travelenvelope: July 16, Dublin

See the World for Free

The idea here is to TRAVEL THE WORLD regardless of time or budget. It dawned on me one day that even if I had unlimited time and money (which I definitley do not), I still couldn't see everything in the world that I'd like to see--I'm simply not going to live long enough to do it.

But I had a bit of brain wave and soon after the travel envelope was born. This is an actual physical envelope. I typed the name of every country in the world, plus every state in the US on little slips of paper which I then put into the envelope. In the beginning we (myself, my husband, Dave and daugher Catherine) would draw out a slip at random at the beginning of the month and that's where we would go---at least in our minds. We grab some books about the country from the library and put them in our bathroom to look at. We also check out some videos about the country if any. We check it out on googleearth, listen to the music, try the food, maybe even attempt to learn a dance or celebrate a festival.

After the first two years we discovered that even virtual traveling can be tiring, so we travel now whenever I happen to be in the mood.

It's great fun. I especially love it when people I meet have been to the place I'm "visiting" in real life, or get excited and have some virtual adventures of their own. I hope that anyone who comes across this blog will feel welcome to come with us on the trip!

You have a standing reservation to see it all!

Jul 16, 2015

July 16, Dublin

Safely in Dublin. Inspired this quote from Catherine.

"Never the bed and early to rise, makes for a day that starts too early for anything to be open."

I knew Ireland had sheep, but I had something a little different in mind.

Next she saw the Book of Kells (lovely illuminated manuscript of the four gospels plus commentary text), believed to have been created around 800 A.D.

And she saw trinity college--with this library to die for. She says if the regular, work-a-day library was this impressive she'd transfer in a heartbeat. Me too.

This is the famed "Long Room"

She stopped at Sweny Pharmacy of Ulysses fame. At least I recognized the title--although the thought of actually reading it makes me shudder. It's now cute little place where they do James Joyce readings.

Next up the national gallery.

This gallery has a wonderful program. After you visit and are feeling inspired, they let you check out art kits with paper and pencils and pastels and notebooks so can can draw or write and then take your creation home.