After my last post, which was admittedly depressing, I received tons of love, support, and happy thoughts from my friends and followers. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so thoughtful. I’m feeling more like myself every day.
One common thread in those supportive messages was the encouragement to get back on the road again. After spending the last few months desperately wanting to come home (and to crawl under my bed and never come out again), traveling was not high on my priority list.
… But that didn’t last long. I’m taking a trip in early April, and I’ll let you guess where I’m headed.
One little hint: Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Some photos of an earlier trip to the mystery destination:
altrunomics 
It’s got to be Ireland. I just love those old photos. ❤ As much as everyone can try and put a vintage/film roll filter onto pics these days, you can't beat the real thing. 😀
Have fun in Ireland! One of the most fascinating things about Ireland is the language. It’s nice to listen to, but not to read. 🙂
Thanks Bama! I agree, Irish is a beautiful language. It makes me think about fairies and fantasy novels. My grandparents used to know it (their schooling was in Irish up till 8th grade), but never used it much, so they forgot. I’m thinking about studying it just for fun and Irish pride. 🙂
I love Ireland. Happy you’re feeling better. Take the time and be kind to yourself.
Lovely to see old family photos…they looked like simple, happy times! Hope you are well and enjoying recapturing that travel mojo 🙂
I just started reading your blog, and I’m so happy to know I’ll see new travel pictures soon Glad you’re doing better!
Thank you, Sarah!
I’m so happy you received such positive encouragement; we all need that from time to time.
Ireland! I cannot wait to go there one day and I love how you shared photos from your past experience there; looking forward to reading about your new experience. Cheers to you and chin up, you have many who support you from both near and far. Be well!
Thank you for your support, Cheerio! I’m so excited to get back to Ireland. I think this will be my fourth or fifth trip there, but the first as an “adult”. Can’t wait to share the experience here!
Yay for you, Meghan! That’s a trip that I would love to make! And I’m glad that you are getting back to being you…Stay encouraged! It’s funny how such different people can experience the same types of issues but we all find ways to bounce back. I look forward to reading more about your adventures!
Very true, Ronnie. Everyone has ups and downs, and this year was a long steady down for me… but at least I’m on the upswing again! Looking forward to getting back to my usual adventures. 🙂 Thanks so much for your kind words.
Good for you! And have great fun!
I was so happy to see this post in my in box. Great to hear, good on you Meghan! Have a great trip and look forward to some more pictures and good news! Take care. xx
Thank you Su, I think it will be a great trip. And I’ll take photos galore!
Being on the road is great. I have to go on the road on Friday.. but this will not be a strict pleasure trip
I hope you find some pleasure in it regardless, Rajiv. Thanks!
I think reenactments of these photos are in order. Eel-fishing and frolicking among cows, at the very least. 😉
That’s a great idea! I’ll be sure to bring props. 🙂
Before I look back at your previous posts, I wanted to say I’m glad things are looking up for you.
And I’m loving these old photos. Adorable!
Getting a little better ever day. 🙂 Thanks Loni!
You should try to fly into Shannon if you can, it’s so much more welcoming than the traditional Dublin/ Belfast routes and it can make for a far more interesting itinerary! Hope you enjoy yourself, and glad to see that the travel spark is alive and well. 🙂
Thank you, wakeorsleep! Actually I did book tickets into Shannon, from Newark. My family is from Counties Kerry and Clair, not far from Shannon, so we always fly into that airport rather than Dublin. In fact, I’ve never been to Dublin or Belfast, but I’m fixing that this time around! Big hugs. 🙂
Follow you’re heart and your gut!
I sure try! 🙂 That reminds me of a great (but very long!) quote from Donna Tartt’s “The Goldfinch”, which I read a few months ago:
“A great sorrow, and one that I am only beginning to understand: we don’t get to choose our own hearts. We can’t make ourselves want what’s good for us or what’s good for other people. We don’t get to choose the people we are.
Because–isn’t it drilled into us constantly, from childhood on, an unquestioned platitude in the culture–? From William Blake to Lady Gaga, from Rousseau to Rumi to Tosca to Mister Rogers, it’s a curiously uniform message, accepted from high to low: when in doubt, what to do? How do we know what’s right for us? Every shrink, every career counselor, every Disney princess knows the answer: “Be yourself.” “Follow your heart.”
Only here’s what I really, really want someone to explain to me. What if one happens to be possessed of a heart that can’t be trusted–? What if the heart, for its own unfathomable reasons, leads one willfully and in a cloud of unspeakable radiance away from health, domesticity, civic responsibility and strong social connections and all the blandly-held common virtues and instead straight toward a beautiful flare of ruin, self-immolation, disaster?…If your deepest self is singing and coaxing you straight toward the bonfire, is it better to turn away? Stop your ears with wax? Ignore all the perverse glory your heart is screaming at you? Set yourself on the course that will lead you dutifully towards the norm, reasonable hours and regular medical check-ups, stable relationships and steady career advancement the New York Times and brunch on Sunday, all with the promise of being somehow a better person? Or…is it better to throw yourself head first and laughing into the holy rage calling your name?”
I love this! Definitely words to live by.
Buenas ondas, buenas ondas… have fun in Ireland!
Buenas ondas are exactly what I need right now, Nico! Gracias. 🙂
Ireland! What fun. I went once when I was 16 to Dublin but I would love to go back. I have family that just went in February and they are going back in July. I can vouch that most Irish people are pretty awesome and the most important thing is that (I think) they also think women are pretty awesome too. They’ve had several female presidents (at least I know for sure the president was a woman back when I went in 2004).
I totally agree Amelie! I love Ireland and Irish people… although I have a bit of a bias, being Irish myself. 😉 This will be my 4th trip, but it will be the first time I’ve ventured out of the southwest and visited Dublin. I’m also planning a visit to the North, to Belfast. I’m dangling this trip like a carrot in front of me, using it to get me of my butt and moving toward a happier future.
It sounds like the “old” you is back! I’m glad you found your mojo!
Haha thank you Kerwyn. Yes, the mojo has been located. Currently working on recapturing it. 😉
As long as you already know where to look, things are good. Besides, you already have plans to sip shamrock shakes soon. You’ll be fine! 😉