Well, well, well, Kossacks. Old Abe and I are back from our highly-anticipated trip to Ireland. After spending yesterday tucked warmly in my bed recovering from jet-lag, I'm firing up the keyboard to give you all an overview of my discoveries.
DISCLAIMER: I am a neophyte traveler, so much of what you read in here may not come as much of a surprise to some/most you. I, on the other hand, came away with a new awareness of many things. I hope you'll bear with me...And also, Old Abe and I will need to vacate the house shortly so I may not be on thread as much as I'd like.
First, let me state this: I am now, firmly and wholeheartedly, in love with Ireland. When I fell in love with my husband and had to be separated from him for the first time, I cried like a baby. And when I had to leave Ireland, I cried my heart out as well. I pine for it, I miss it, and I wish I hadn't had to leave.
This diary is the first in a multi-part series I plan to write about our travels. Some of the issues I'll talk about include social justice, environmentalism, employment and housing. The environmental stuff may turn into a miniseries of its own, as the things I saw and did there were far different from life here, even in this most liberal of blue states.
Today's topic will be traveling in another country while in the company of fellow Americans. We took a bus tour the second week we were there and were accompanied by a number of American couples and individuals. I noticed several things:
- For the most part, we were all well-behaved and interested in another culture (to the extent that it's different)
- Some of us were cultural imperialists in every sense, from making smarmy comments at Newgrange about pagan burial practices to whining about the food. I found myself ashamed several times.
- There were a number of "American Patriot" blow hards who were loud, self-important, and oafish in their expression of "Yeah, great place to visit, but America could still kick your ass". Again, I was wholly embarrassed.
I return to corporate life after having lost my job back in December, so my series will be irregular at best. I hope you'll read it.
Slainte!
P.S. To all you Kossacks who invited me to have a pint of Guinness for you, rest assured I drank at least a keg of it. The crap we get here in the States is just that. Also, to Mem from Somerville, the tour guide pointed out the "Four Faced Liar" and I thought of you instantly. And lastly, for those of you who were so instructive prior to my departure, we did indeed make it to both Galway and Donegal. We liked Galway a LOT....