Traveling, Traveling, To and Fro

Confession: this post has been sitting unfinished in my drafts for quite a while. I kept doing a little here and there, but never actually finishing it. I'm finally doing it now. You know, because I should be sleeping.

This post is especially fitting because I'm taking off tomorrow night for another trip. I'll share more details, but for now enjoy learning about the travel I've done.

I've seen a few people fill out this little survey and thought I'd play along.  I haven't done a ton of international travel, but enough that it's fun to look back on.

A. Age you went on your first overseas trip: Out of the country was probably 11 or 12.

B. Best (foreign) beer you've had and where: Guinness in Ireland was pretty amazing. I also really like cider in Great Britain.

C. Cuisine (favorite): This is the worst possible question. I love food, all kinds.

D. Destinations, favorite, least favorite and why:

E. Event you experienced abroad that made you say 'wow!': ziplining in Costa Rica, ringing the bells at Christchurch in Dublin, climbing to the top of St. Paul's in London,

F. Favorite mode of transport: train in Europe.

G. Greatest feeling while traveling: contentment tinged with excitement and a little bit of tired.

H. Hottest place you've traveled: Palm Springs in the summer. The pool didn't even have 'no running' signs.

I. Incredible service you've experienced and where: our hotel in Mayfair--the Chesterfield--in London. We got one complimentary bottle of wine because there was going to be a party next door and they wanted to apologize for any inconvenience in advance.

J. Journey that took the longest: Seattle to Dingle last summer. Between the flights, long layover and drive from the airport to our destination in Ireland it was well over 24 hours. I'm just glad I didn't fall asleep while trying to navigate the wrong side of the road.

K. Keepsake from your travels: I have a necklace that my mom got for me in Ireland that I absolutely love. It's a celtic knot and just gorgeous.

L. Let down sight, where and why: Warwick Castle in England. It's been rehabbed into a family theme park type event. I much prefer ruins.

M. Moment where you fell in love with travel: I grew up traveling quite a bit in North America and have always enjoyed it. I don't know that I can point to one moment.

N. Nicest hotel you've stayed in: In London I stayed at the hotel mentioned previously. It was ridiculously nice.

O. Obsession - what are you obsessed with taking pictures of while traveling: I love scenery, skylines, wide angle shots.

P. Passport stamps - how many and from where: Um, five? Ireland, Finland, Amsterdam, Costa Rica, and the U.S. I am hoping to add a few more.

Q. Quirkiest attraction you've visited and where: The cathedral in Helsinki has a rotating art display in the catacombs. It was cool, literaltively (literally and figuratively--my sister, cousin, and I decided one word was better).

R. Recommended sight, event, or experience: Zip lining through the rain forest in Costa Rica, the walking tour in Kinsale, Ireland, and checking out Banff--or anywhere in the Canadian Rockies. Gorgeous!

S. Splurge - something you have no problem forking over money for while traveling: A comfy bed. A good meal (though not always, just enough to keep spirits up).

T. Touristy thing you've done: My entire trip to Europe this summer. There wasn't much I did that wasn't touristy.

U. Unforgettable travel memory: Kayaking up a river and then hiking to a waterfall on Kauai. Pretty cool.

V. Visas - how many and for where: I haven't had one...yet.

W. Wine - best glass of wine you've had while traveling and where: wine tasting with my dad was a really fun experience.

X. eXcellent view and from where: From the top of St. Paul's Cathedral in London. Awesome!

Y. Years spent traveling: I grew up traveling some in the summers, a perk of my dad being in education. My first trips over the border were into Canada and Mexico. I've also been to Costa Rica and Europe (Ireland, Great Britain, Finland, and Estonia).

Z. Zealous sports fans and where: I saw the Canadian semifinal hockey game during the Vancouver Olympics. It was crazy how focused the entire city was. They had been closely following the curling match right before too.