growyourwings

Abandoned in the early morning mist…

Was out and about in the wee hours of the morning up near Everett, Washington and came across these three Volkswagen Bugs abandoned in a field. After days of constant sun, there was a welcome break of rain which brought out the early morning mist in the background.

Oh man, that is a really really tough choice.

A shop window in Venice.

I LOVED Italy.  The food and wine and the history and the liveliness of the people.   We were on a tour by Gate1 (which I can recommend).  I think if I were to go back to Italy, I’d pick one or two places in Italy and just stay there for some time. I was surprised at how much I loved Venice. I thought it would be my least favorite place. So I think I’d like to return to Venice and just stay there for a week in some nice hotel and take the time to really explore the city. I would really like to experience opera for the first time in Venice. And explore all the streets so that by the time I was done, I may even feel like a native. I really liked that it was a city where you could only get around by walking or water bus.  

One of my favorite things in Venice was sitting in the Cafe Florian on San Marco Square and people watching. (Click on photos below for larger images.)

Friends along the Irish countryside in County Longford.

Ireland though, Ireland was special. We rented a car and it was an adventure.  The Irish people are extremely gracious and welcoming. The B&Bs were amazing.  Filled with history and comfort and good food.  We had arranged to spend two days in Dublin, but while in Ireland changed that to stay more in the villages and towns and the countryside.

If we were to go to Ireland again, I would definitely stay out of the larger cities. Other than Galway.  We did go to Galway for a night, but did not get a chance to explore, and I would like to explore it further.  While Bob knew instinctively that he didn’t want to go to any cities, I didn’t realize that until I got there. I really enjoyed the smaller towns and countryside. We also had the advantage of hooking up with Bob’s extended family as his father was born in Ireland.

Galway, Ireland. I would have liked to explored this town further.

Viewmount House B&B in Longford, Ireland

If I absolutely had to choose and could only go to one. I’d have to say Ireland wins out by a nose. I’d take a cruise on the Shannon River, explore Galway, go back to Longford area and visit longer with Bob’s family, explore more in the south of Ireland which we didn’t get to, and perhaps drive most of the coast line, especially the western coastline.  And arrange to tour some more castles; perhaps stay in one.  And I would likely revisit and stay at each of the three of my favorite B&Bs.

I still will be writing summary highlight posts for each segment of our trip and so will cover more about Venice, Florence, and Rome. And of course Ireland.

Exploring the Tubberpatrick cemetary in County Longford

Ireland or Italy?

A good friend emailed me today asking if I had to choose, which of the two countries we visited would I return to first, Ireland or Italy?

What is my “next thing”?

I‘m looking for my “next thing.” My next key focus. Perhaps obsession may be a better word, but I’m not thinking in terms of negative connotation here.

Street art in San Francisco Mission District. I’m searching for a creative focus.

Is it something more in photography? Perhaps, but if so, it hasn’t yet come to me. I’m thinking I may need to adopt a photography project. But I’ve yet to find the…

I’ve been accused in the past of wearing rose-colored glasses because I mostly enjoy experiences, even if there are issues. (Although I’m sure my immediate family would be happy to share that I can also do my share of b*tching behind closed doors ;)  ).

I can honestly say however that I enjoyed my JIB experience just as much as my Creation experiences. There were differences. Many of which were fantastic! Some of which I preferred Creation. But all of which contributed to an overall great experience.

I have now attended 14 Supernatural conventions (sheesh).  All of which were run by Creation except for JIB. I admit I’m again approaching a bit of con overload and may need a hiatus myself. Nothing to do with JIB, I was feeling this way before JIB. It has to do with….14 cons!!!! LOL.

Friends, old and new.

As Mark Sheppard has observed, conventions are all ultimately all about the fans. It is a space away from “real life” and “normal people” where fans can just relax and revel in being fans. We make friendships that last years. It’s like a huge reunion to come back every year and hang out with each other. I have friendships spanning multiple continents due to this show. For which I will be eternally grateful.

After Bob and I checked into the JIB hotel (the Rome Hilton Airport Hotel), I finally connected with my Norwegian friend who I’d been corresponding with for years but had never seen in person. We had lunch together in the hotel restaurant and it wasn’t at all like we had never seen each other in person. Like a continuation of our many conversations over the years.

At some point during our lunch I noticed groups of fans sharing food and drinks throughout the restaurant. While there were some fans I knew from Creation cons in the States, and some I knew from online, most of the fans were new to me. But what I observed was not new. Friends exclaiming (squeeing), running up to another fan with a big hug, then settling down around tables to exchange news and share excitement. All the while calling out to other passing fans. Newbies joining in with the old-hands and being indoctrinated to the JIB experience (just as I was being indoctrinated by my friend.)

