“They can kick us out, but I’m stealing the chocolate!” ~ Clare, Day 2
Medieval Hospitality in Marin County
Walking Holiday in Marin County
“Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time.” ~ Steven Wright
All avid fans of hiking or long distance walking share something in common. They understand that you must walk to truly experience and see a place. Sure, a car or bike will get you there quicker and allow you to see more places, but those modes of travel don’t allow you to see more OF a place. In our modern world where everything seems to move at lightning speed, is it no wonder people are craving slow travel? In a world driven by consumerism and the desire for more, is it surprising that someone like me would seek travel that focuses on meaningful experiences rather than a sightseeing checklist?
Slow travel doesn’t mean you move at the pace of a sloth — it’s a mindset, a different way of looking at vacation.
Spontaneity
Something you must know about my husband and I: he is an engineer and I’m a librarian. We are planners and organizers at our very core. Our coffee cup handles line up perfectly in the cabinet and our spice rack is a thing of beauty to behold. Our trip itineraries and notes are detailed enough to be travel guides. Needless to say, when we plan for a trip we probably OVER plan. This has never been a problem for us, since we both love to research and find that research in itself is a way of travelling.
I never realized, however, how much our detailed planning sometimes hindered us from being spontaneous.
On our way home from Dingle Ireland while waiting for a connecting flight in Boston, Eric and I did something we’ve never done before: we left the airport. We had been to Boston before and remembered a cafe in Little Italy that we loved. With no plans whatsoever (other than our destination), we hopped on the “T” and found ourselves sipping cappuccinos and eating fluffy tiramisu at Caffe Vittoria. Then we leisurely walked back via Hanover & Cross Streets to Faneuil Hall Marketplace, where a lively outdoor market was in full swing. We ate at a food truck (without looking it up first in Yelp) and then made our way back to the airport in time for our flight.
This may not sound like much of an adventure to many, but for those who know us it was totally out of character. This unscripted moment was when we realized that Ireland had truly changed us and the way we think about travel. Sometimes it’s best not to research. Sometimes you just need to use your feet and go outside and explore.