Reasons to Love Ireland

It's St. Patrick's Day month, and what better time to post about the best things about the Emerald Isle?

I have visited this wonderful country three times, though my fourth attempt was foiled by Covid. Each time I've gone, I've fallen more in love with this island nation where my heart feels it belongs. Many of the people I've spoken with who have visited this country have expressed how much they love it too. So, what is it about Eire that makes it so special?

I'll be discussing my reasons for loving Ireland in no particular order, and, to be fair, will also list one aspect that I don't love. Please be advised that this will mostly focus on the Republic of Ireland, as I've only spent 4 days in Northern Ireland, which I loved just as much. If there's something about Ireland that stands out to you that you feel I've left out, feel free to comment below!

A Brief Overview of Ireland's Recent History

The Island of Ireland is split between four provinces and two countries: The provinces of Connacht, Leinster, and Munster, which comprise the Republic of Ireland, and Ulster, which is claimed as the separate Northern Ireland. The Republic, which is the country I've spent the most time in, is part of the European Union (EU), where they use the euro as their form of currency. Northern Ireland is considered to be part of the United Kingdom (UK) and uses the Great British Pound in their country.

For decades, these two countries experienced a time called "The Troubles," in which tension between them due to political and religious issues caused violent and non-violent protestations (Source: Britannica - The Troubles). The Troubles ended 1998 but is often referred to in Irish music, most popularly in U2's songs. The Netflix TV series, "Derry Girls," also follows teenagers growing up during this era.

Though there is still some political tension due to Brexit, the two countries are still living at peace with each other for the time being. There are many decisions that still need to be addressed, especially on the economical front for Northern Ireland, but it would appear both sides are hoping for a positive outcome. For a detailed report on what's happening, check out this report from Ireland's main news source, RTE.

As a female solo traveler, I can say that both countries are safe to travel alone. I have also witnessed a particular event first hand that was pointed out to me by the city tour guide when we were visited Derry. Our guide had served in the army during the time of the Troubles.

This picture is showing teenagers heading for a music festival called The Jika Jika Festival. Our guide said that what we were witnessing was historical because we were seeing Protestant and Catholic teenagers attending this festival together and not caring about their religious beliefs; something that wouldn't have been done during the time of the Troubles. I'm very happy to have captured this moment. Unfortunately, our main tour guide learned about it too late and couldn't score us tickets in time.

And now, on with the best reasons to love Ireland!

The Beauty

Anyone who's heard of Ireland and has seen pictures from any of its areas that it's a beautiful country. From its beaches and shoreline cliffs, to the wild and farmed lands, the mountain ranges, and even the barren reaches of the Burren, just about everywhere you look is breathtaking. 

Here's a section of the coastline along the Wild Atlantic Way and the Burren, west of Ballyvaughan

So instead of writing, I'm just going to let some of the many pictures I've taken speak for themselves.

Here's the famous Kylemore Abbey, but from the opposite direction the brochures display

I could post so many pictures here, but I'll try to stick with the best that I could find.

The waterfall at Glenbarrow, part of the Slieve Bloom Mountains

There are hundreds of areas you can hike that many tourists will never see because they're sticking with the more popular attractions or the scheduled events with their tour groups.

This is on the way to Hag's Head, the southernmost tip of the Cliffs of Moher

Even taking simple walks throughout the outlying areas of major cities or smaller villages can take your breath away!

Roscommon Castle, a lovely site that's bypassed by most tour companies. The town's had UFO sightings!

My first visit there I drove, and after that I only opted to take public transportation because I was too distracted by landscape.

Then again, driving also meant I could pull over whenever I wanted! Keem Bay was one such place!

Though sometimes, depending on the company you book your tour with, the guide will make unscheduled stops so that you can experience the beauty of the country that they know their groups will appreciate.

Here's a stop along the Wild Atlantic Way, not far from a filming location of Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Not to downplay the common tourist areas, they are popular for a reason! And well worth the stops!

This is the bay you pass on the way to the Giant's Causeway. That rock formation to the left is Humphrey the Camel

I have scads of pictures of these beautiful countries, and I wish I could share them all but alas, it would take too much time. So I will leave you with one last picture of the scenery, a hill above Killarney featuring part of the Ring of Kerry behind the trees.

Everyone wanted a picture there!

