Ireland is one of the most accessible countries for Americans on the east coast. No visa requirements, countless nonstop flights, and relatively short flight times all contribute to the validity of this statement. For me, it was an easy introduction to traveling outside of the North American continent – limited language barrier, helpful and friendly citizens, and relative ease of seeing a lot in a short timeframe.
I discovered many things from this week on the Emerald Isle – many right, some wrong (to be discussed at a later time). What I didn’t expect is that I would be set on a new lifetime goal and desire to travel and travel as much as I could.
Where I Began
Growing up, the travel I embarked on was pretty typical of families in our area within a similar socioeconomic standing. Visits to the lake, campsites, and the beach dotted my childhood, and it was enjoyable. For many, this is good enough for a lifetime, and I cannot argue with personal preference. For me, this was just the foundation. A building block.
Post high school was a pivotal time. College visits took me to New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, ultimately leading to a year spent in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York. Before transferring to a university, I took a gap year. For those in America, look it up. Consider it. It became a time of maturity, self-growth, and travel.
During the gap, I took my first flight ever (and by myself no less) to Chicago. I made multiple roadtrips between Texas and Pennsylvania. The travel felt freeing. Though it was only domestically, the introduction of my own diverse country was eye-opening. In college, another roadtrip stretched to the width of the country – Santa Barbara, CA back to Pennsylvania. The spring semester of my senior year, I lived in San Diego, CA.
Post college – Texas again, Michigan, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Georgia. Right after getting married and returning from the Caribbean honeymoon, my wife and I moved to North Carolina, which commenced the convenience of southern states to visit.
I have finally reached the precipice. In 2022, my wife and I had the opportunity to plan the aforementioned trip to Ireland.
What I Have Learned
All of this is not to brag about all of the states I have been to or the chances I have had to travel internationally. I wish to neither judge those that don’t want to travel nor glorify those that have been to more places than many people know exist.
I merely aim to show my journey in travel and provide reason for the broad range of travel topics that Common Cents Kyle will cover.
Travel can be scary and intimidating, and honestly without the gift of going to Ireland virtually free of expenses, I may have still never made the leap. So, while I still get scared and intimidated to explore new places, I can not refute the fact that the rewards and personal growth received far outweigh all else.
Come along with me, as I fulfill my goal (and hopefully birth a goal for you) to travel more.
