(Mother's trip to Ireland) Odds and Ends, Ireland, July 2023

The trip was everything I had dreamed about for many years. The Irish people were so friendly and helpful. It felt strange driving on the left side of the road with the steering wheel on the right side of the car. My friend caught on quickly to the narrow roads and roundabouts. I had lived in England for 4 years so I was more comfortable driving than she. 

The lush green fields and beautiful flowers were a delight. We did not plan to go to large cities with museums and cathedrals but to enjoy the people,  their customs, their culture and their ways of life. We saw no trash or old cars parked in the yards but found the Irish are proud of their country, their homes and well-kept property. The homes were lovely, some very large, others small cottages. It was a real delight to spend a week there. We also met many other tourists in our Bed and Breakfast each day  as well as in the places we visited. 

I am so sorry my granddaughter did not get to go with me. We both applied for passport renewal back in March not knowing there was an extraordinary waiting period this summer because people all over the USA were eager to travel out of country after being cooped up with Covid restrictions. I truly hope she has another chance to visit Ireland. 

As a senior citizen with a number of health problems, I doubt I am able to make another trip overseas. I have been privileged to live in Germany in the 60s, in Italy in the 70s and England in the 80s with my military husband. Each country was an adventure. I loved it all. I think that is why my son, Teacher Carl, enjoys teaching English as 2nd language to students all over the world. He too loves to travel, learning about other cultures and people from all over the world.