Its History

I did technically start with a little bit of history, but the real history of this country is everywhere you look. There are castles everywhere, and many can still be visited, while others have been converted into hotels!

This one is Dromoland Castle. Didn't stay there, but was allowed to look around!

But Ireland is more than its capitals. There's a running joke among the Irish that they're never won a war, but the resilience of this small country is incredible. Dublin City is home to so much history that there's probably a significant event that happened on every corner. This is also common in most of the major cities and even some of the smaller villages. 

You could speak to local guides, customer service representatives, and even people in the pubs and they can tell you random facts about their villages and towns that you won't easily find on the internet or in history books. One thing is certain: though there were many tragedies throughout this country's history, their resilience and survival throughout the centuries is something they are very proud of.

Northern Ireland also displays their history through murals across their cities. Many of these murals depict notable events during The Troubles, celebrate the lives of the freedom fighters who died trying to bring peace, and artwork displaying various peace icons.

Here's a cool fact: the Northern Irish consider Martin Luther King Jr. as one of their heroes!

There's also the Peace Wall in Belfast, which is comprised of several murals that people can write their names or an inspirational phrase on. Even celebrities have been known to write on this mural!

Here's an idea of how long this Peace Wall goes on for

Despite the fact that Ireland has a bit of a sad history, something notable happened just about anywhere you visit in the Republic or Northern Ireland. No matter where you go, you'll learn something new and interesting. 

The Food

Don't believe the myth that corned beef and cabbage is authentic Irish cuisine. It's not. That little tidbit aside, what exactly is Irish cuisine then?

Let's start with the traditional Irish breakfast. Most breakfasts consist of toast, beans, eggs, bacon, potatoes, black and white pudding, tomatoes, mushrooms, and bangers. The majority of the hotels you'll stay at will offer this breakfast, while the more expensive ones will offer more options, such as scones, pancakes, porridge, and waffles. The traditional Irish breakfast is filling, but after having the same thing over and over for a week, it starts to seem a little repetitive.

After that, much of their cuisine focuses on carb-heavy food. Bread is served at just about every meal, and potatoes are a major part of the Irish diet. Then their entrees tend to focus on meats and seafood. Stews made with beef or lamb are popular meals, and seafood chowders can be found throughout the country, but mostly along the coastal areas. If you aren't in the mood for stew, meat options can include pork, chicken, fish, and venison dishes. Burgers and other sandwich options are often available too.

Yes, I ate everything on this plate!

There is also a product that comes from Ireland that many Americans don't consider: dairy. With all the bread they serve, butter is also a very prominent item, and it's some of the best in the world! Of course, butter is made from cream, which comes from the Irish cows, who product some of the best dairy too! You'll enjoy one of the most refreshing glasses of milk you'll ever taste here. And there's ice cream everywhere! Even on the remote Aran Islands offshore, including Inishmore, you'll find an incredible ice cream shop!

One of the most remote ice cream shops you'll find: Paudy's!

The food here is very rich in flavor and tends to be very filling, but they also have no additives in their foods, which I suspect is why everything over there tastes better. Everything down to the coffee and orange juice to the simple greens in a salad have fuller flavor!

With such full flavors, can you imagine the desserts they have???

If you're one of those travelers who prefers to stick with American foods, or if you're vegan or lactose intolerant, there are options available to accommodate these diets. What surprised me most though were how many pizza parlors there were, and even burrito bars! 

You thought I was kidding? Found this one in Belfast!

Being a California girl who has access to some of the most authentic Mexican food north of the border, seeing Irish Mexican food in most of the major cities we visited was quite the shock! I still haven't tried it out, though I plan to the next time I go.

The food here may be filling, but when you're traveling, you're moving around so much that you usually work it off before your next meal. So enjoy that colcannon, or the fish and chips, and absorb the flavors!

The Pubs

Ever been to an Irish pub in America? Most tend to do a fine representation of an authentic Irish pub, but the one thing they can't duplicate is the feel. Most pubs in both the States and Ireland serve tasty and affordable food, have Guinness on tap along with other popular and local quaffs, have music playing, and often times a football (*coughit'scalledsocceroverherecough*) or rugby playing on a large TV screen.

