First impressions – Galway town

I’ve only visited Galway once before and it was very brief, maybe an afternoon at best. For all intents and purposes, this is my first time here and everything is new. Except, of course, for the friends who are also here on holiday from Albany, that I got share a meal with last night. Small … Continue reading First impressions – Galway town

First impressions – Dublin, 2019

Yesterday was the first time I’ve visited Dublin since 2013. Here’s what struck me... I heard an amazing array of languages and saw numerous ethnic markets as I walked the streets for hours. The 3-day visitor’s trip transit pass is a great deal at 19.50 It’s dirtier than I remember it being. There seems to … Continue reading First impressions – Dublin, 2019

Before the Notre Dame fire…

I never imagined a Paris without Notre Dame. I didn’t know how much I admired that centuries old building. I wouldn’t have predicted how sad I would feel to see it aflame. I wasn’t interested in reading Victor Hugo. I didn’t truly appreciate how fortunate I was to have visited a cathedral and lit a … Continue reading Before the Notre Dame fire…

Grow strong

I saw something on the Facebook the other day on a page I follow. It’s a gardening/flower appreciation sort of page and there was a post about how important it is to prune plants because otherwise the parts which are struggling to stay alive will prevent the healthier parts from flourishing. It’s something that I, … Continue reading Grow strong

Headed to Ireland’s half light with a full heart

After a nearly six year absence, I’m visiting Ireland this month. It would take some effort, and both hands, to count the number of times I’ve traveled to the country where my father was born, yet I’m about as excited as I was on that first trip to the Emerald Isle. Back then, all flights … Continue reading Headed to Ireland’s half light with a full heart