certificate then called me something entirely different for the rest of my life. As a result, I don’t think in terms of my given name, unless I’m applying for something official like a driver’s license.
This was my first mistake – putting my Christian name on my driver’s license. It seemed like the thing to do at the time but has caused me untold amounts of trouble over the years since the name on my license never matches anything else. My second mistake was in putting my nickname on my airline tickets. Continue reading
By Geanie Roake
Traveling from Chicago’s O’Hare airport to its miniature equivalent in Shannon Ireland is like stepping into another dimension. While the two airports are polar opposites – finely tuned chaos compared to small-town bustle – it’s the shift in scenery that takes your breath away. Chicago, a major metropolis of towering concrete, percolates with honking horns and harried people. Ireland on the other hand, embodies peace and lush green beauty.
County Clare
Our ten-day bus tour of Southern Ireland began in the rural area of County Clare, where the countryside is dotted with traditional cottages, lush valleys, and ancient stone buildings. There are over 300 hundred castles, or the remains of such, in County Clare alone. It’s not unusual to see a country farmhouse sitting a stone’s throw from a crumbling 12th century cathedral, the farmer’s cows grazing peacefully among the
ruins. Continue reading
Chicago’s O’Hare airport is an interesting place, but not for seven hours. My mother and I came to this conclusion ten minutes into our long layover there. We were en-route to Shannon Ireland, and while not excited about our down time, we were also uneasy about leaving the airport. What if we got lost or mugged, and didn’t make it back in time to catch our flight? But the alternative of playing solitaire and wandering aimlessly for seven hours was unthinkable. We decided to throw caution to the wind and set out for the City of Chicago.
Our first stop was the tourist information booth at the airport. We asked the attendant what she would do in our situation and without hesitation she said, “Go to Millennium Park”. It sounded good to us, and best of all, it was easy. We got on the blue line and stayed put until we reached Forest Park, (a 35 to 40-minute ride).
This is the second half of a post on touring Ireland. To Drive – should we rent a car and brave the roads? Or Be Driven – take a bus tour? Part 1 looked at the pros and cons of renting a car and driving. Today we talk about bus tours.
To drive or be driven, that was the question when my mother and I planned our trip to Ireland. Should we do the “typical tourist” thing and sign up for a bus tour? Or be independent, and strike out on our own in a rental car?
Unfortunately my impressions of bus tours were not very positive. I had visions of being shuffled from one tourist trap to another by a cranky guide with an incomprehensible accent.
Driving, on the other hand, held it’s own perils. People in Ireland drive on the “wrong” side, and their farm animals tend to materialize without warning in front of your car. Of course driving would give me the freedom to see exactly what I wanted, but that was only if I dared to pry my eyes from the road.
Since the entire outcome of my once-in-a-lifetime trip rested on this decision, and I was not an experienced traveler, I decided to consult others who were. Their opinions were many and varied. “If you’ve never been to Ireland before,” said a travel agent friend, “take the bus. It’s easier and more relaxing.” Upon hearing this, a co-worker recoiled in horror. “Don’t take a bus tour! It costs more and you’re stuck with strangers!” “But gas is $6.00 a gallon in Ireland,” said another. “You should go on a walking tour.”
After listening to the experts I decided I was more confused than ever. The time had come to call in the big guns, the heavy-duty problem solving artillery. This decision called for . . . a list of pros and cons!
I love to see new places. My motto – have money will travel. The only problem with that is the have money part. As we are experiencing a slight shortage of the green right now , my husband and I, along with the Lambs – our travel friends – have decided to explore our own corner of the world. Continue reading