Here's the interior of one such pub

The pubs in Ireland though, have something that the States can't duplicate: the environment. Irish pubs are more than just your average watering hole, it's a place where the people can enjoy themselves with their longtime, new, or unmet friends! Just about every pub you visit, even if you're all alone and stay that way, will still have a welcoming atmosphere. If you're alone in this country and start to feel alone, just find the local pub and have a drink or meal. Introvert or extrovert, just being around the people there will bring a sense of being at home.

One of the oldest pubs in Ireland, the Brazen Head, gives you an idea of how far from home you are

And fear not, you'll find a pub anywhere. One of the Irishmen I spoke to on one of my travels told me this little factoid about the towns in Ireland: "every Irish town will have a church, a post office, and a pub." There's no excuse to not go to one!

This was a pub and restaurant in Dingle we ate at. I can't remember the name, but it was down the street from the local Murphy's Ice Cream

I'm afraid I didn't have more pics of the pubs I went to, but next time I go I'll take more!

Guinness!

Guinness is probably the most recognized Irish company throughout the world, and with good reason. There is nothing like a freshly poured pint at the pub and just savoring that dark, smoky taste. It's a taste that is incapable of being captured anywhere else in the world. 

Here's a piece of Guinness artwork at the Storehouse

The canned stuff? Awful. The bottled? Better, but still not as great. Poured from a tap anywhere in the world? In the States, passable; anywhere else in the world, fairly good. But at its natural brewing home in Ireland, it's positively glorious.

You can even learn to pour your own pint at the Guinness storehouse!

As I mentioned with the food, it tends to be very filling and rich. Pairing this food with a Guinness enhances the experience of eating and drinking together in a truly unique way. It's almost as if half of the cuisine there was specifically tailored to be paired with Guinness. And no matter where you go, you'll find merch in every gift shop.

This is a table.

A Culture of Music

Did you know Ireland is the only country in the world whose national symbol is a musical instrument? It's true! Their national symbol is the harp. And since their national symbol is the harp, it would only be logical the music would play a huge part in their country.

I felt particularly proud of this pic

The pubs in Ireland tend to hire local musicians to perform in their venues, where often times they will play covers of popular music and traditional songs that everyone can sing along to. And you won't just find them in pubs, you'll find them in restaurants too, from high-scale to simple cafes.  

Didn't get this guy's name, but he was talented and very appreciative

Then you'll find the ones performing on the streets. Some of these singers and musicians will be promoting their own original music because they love what they do, or they're trying to make it in the music industry.

Yup, you'll even find xylophone players out here!

One thing is certain though: the music is an important part of life. When walking through major cities like Dublin or Galway, even if it was a slower night of the week with little social activity going on, there will always be a venue with a live musician or band playing. 

This is Banned Wagon, they were good!

You can even listen for a little while, then move on to the next venue and listen to someone different. The smaller town and villages may only have one place where a musician or band can play, but even they make sure someone is there to play at least once or twice a week.

This is Paul Jenkinson, and you can find his info here

And the music is more than just bagpipes and violin, it has the harp, the bodhrain, and the banjo, to name a few. Even if it's just one singer and/or musician, or a whole band, you're in for a treat whenever you run into these musicians.

And if you're lucky, it'll be a full concert!

The People

Every other person I've spoken to who has traveled to Ireland all agree: the people there are amazing. They are some of the friendliest people you will meet! Now keep in mind, this being the human race, not everyone will be the most cordial, but the majority will chat with you whenever you get the opportunity. 

This cool gent, Eddie Lenihan, is a professional storyteller with several books published!

You do need to be careful about the people you talk with though, because if you're not paying attention, you can find yourself talking with them anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 full hours! Not kidding! Once I went down to the hotel lobby to pick up something, and wound up chatting with one of the hotel staff for about 20 minutes. He told me a bit about the town we were in, and that one of the musicians from a popular Irish band, The Pogues, had stayed there two weeks prior. I'd only meant to be gone for 2 minutes! Then there was the first time I went to King John's Castle in Limerick, my sister and I chatted with one of the historical re-enactors, and we were there for the 2 hours!

It was even his idea to pose for this pic!

