The Luck of The Irish: Dublin

A friend of mine from England was surprised to hear that I was going to Dublin. If I remember correctly the statement she made was “They’ll call you a Ni**a in a heartbeat!” In her British accent. So already I was thinking, What did I get myself into?...

Yet when I got to Ireland, I experienced the complete opposite. Nothing but the kindest, most helpful and prideful people. A lot of people there are very knowledgeable about their Irish culture and history. As an American I forget how young of a country we are, but in Ireland they have buildings, artifacts, and stories from thousands of years ago. The Irish greet you with Hellos and have no problem giving you directions. Seriously just ask! 

Trinity College



The first day in I arrived at the Ashfield Hostel early. So I decided to check my bags in and just wonder around the city. It was freezing for August, I had purchase a scarf and sweater just to bare the cold. Clearly I didn’t check the weather before I went and I didn’t carry a Vitamin C with me. Both which were suggested by my friends before I left. But I’m stubborn…. I’m working on it.

 

 My first location was Trinity College which inhabits the Book of Kells. The Book of Kells is one of the oldest and most illustrated Bible pieces written. The library that holds it is super old, there are books from floor to ceiling. It was some real Harry Potter type stuff.

 

My next stop was Guinness StoreHouse and let me tell you the Irish love their Guinness! I had Guinness Chips, Guinness Pot Pie, Ummmm the actual Guinness. Name it, they have Guinness in it. Don’t even mention to the bartender that you don’t like Guinness. I quote the Bartender, “Yeah because we sell crap batches elsewhere, and we keep the best for ourselves.” And this seems to be true because after 1 glass of Guinness, I was kind of buzzzzzzzzing. Beer is not really my thing but when in Ireland…. (You know the rest!)

Showing How to Pour the perfect glass of Guinness

 

Throughout the trip I visited The Archeology Museum of Ireland, The St. Patrick Cathedral and the Cliffs of Moher. I honestly felt safe enough to just wonder around Ireland. Transportation is affordable and easy. The pricing of food was fairly similar to New York pricing. Only 1 odd time when this guy walks up to me to ask if I spoke English. Which I found strange because English is the #1 spoken language there and #2 is their native language Irish/Celtic. So, I just shook my head "no" and kept it moving.

Anywho, I decided to do the Cliffs of Moher, just to get a taste of that greenery that I was dreaming about. And it’s AMAZING! It’s like stepping into a Irish Folklore. If you go to Dublin, You definitely have to visit the countrysides. It’s just amazing to see how Mother Nature creates itself. (Check out more photos on my Facebook Page)

Cliffs of Moher

 

In the hostel I met 2 young ladies who I was sharing a room with. One just leaving Romania from doing a Roman archeological dig and another traveling in between her conferences for her PHD in communications. Super cool and encouraging chicks. When I meet them I was blown away by the commitments and how effortless they made it seem. So during the 3 days we chatted it up, shared our life stories and did some Pub hopping in the evenings.

All in All, I would say Ireland opened up my desire to learn. In which way? I’m not quite sure. I am definitely not the one for conventional learning in a class room but I'm starting to think twice about it. I left Dublin with a thirst for wanting to know more.

One of the young ladies I meet whom was studying for her PHD was from Canada. She explained how College is already paid for there, so they just keep going!  Which I never thought about because that's not quite the deal in the states but it made complete sense.

Let me ask you, If your college was already paid for...Bachelors, Masters, on to PHD. Would you just keep going?

Coins...!

When I tell people I want to backpack through Western Europe. The first thing that comes to their mind is “Wow, that’s Cool!” and the Second is “You Got Moneeeeeeey….!” (Quinta voice)

I too am a reader of great traveling blogs, being immersed in those stories of people randomly quitting their jobs to live on a remote island for the rest of their lives. And I think “Who’s paying for this?!” Travel Blogs are great but they don’t really tap into the cost of travel or they present that cost, doesn’t matter compared to the richness of knowledge you’ll gain. True, but not realistic.

So I’m gonna tell you now, today that TRAVELING COST MONEY!  This is not to discourage you, there are ways in which you can manage your money and it’s as simple as planning. How did I plan?

This didn’t just happen overnight, nothing really does. This backpacking trip has been developing for a year now and the want to travel has been in me for a lifetime, therefore I make it a priority. I purchased bit by bit. I used my tax return, I used my weekly paychecks and whatever other cash that flowed my way.  First, having your starting point is important because I knew I wanted to start in Ireland I purchased tickets well in advance and to my amazement my ticket was only $500 one way. Yes of course there were lay overs and it took almost half a day to get there. But I stopped in some really great places. Like Toronto and Newfoundland. I mean who can say they ever been to Newfoundland…. I can! From then on bit by bit, paycheck by paycheck I would book another flight, another hostel and before you knew it my expedition was created. Below I took the liberty to break down my travel cost.

