Reflections

We were only on the Dingle Peninsula for 8 days, but when we took the bus back to Shannon Airport it felt like we were leaving roots behind.  At the Boston Airport, we were immediately barraged by news coverage of the 2016 presidential campaign (and all the drama that entailed).  Eric and I’s instincts were screaming at us to “go back!”  Now typically, by the time our vacations are over we’re ready to be home.  But this trip was different and there were several reasons why.  For one, it was the longest vacation we had ever taken and it was in a place far removed from our home and workplace.  We had very little exposure to the outside world (no TV, little internet) and the bulk of our trip was spent outdoors in remote locations.  The people of Dingle ran the gamut of jolly, content, and cantankerous — but they all seemed to have a peace about them…a sense that they were happy with their place in life.

Transitioning from this to our busy, grasping American life was like stepping out of a paradise directly into a war zone.  I was shell-shocked.