From a young age, I always had something to say. Even at 2 years old, I changed my name and that was that. I was no longer Suzanne, but Suzy. When my words go quiet and I have no comment, no suggestion, no request, I know it is just a block of some kind. This too shall pass and I will be filled with words again. Lately, not only have my words grown quiet, but also my ideas on travel have silenced. After returning from my first complete solo trip to Ireland, I was left empty. It wasn’t that the trip deflated me or left me uninspired. I just couldn’t see past this roadblock. Much like Continue Reading
The Churches in Europe Wish You Were Here
With Easter Sunday just days away, I am reminded of all of the houses of worship I have seen. In Europe, one church after another starts to blend together, especially if you are on some whirlwind tour. Regardless, these spaces evoke a silence and calm away from the rest of the world. Even if you aren’t a religious person, you can appreciate the architecture, history and peace that comes while sitting in a pew. St. Kevin’s Church, Glendalough, Ireland St. Kevin’s Church in Glendalough Ireland has that rugged appeal. The saint set up a monastic site here around 570 A.D. In the Continue Reading
Travel Contest: Let’s Travel Together, Or Not
Most travel writers seldom invite their readers along on their travels. Costs probably deter those invitations. Then again, if all of the readers came along, we wouldn’t have much to write about. However, let’s change that, if you want to of course. Travel adventure company Austin Lehman named me one of their top 125 travel bloggers. With such an honor, Austin Lehman is giving away a $5,000 credit for two on one of their adventures to a reader from one of those top travel blogs. Obviously, I would like it to be you and from my site. In case you are curious about what kind of credit you Continue Reading
A Little Taste of My Travels in Ireland
I had an old map of Ireland with me on my month in the country. After each drive, I would highlight my route in green, perhaps reflecting my greenness in solo travel or the country’s predominate color. I wanted to get a sense of where I started and where I ended up. When I got home, I unfolded my map. Being so fearful of driving on the left side of the road on my first day, I had to give myself a pat on the back for traveling full circle in Ireland, both literally and figuratively. I conquered a number of fears in Ireland, traveling solo, driving in a foreign country. The list goes on. I Continue Reading
Teelin, Ireland Wishes You Were Here
A redhead behind the wheel, complete with a tan trench coat sounds a bit like a scene from a bad romantic comedy involving Ireland. Bad romantic comedy or my reality, there were often moments on my month in Ireland I felt like I was in a movie. My day in Teelin had that tone. Teelin sits in County Donegal, so small you probably wouldn’t know it is a town. The only reason I know of Teelin is for family. My great grandfather was from Teelin and he is buried here. My mom’s second cousin Gene still occupies a farmhouse in Teelin, where 5 generations of his family have lived. Without a call Continue Reading
How The Ireland Budget Came and Went
Before I left for Ireland, I detailed how I was budgeting for a month in the country. I received tips and insight from others who had traveled throughout Ireland. I thought I knew what to expect money-wise. However, you really don’t know until you travel what will be a surprise expense and what won’t be. To help others planning a trip to Ireland, here are a few surprises I found about the country. Food prices are astronomical As a solo traveler, I figured I wouldn’t be spending that much on food as in Italy, I could always find a pizza for 5 euros or a plate of pasta for 7 euros. I had Continue Reading
Just One Please
“Are you looking for inspiration?” he said. I nodded as he gave my passport a beating with a green stamp. “Well, good luck.” I wasn’t exactly sure what border control had in mind. Was it a good “good luck” or one more of sarcasm? It quickly didn’t matter as my days in Ireland came and went. After spending a month in the country traveling solo, I am now a firm believer in taking a trip alone, however big or small. While the customs agent was referring to my occupation as a writer, for me, the inspiration I was looking for was not just for my job but also for myself. Solo travel can only make Continue Reading