JIB swag

I was able to spot the very well established JIB fans. Those who had been attending this con for years and were sitting back, self assured, happily visiting with others.  And the newbies (such as myself) looking slightly lost, but very excited to be there. Both the verbal and body language of fans seems to transcend continents, languages, and organizations.

One of the first differences I noticed as the size of the venue and the number of fans. While some of the first few Creation cons I attended back in 2008-2009 were smallish – about 800ish fans, most of the Creation cons these days have 1 to 3 thousand fans in attendance. Mostly in very large venues. For me, JIB was on the smallish size.  Both in the number of fans and in the size of the venue. This is not a bad thing. I like small cons. They create a sense of togetherness that I sometimes feels is missing in the larger cons such as Vegas. I also think the process of registering (acquiring) passes (tickets) for JIB, tends to foster more of a sense of community that I sometimes feel has been lost in the size in number of Creation cons. In the first few years of Creation SPN cons, there was a huge sense of community with the fans. I really believe that has been diluted at Creation cons due to the number of cons and fans.  I do admit to a feeling of claustrophobia with the small rooms and a lot of people squeezed in. The seating arrangement could not even happen in the States due to fire regulations.

Another huge difference in experiences was the number of times you saw the various guests and the many combinations of guests.  Felicia with Osric. Rob and Tahmoh. Jim & Richard. Rob and Jason. As I was going through my JIB photos I realized that I’d never before seen Jensen so many times at a con where I hadn’t paid extra for the privilege (such as a Meet & Greet or Photo Op).  Except for the early Creation cons where we had a J2 panel, and a separate Jensen and separate Jared panel. I’ve always felt that the combination panels are more enjoyable than solo panels. I think it relaxes the guests even more and gives them another person to riff off. And seeing the unusual combinations provided a spark that (for me) has become a tad dull in repetitive Creation panels.

Osric & Jim connecting at JIB

Jason Manns and Rob Benedict having fun at JIB

Osric, Rob, and Mark at JIB

Tahmoh & Rob. Tahmoh had been asked by a fan to portray Gadreel meeting God (Rob) for the first time.

Jensen & Misha

This was my first con in all the cons I’ve attended where one of the Js were unable to be there. While I missed seeing Jared with Jensen and with the other guests, I’m happy he took time for himself. And that he was open about it, just continued to build my esteem for him and the other cast members.

A bit of genius of JIB is the “toy table” (my phrase). The guests frequently wander over, open a package, which inspires all kinds of shenanigans. Genius.

The Playland Toy table

Jensen donning a Captain America mask and shield from the toy table.

Jensen with a selfie stick

Osric playing badminten

Rob as a pretty princess

And then. Then. The lighting. Omigosh. It’s amazing. I sat back farther for JIB than I’ve ever sat for any SPN con I’ve ever attended.  I had to shoot through 8 rows of heads. Frequently blocked by people raising their point and shoot cameras way over their heads to take photos. And I still got some great shots. The total black backdrop with rock concert lightly accented at times by a smoke machine. Again, genius. (Hover over a photo for a caption.)

While Creation totes that they don’t double book activities (such as photo ops scheduled during panels), and while I also generally like that, I must admit there is an intensity to the fact that panels are almost continuously going at JIB. And they are not filler panels. They are full on guest panels. And since I only had one photo op (with Jensen), I didn’t miss out on much at all due to the photo op (also with some advice from my friend on how to deal with it.) It was nice to have to have to sit through multiple auctions. Although I did miss the opportunities for short breaks those filler items provided.

I truly believe (and have observed) that the guests are having fun at all the Creation cons. But there is a … mystique … about how the guests are at JIB. Is it the magic of Rome? The concentrated focus of the structure of the cons. The availability of toys? The organizers & staff themselves? The fans? Couldn’t say. Perhaps all of the above. But yes, there does seem to be something more … intimate … about the experience.

Sheesh, here I was very sure I was not re-upping for JIB next year. After writing all the above, I almost talked myself back into it. :)

My Jus In Bello (JIB) Experience

I’ve decided to be non-lineal and jump around in my vacation recap posts. I’ve been asked several times about how my JIB experience compares with my Creation experiences.

… Ireland’s most visited natural attraction with a magical vista that captures the hearts of up to one million visitors every year.

A “full Irish breakfast” of eggs, bacon rashers, sausage, fried tomatos, and white and black puddings. (Not my photo).

But not without a hardy Irish breakfast and saying goodbye to the Bunratty Manor House. This was our first exposure to the “full Irish Breakfast” promised on most of our reservations. Eggs, HUGE pieces of bacon & sausage, toast, a fried tomato, and something called white and black puddings. I’m not sure I ever actually snapped a photo of the dish, so I’m including a google searched one here (photo credit).