Regardless, they're still wonderful people. Another time worth mentioning was when I was taking the Luas to the hostel I was staying in, and I had a full suitcase, a recently purchased duffel bag (I went a little nuts shopping this particular trip), and had my backpack. The Luas car was completely full, but when I let the people standing by the door know I'd reached my stop, they all made sure I had the room to leave without being stuck on the car! And yet another, when I took a taxi to the airport, the driver took the time to find me a quicker route since there was morning traffic, which turned out to be a more scenic route that he gave me a commentary on the whole time. I left him a good tip for that!

There aren't many countries in the world that you can visit where the people are one of the main things that stand out. They tell amazing stories, know how to have fun, and often times, even look out for you. An Aussie who was on one of the trips I was on, while walking back to our hotel in Galway around midnight, told me that a woman drove up beside her and asked her if she needed a ride anywhere. She was fine, but was touched that this sweet Irishwoman was concerned for her safety.

They also have a wonderful sense of humor. Most of the clapboards you'll see out in front of restaurants will have something clever or silly written on them. 

Here's an example outside the Teeling Distillery

Or, if you visit a dinner experience, such as at the Merry Ploughboys, you'll find a placemat with these rules of Irish culture here:

Sorry about the shadow!

Honestly, if you make it through a trip to Ireland without at least a 10-minute chat with a local, you have missed out.

And the one thing I don't like: The Roads!

The roads in Ireland are insane. The freeway/expressway/motorway system they use has tolls just about everywhere that need to be paid within 24 hours or you can incur a fine. Then you have the rural roads, which are super narrow. And if you're a regular car going one way and you come across a bus coming the other way? You need to get out of the way! And if there's nowhere for you to pull over, you need to reverse until you find a place where the bus can pass you! And if there are other cars behind you, they all know the drill and have to do it with you. It's nuts.

Here's one of the roads I drove: Corkscrew Hill. Name says it all!

The drivers aren't too bad, and it's driving etiquette to wave at a driver you're passing on the roadways. But the speeds on the rural roads can be super slow or a dare to see if you'll actually do it at the posted speed. Taking a guided tour or traveling by railway may be more practical in the long run, but having the freedom to explore off the beaten paths in a car is a special experience. Too bad it includes those roads!

Ready to Go Yet?

I would love to spend more time in Northern Ireland the next time I visit (also so I could do it better justice in a blog such as this one), and plan to do my own itinerary to make sure I see everything. In the meantime, I hope I've done both countries a service in explaining everything I love about them.

Though if I could make just one must-visit location, make sure to stop by a Murphy's Ice Cream location at least once!

You won't regret it!

Since I can't return to Ireland right away, my next blog post will be on a local trip I'll be taking. One of the things I've been meaning to do for a while is try out an AirBnB, and am taking the opportunity of trying one out! 

Until next time, start planning for your next trip!

Gifs courtesy of Giphy

Taking the Skies Alone

We've covered solo road trips, but flying from point A to point B in under 3 hours by yourself isn't too bad, but having to stop for layovers and going overseas? That is a little bit daunting. How to stay comfortable, safe, and entertained when flying for elongated amounts of time when all alone?

I'm glad you asked.

First Things First: Carry-On vs. Stow Away Luggage

The first and most important thing you need to take into consideration when flying alone is this: what you bring with you STAYS with you. If you are traveling domestically and doing carry-on luggage, you need to be aware that taking a risk of entrusting a stranger to watch your things if you need is incredibly risky, so be prepared for the instance that you will be bringing everything you've packed with you in the bathroom!

Items You Are Usually Allowed to Bring

Most airlines allow you to bring at least 2 items for free: 1 small bag, such as a purse, backpack, or messenger bag, and one overhead bin item, which can be a duffel bag, backpack, or small sized suitcase. Not all airlines allow two items for free, so make sure that you double check the fees before booking. 

What I would recommend is to bring a backpack, though only to be used for the flight. Backpacks work great for traveling because, provided you keep it packed with the bare essentials on the way to your destination, you can fill it with souvenirs, or use it for extra storage if your return finds that your suitcase can't be closed anymore.

The Case for Carry-Ons

If you choose to take your luggage as a carry-on, the best combo would be to use the backpack for the small item, and the small rolling suitcase for the overhead bin. I have used both duffel bags and suitcases for the carry-on, and the suitcase is the better option, if only for the bathroom portion of the trip. If you need to use the bathroom, finding a hook inside the stall to hang your bag from can be a problem if there's no hook there! The rolling suitcase can stand on its own and is more maneuverable. 

