IRELAND: THE PLANNING

In my humble opinion, a person is able to enjoy each vacation at least three times.  For example:

Enjoyment Level I--The Planning Phase:   This is definitely a magical time for us.  It's our time for guide books, maps, Rick Steves, Rudy Maxa, AAA, and any web site ending in .ie.  Our days will be sunny, our beer will be cold, our money will stretch, and our luggage (despite a mere 90 minutes between flights at Chicago's O'Hare) will be in our cargo hold.  It's a good time!

Ever the control freak--moi?--I'm the chief planner of this journey.  It's a shocker after the Vermont episode, I know, but even that turned out pretty well despite everything.  However, I've eschewed Craig's List for Rick Steves and I'm confident that's a positive mid-course correction.  I've also collected itineraries from a number of travel companies and they provide a great guide.  They tell me where we must go, then Rick Steves tells us which are rip-offs, and AAA confirms one or the other opinion.  We're going with a two out of three consensus.  Sorry, Rick, but BC has his heart set on kissing the Blarney Stone!

A huge problem (worth too many frustrated afternoons) has been the time factor.  We have an actual 17 days for the land portion of our journey but Rick Steves' ideal time frame is 23 days while Brendan Travel can do it in 12.  But neither tour visits The Dunbrody Famine Ship near New Ross to examine its computerized file of immigrants who sailed on such "coffin ships."  And, sadly, neither tour really allots the time to stand at the port of Cobh while carrying the woolen shawl lovingly tucked around the shoulders of a tiny twelve year old County Westmeath waif in 1856.  That little girl (my great-grandmother) was sent to America, by herself, with her parents knowing full well they would never see her again. We'll take all the time they deserve.

Some travelers visit Ireland for its legendary beauty while others are deep into Irish history.  Many come for the camaraderie and music of the pubs, while the literati seek inspiration from the land of Yeats and James Joyce.  A few have embarked on a pilgrimage hoping to find a link that ties them to unknown cousins, uncles or grandparents.  I think we're hoping for a little of each.

And that time problem?  It will work itself out.

Wait! That covered planning, but I nearly forgot the other two ways in which we will enjoy this vacation: Enjoyment Level II of course, will be the actual trip itself. The going and coming and everything that fits in between.

And Level III? Well, that's the remembering. Sitting on the porch swing and asking...."Do you remember the time...?" That's one of the best levels (although they're all good)...because, God willing, we'll be able to remember and reminisce far longer than either the vacation itself or the current phase of planning.