A full Irish breakfast for Bobby.

Our lovely Day 1 weather left us and the skies opened up. Rain, rain, rain.  Did I say rain? It was very rainy and windy.  But heck, what’s a little rain to someone who lives in the Pacific NW? Right? Most visitors to the Cliffs had (or purchased) umbrellas. Not me! Nope. Luckily, since I knew we were visiting Ireland in the spring I had invested in a great hooded lightweight jacket from Columbia Sportswear. It was a godsend. Even my camera fit in a pocket. Bob however, had to buy one of the bright yellow/orange, throwaway plastic ponchos.

One downside of the weather was that I wasn’t able to get fantastic photos. It was so misty and rainy and not in a hugely photogenic way. I took some photos just to prove “we were here!” But mostly I enjoyed the view.

The Cliffs of Moher on a VERY rainy and windy afternoon. You can even see the rain drops on my camera lens. (Did I mention it was VERY rainy?).

Again from the Cliffs of Moher site:

Standing 214m (702 feet) at their highest point they stretch for 8 kilometres (5 miles) along the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland. From the Cliffs of Moher on a clear day one can see the Aran Islands and Galway Bay, as well as the Twelve Pins and the Maum Turk mountains in Connemara, Loop Head to the south and the Dingle Peninsula and Blasket Islands in Kerry. O’Brien’s Tower stands near the highest point and has served as a viewing point for visitors for hundreds of years.

Alas, no clear day view for us. But while I went back to the visitor center to dry out, Bob did venture up O’Brien’s Tower for the view. And Bob being Bob, also really enjoyed chatting with the visitor guide on station at the Tower.

Meanwhile, Karen being Karen, I posted on Facebook (lol).

To say Bob and I have different communication styles, is a bit of an understatement. :)

Once damply back in our little rental car, we headed off for a two hour drive to the city of Galway. We had been warned about the narrow roads, but wow are they narrow! Between driving on the opposite side of the road on a stick shift which was on his left side rather than his right, Bob had his job cut out for him trying to not hit oncoming vehicles and not run us off the road. He was awesome. Although he will tell you that I sure called out often enough about almost being off the road.  ;)

As I often due to amuse myself on drives, I attempted to snap photos from a moving car in very wet weather. The resulting photos are not awesome, but I think they do convey a sense of the surrounding landscape. We very much enjoyed the drive. (Hover over individual photos for more information about the photo.)

Our fancy and delicious dessert at the Parkhouse

By the time we arrived in Galway, we were still tired from our overseas trip and so checked straight into our hotel, the Parkhouse Hotel.  Another wonderful choice. I’m thinking I may have taken photos of our room, but if so, they are on a random memory card that is hiding from me in a stack of cards.

I would describe the Parkhouse as “urban fancy and posh.” It has a great restaurant where we enjoyed a wonderful dinner.  I’d love to be able to say we were then adventuresome and went out to explore Galway by night.

Nope. We went to bed. (Hey, we were tired!)

In the morning (after our Full Irish Breakfast), we did venture out a little and walked around the square near our hotel in downtown Galway. But I would say we did not do Galway justice. (Hover over individual photos for more information about the photo.)

We then hopped in our rental for the another two hour drive to Ballinamuck & the town of Longford in County Longford.

My husband’s father was born in County Longford and lived near the very small village of Ballinamuck in an area called Cornakelly. Right after arriving our first day in Ireland, Bob called a friend of his family and we had arranged to meet up with him in Longford on our 2nd or 3rd day in Ireland.

We had originally planned to take a couple hour cruise on the Shannon River on our way to Longford, but the weather was so dreary, we decided to head straight for Longford instead. But that will be for another post.

  Day 2 in Ireland – Cliffs of Moher & Galway

Day two in Ireland started with a drive to the Cliffs of Moher, which according to the official site are …

Katie Gray, Bob’s paternal grandmother, at her house in County Longford

We flew into the Shannon airport.  We had been up for almost 18 hours by this time, but luckily we were both able to nap a bit on the flight from JFK to Shannon. On the advice of a friend, we kept ourselves awake by jumping right into tourist mode.

We rented a car and my husband enjoyed learning how to drive on the left side of the road with a stick shift that was on the “wrong side” of the car. Within the first 15 minutes of driving he was exclaiming, “Driving on the wrong side of the road is tripping b*lls. Luckily everyone else is also driving on the wrong side as well.” I had already refused to drive. Especially using a stick shift which I haven’t used in over 30 years. I know my limitations.  :)

Bunratty Folk Village, Ireland (click to enlarge)

Our first day in Ireland was beautiful. No rain, mild, sunny weather. We drove to the nearby village of Bunratty and went right to the Bunratty Castle & Folk Park.  All the time Karen was trying to figure out how to act as navigator when confused by road signs, which side of the road we should be on, which roads were one-way, etc. With only a few minor … um … mistakes, we got there safely.