The best argument for carry-on is that you don't have to wait for your luggage to be unloaded! You can grab your suitcase or duffel from the overhead bin, exit the plane, and be on your merry way! You don't have to worry about it being manhandled or jostled by baggage handlers or having to wait anywhere from 10-30 minutes for your suitcase to come crashing down onto the carousel, or having someone accidentally grab the wrong back, or even it not showing up at all.

There is also the chance that not enough people choose stow-away luggage. Many flights will offer to stow overhead bin luggage for free if not enough passengers have opted for stowing larger suitcases. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide if you want to take advantage of that offer if it's made available. Also, there are times when, even though you've already passed through TSA and security, your bags will be subjected to being searched before boarding the plane. Even if you don't have anything worth confiscating, they can mess up your packing job or break something.

However, as I mentioned, what comes with you stays with you. You won't be able to leave your carry-on luggage alone, so if you want to explore the terminal or do some shopping, you're gonna be dragging everything around with you. It can make you more tired and add strain to your arms, shoulders or back.

The question you should pose to yourself before choosing this option is if the freedom of keeping track of your luggage at all times is worth having it with you for the duration of your flight.

Benefits of Stow-Away Luggage

The first and most obvious benefit of stow-away luggage is that you can bring more items with you. This option is usually better if the trip you'll be taking will last over a week or if the place you're staying is cold and you need to back extra layers of clothing. Having the extra room can also allow you to splurge on shopping more.

Another benefit to choosing stow-away luggage is that it's taken from you right at the gate. If your flight allows you to have three items of a small bag, overhead bin and stow-away, then your most cumbersome piece of luggage won't be in your way as you traverse the terminals. You'll only have your two items, which I reiterate should be a backpack and a messenger bag, which are much easier to tout and less strain on your body.

Then there is the fact that most stow-away luggage is accepted without being looked through. Any carry-on luggage will be subjected to TSA X-raying, and sometimes even searching between layovers. If you went to Italy and wanted to bring back a bottle of wine from an independent vintner that wouldn't be sold at the airport duty-free, or if you went to Japan and wanted to bring back some fancy weapons that are too expensive to ship home, then using a stow-away suitcase would be ideal. Now keep in mind that I am not telling you to do anything illegal, as taking home alcohol or weapons aren't illegal as long as they're stowed but bringing them in your carry-on will result in the alcohol being confiscated and likely destroyed, and any weapons could get you banned from flying altogether, so I would advise trying to have items like that shipped to your home instead of bringing it with you.

Of course, you can refer to the arguments for carry-on regarding the cons on stow-away, which include damage or loss. Domestic flights have a higher chance of being a one-way trip without needing to stop for layovers, and the odds of your luggage being lost are extremely low. But if you're going between cities or internationally, the odds of loss or damage go up. And you have to wait for the carousel as well.

And don't forget about the requirements for stow-away suitcases. There will often be a fee to allow for checked bags. The fees can, on average, range from $9-$65, and only allow 15-70.5 lbs. weight per bag. Make sure your tickets include a checked bag, and if they don't, that you know exactly how much you'll be paying to have it stowed.

My Verdict

I'll keep it simple: for domestic? Carry-on. International? Stow-away if you're away for 10 days or more, otherwise stick with carry-on as well.

What to Bring for the Flight

I know I've already said this, but I highly advise that one of your two carry-on items be a backpack. It's good to have for the flight portion of your trip so that you can bring immediate sundries with you and can have the extra room for any souvenirs you'll be bringing home.

If your backpack will need to be put in the overhead bin, any immediate items that you would need on hand, such as your wallet, some snacks, and/or a book should be kept in your purse/messenger bag. If you've opted for the carry-on luggage option, you can also use the backpack to store either a folded-up messenger bag or purse for when you arrive at your destination.

After packing those items, you should also bring along these:

Medication

Antibacterial wet wipes or baby wipes (make sure they are suitable for using on skin, don't bring Lysol wipes!)

Kleenex packs

Toothbrush/toothpaste

Deodorant

Hairbrush

Hand sanitizer

Immune system boosters

Battery packs and phone chargers

Water bottle

Neck Pillow

Here are some of the items listed. Dinosaurs are optional but recommended!