Time in Places	Destinations	Flights	Hostel/ Hotel
3 days	To Ireland	$525	$82
3 days	To London	$42	$153
3 days	To Switzerland	$117	$0                       (Stayed w/ Friends)
2 days	To Greece, Mykonos	$170	$319/$160        (Split cost w/ Friend)
2 days	To Santorini	$55 ( by Ferry)	$125/$63          (Split cost w/ Friend)
1 day	To Milos	$55 ( by Ferry)	$66/$33            (Split cost w/ Friend)
1 day	To Athens	$55 ( by Ferry)	$76/$38            (Split cost w/ Friend)
3 days	To Istanbul	$110	$103
	To Home NY	$700

     Travel Cost Total: $2,461.00       Spending Money: $2,000            Trip Total: $4,461

During the trip I allotted my money for meals, landmarks and transportation. Not for shopping, even though it was tempting and not for partying but trust I had some great nights. This trip wasn’t for that, it was to see what each city had to offer and immerse myself in different cultures.



Camden Market, U.K.



Greek Salad and Yogurt in Santorini

Enjoying a fish Pedicure: The most Bizarre feeling ever!

Money Mishaps:We bought the wrong bus tickets, no refunds...




 









The websites that were essential in my travel planning were Skyscanner.net and HostelWorld.com Skyscanner.net is really great in showing you the cheapest options to travel by airline. It also has an option where you can see which month is cheapest to travel for your destination. And an amazing feature titled “Everywhere”, which shows the cheapest destinations for those who aren’t quite sure where to start. From there you’ll notice once you’re in Europe travel and lodging becomes a lot more affordable.

HostelWorld.com is great to see the property, customer ratings of hostels, and the security level of each property. I know when you think of a Hostel, all of the scariest movies that you’ve watched about backpacking comes to mind! Centipede, Taken, Taken 2, Hostel, Taken 3 (And In that order). But it’s nowhere near that! It’s actually very common to stay in a hostel in Europe. Some are very Modern, Clean, and a great way to meet people from all over the world.

Another great option for first time travelers are Tours such as Contiki or Top Deck. They allow you to set up a payment plan and most of the accommodations and meals are included. Plus you may feel a bit more secure knowing that you are a part of group and being accounted for. My first solo gig was a Tour with Contiki through Western Europe. I meet some really great people and it only encouraged me to do it on my own the next go around.

Contiki 2014: On the French Rivera just kidding around

 

 

 

To sum it all up, Backpacking just takes time, planning and money. It’s not some secret formula to it, I’m not a millionaire, and I’m no different than you. Trust if I can do it, You can too. It may look a little different but as long as the goal is achieved, That’s all that matters! At the end of the day ask yourself is traveling important to you?  2. What’s your relationship with money? and 3. What can you do today to start your next Worldly Expedition?

 

Next Stop: Guinness on Everything: My Experiences of Ireland

I’m a Grown Woman!

So I’m guessing you already knew that? But when did it happen?!

So I know 30 isn’t old relatively speaking, yet I do feel the difference in my body, in my decision making, and when I look in the mirror. The good and the bad! And no matter how much I grow, there’s still that little girl in me. She’s cute as a button and she loves buffalo wings with pepper sauce and she loves cuddles but she's also fearful, approval seeking and uncertain (even when she knows she's right). So Grown Woman Shakira has to do random things like deciding to go to Europe for a month solo, just to check who really is in the front seat.

I’m in a place where things are falling apart yet coming together in a unique order. I recently was laid off from my previous position. But I knew it was time to move on. That silent voice, got louder throughout my days and I couldn’t ignore it anymore. “Shakira Go Bitch Go!” So when the opportunity presented itself, I took it. I finally had space to Backpack around Europe!

What better way to learn then spending time with yourself, without comforts, without a social crutch, and without any distraction of just being. I have no choice but to show up, heighten my senses and trust! Being a single woman definitely makes you think twice but who knows what great can come from it. And being a black woman traveling solo is almost a taboo.

So the Woman Shakira had to have a talk with The Girl Shakira. I simple said…. I know you’re scared and I know you don’t quite understand, But I can’t always revert to you, I can’t always hide with you and I can’t live in denial with you.  But I will be there for you, Always!

Decisions… Decisions…

It literally wasn’t much thinking to it, some things you just know. I’ve seen a movie titled “Leap Year” starring Amy Adams, I mean who doesn’t love Confessions of a Shopaholic? Anywho there’s this scene where her love interest proposed to her on the green cliffs on Dublin. It’s not the best movie in the world but the scenic views are gorgeous. So I fell in love with the luscious green postcard worthy snapshots. And I Booked it.

Then I thought…

Ok, well I never been to London and its close by. So London it is.

 

I have a Friend who will be in Switzerland while I travel, so Geneva is next. And we have spoken about the Greek isle numerous times before. So Greece was only right.

 

And I just had to get a taste of Eastern Europe, I heard great thing of Turkey, So the next nearest country Istanbul!

Once I decided, it all started to come together. Once I declared it the universe begin to fabricate it, and once I responded to the still voice the answers began to appear. Won’t he do it!

So let’s discuss my experiences, my thoughts and lessons. Hopefully it will help you to answer the silent still voice that's telling the Grown Woman you what the Girl in you has been trying to avoid.

Next Stop…. How did I do it?