It's time again for what seems to be becoming my annual trip to Ireland. This is Trip #4 in as many years, and my third to Dublin. As long as US Airways keeps making it so easy to go with so few frequent-flyer miles (30,000), I'll continue to take advantage of the situation. Coupled with the more favorable exchange rate (sorry, Europe), and what will surely be some grand music at the Temple Bar TradFest, it's a trip I can afford and can't wait to begin.
One of the nicer aspects of continued visits is making new friends. This time I'm looking forward to seeing Ben and Darán and Mae who I've met on previous trips.
My nemesis in all of this is my fear of flying. Fortunately it hasn't yet prevented me from actually going anywhere, and a little bit of Atavan goes a long way to calming my nerves. Still, I wish I could enjoy the journey as much as the arrival. Two trips ago, on my return flight from Dublin, we suffered through 2 solid hours of rough turbulence over the Atlantic. You'd think that experience--well, surviving it--would have just put the kaibosh on any fears I might have, but still it persists. Sigh. Off we go anyway.
Right now I'm sitting in the US Airways Club in Philadelphia International Airport. I used a free voucher to get in to this exclusive club. The food and drinks are free, there's free wifi, very comfy seats and other lounge-y things, and everyone is just so nice here. There are still the boorish guys with their veryimportantcellphoneconversations, but have a glass of wine, and it all seems just a tad bit more civilized. This is making my 5-hour layover rather enjoyable.*
I'm loaded down with tons of technology: my laptop, iPad, iPhone, a mobile phone that will work in Ireland, and a portable wifi device to use if needed. I also brought my little pocket-sized Sony digital camera, but left my stalwart-and-steady digital SLR at home this time. I may come to regret that decision, but I feel this trip is more about the music than the touring. In that spirit, I fit my bodhran in my suitcase, padded it with lots of clothes, and hope it will survive the trip as it did last time.
More upon my arrival...feel free to join me on the journey!
*Veterans of this blog will recall my missing my layover last trip, and having to wait another day to get to Dublin. I wasn't going to let that happen this time!
Right now I'm sitting in the US Airways Club in Philadelphia International Airport. I used a free voucher to get in to this exclusive club. The food and drinks are free, there's free wifi, very comfy seats and other lounge-y things, and everyone is just so nice here. There are still the boorish guys with their veryimportantcellphoneconversations, but have a glass of wine, and it all seems just a tad bit more civilized. This is making my 5-hour layover rather enjoyable.*
I'm loaded down with tons of technology: my laptop, iPad, iPhone, a mobile phone that will work in Ireland, and a portable wifi device to use if needed. I also brought my little pocket-sized Sony digital camera, but left my stalwart-and-steady digital SLR at home this time. I may come to regret that decision, but I feel this trip is more about the music than the touring. In that spirit, I fit my bodhran in my suitcase, padded it with lots of clothes, and hope it will survive the trip as it did last time.
More upon my arrival...feel free to join me on the journey!
*Veterans of this blog will recall my missing my layover last trip, and having to wait another day to get to Dublin. I wasn't going to let that happen this time!
Comments
Post a Comment