The Bunratty Castle and Folk Park was just the perfect start to our vacation. From the Folk Park website:

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is a must on your itinerary to Ireland. This is your chance to experience a window on Ireland’s past and explore the acclaimed 15th century Bunratty Castle and the 19th century Bunratty Folk Park.

It was a walk through the past with thatched cottages, costumed village folk, interiors recreated as a window the past. Topped off by a medieval castle with a dungeon and all. At one of the first cottages we saw, a costumed local woman approached me with a broom and instructed me to start to clean. I differed saying I was on vacation from work.  :)

A thatched cottage in Bunratty Folk Park

Below is a collection of shots of some cottage interiors.

There was so much to absorb. We were there mid day on a work day, so it was not too crowded. It was peaceful to stroll through the pathways surrounded by green.

Bunratty Folk Village exterior

Surrounded by lush green while strolling through the historical Bunratty Folk Park

Vivid blue thatched cottage

Looking into the past

There were times when I felt that not only was I seeing the past, but I could understand how Ireland became known for the fairy folk.  One can understand how Ireland gave birth to so many poets and writers.

Faeries, come take me out of this dull world, For I would ride with you upon the wind, Run on the top of the dishevelled tide, And dance upon the mountains like a flame. ~William Butler Yeats, “The Land of Heart’s Desire,” 1894

It’s like a fairy tale land.

As I look through these photos, I want to return and just sit and ponder.

When the winds of March are wakening the crocuses and crickets, Did you ever find a fairy near some budding little thickets,… And when she sees you creeping up to get a closer peek She tumbles through the daffodils, a playing hide and seek. ~Marjorie Barrows

Then we get our first glimpse of the medieval Bunratty Castle peaking through the green.

Our first peak at Bunratty Castle.

Bunratty Castle

From the Bunratty Castle & Folk Park site:

The site on which Bunratty Castle stands was in origin a Viking trading camp in 970. The present structure is the last of four castles to be built on the site.

The current castle is the fourth structure on the site and is dated to around 1425. We explored the interior of the castle, where medieval dinners are hosted many nights.  As we were tired and had already pre-arranged a dinner at our hotel, we would not be experiencing that.

Bob enjoyed sitting in the historic “Captain of the Guard’s” chair. The chair had an inscribed date of 1527. He also explored the dungeon which, not for the last time on this trip, I deferred from exploring due to mild to moderate claustrophobia. When I was 18 I visited a dungeon in a castle in Saltzburg and the wave of emotion/feeling that struck me while crammed into a small cell with other tourists, was not something I wanted to experience again. And I’m okay with that. ;)

Bob as “Captain of the Guard”

The grounds surrounding the castle were rife with spring wildflowers.

“There is a difference between this world and the world of Faery, but it is not immediately perceptible. Everything that is here is there, but the things that are there are better than those that are here. All things that are bright are there brighter. There is more gold in the sun and more silver in the moon of that land. There is more scent in the flowers, more savour in the fruit. There is more comeliness in the men and more tenderness in the women. Everything in Faery is better by this one wonderful degree, and it is by this betterness you will know that you are there if you should ever happen to get there.” ― James Stephens, Irish Fairy Tales

Spring wildflowers around the Bunratty Castle.

Our last glimpses of Bunratty Folk Park were of a recreation of a farm house.

An irish farmhouse in Bunratty Folk Park

An irish farmhouse in Bunratty Folk Park

After a few hours of exploration we were ready to check into our hotel, bathe, eat, and sleep. We had booked at the Bunratty Manor which was an excellent choice!

That evening we ate at the Bunratty Manor House at it’s in-house restaurant Noels@The Manor. It was our first of many experiences of Irish food and hospitality. I wish I could recall exactly what we ate and drank. But unfortunately all the many, many, many good eating experiences have started to blur. I don’t think we ever had a bad meal on our trip. I do recall, I believe, that I had a dessert speciality of the house that was…amazing.

  Our First Experience in Ireland

We started our three week trip with five days in Ireland. My husband’s father was born in County Longford and Bob is the only of his siblings yet to visit his father’s homeland.

Three weeks of joy

My husband and I recently returned from a wonderful trip.  Three weeks traveling through Ireland and Italy.  A total of 22 days of travel. We rented a car and explored Ireland on our on for 6 days, visiting with my husband’s cousins and seeing the town where his father was born and raised.  We then traveled to Rome where I was able to (finally) experience attending Supernatural’s Jus In Bello…