These items are just in case your flight is delayed. Delayed flights can be short, being only about an hour or two, or they can strand you for several hours to even a day or two. Keeping these items with you will ensure that you can stay fresh and sanitary during your flight. 

Further Explanations

I want to delve into why bringing a book or reading material with you is a smart idea. Many planes offer in-flight entertainment, which can either be in a movie/TV system, or an app where you can stream free entertainment during the flight. However, sometimes this entertainment charged, or the streaming platform is free while the in-flight wi-fi is not. Or which is the case that I have personally experienced, the entertainment system fails. Bringing a book just in case the entertainment system fails or is a rip-off will help keep you occupied.

Then I want to discuss the water bottles. I've gone into the subject before, but I will go deeper into the subject here. You can bring an empty, reusable bottle through TSA and fill it up inside the terminal. They can be filled at the water fountains, or at water bottle filling stations, which are often near the fountains or bathrooms. But if you go for a water bottle with a spout and straw, make sure that you loosen the lid before drinking from it, because the air pressure up in the air can cause the water to shoot out of the spout, getting you or a neighbor all wet!

And finally, the subject of neck pillows. I have tried several different types of neck pillows and I can honestly say that you need to try these out before traveling with them. The wrong type of neck pillow can make your flight more uncomfortable.

Every person is going to have different comfort levels depending on preference or physicality. The most popular brands usually use microbeads or memory foam at differing levels of firmness. If you have any friends or family members who travel regularly and have a neck pillow, ask if you can borrow one (after having been sanitized, of course!) to see if that particular model works best for your needs. And if it works out, you can purchase your own so you can be plenty comfortable!

What to Wear

Comfort should be the number one focus when putting together your outfit for your flight. The next? Neatness. You may be tempted to dress like a slob in pajama pants and an old hoodie, but looking nice will benefit you more than you'd think.

This is what I wore on my most recent flight, and I have numbered the items I'm wearing so you can have a visual aid.

1. Shoes and socks

Shoes are incredibly important to consider before flying. When you fly, your feet and ankles tend to swell, which is completely normal. So, when considering footwear, you want to wear something light that won't constrict your feet and make you even more uncomfortable when your feet do swell.

Footwear you should avoid is sandals and boots. Sandals may be easier to deal with the swelling, but it gets cold up there in the air and you don't want to suffer frozen toes for hours on end, plus you could have foot odor which will make everyone around you miserable. 

And boots? If your feet swell in those, you are going to be extremely uncomfortable. 

The best bet would be to go for shoes that you can easily slip on and off. You are required through most TSA checkpoints to remove your shoes, so if you have shoes without laces (like in my picture) or flats, you can get through much faster, and the swelling won't be as much of a nuisance.

Now in my picture, I'm wearing 2 pairs of socks. My first pair is compression socks. Compression socks help to stimulate blood flow in your legs since you won't be able to move around and make your blood flow naturally. They can be worn with slip-on shoes and flats. Since I'm wearing slip-on shoes, and it's December, I'm wearing a pair of ankle socks to help keep my feet warm.

For more information on the effects of flying with compression socks, please check out this link. 

2. Pants

You will notice that I am wearing black leggings in this picture. These leggings are fleece-lined, and they were the most comfortable pants I've ever worn while flying! They fit over the compression socks without being too constricting, and they kept me warmer than regular leggings.

That's what I'm talking about!

Leggings and yoga pants are a wonderful choice when flying because they allow for more mobility than other types of pants. Jeans can be too constricting, slacks can be too nice to wear in that kind of environment, pajama pants can look tacky, and sweatpants make you look like a slob. Cargo pants are also a decent alternative with all their pockets, provided they are made from a more synthetic fiber. 

Another thing you should stay away from is skirts. I have worn skirts over yoga pants and leggings through TSA, and both times I was patted down by an agent. Skirts may add a layer of cuteness, but it's not worth it to be patted down.

3. Tops

Like the pants I'm wearing, the shirt is also fleece lined, and I have a hoodie to be put on later. Fleece lined clothing feels nice against the skin and adds extra warmth when traveling in cold weather. It may work best in the wintertime, but in the summer, wearing a longer sleeved top or light jacket over a tee shirt is a more sensible choice.

Hoodies and/or sweatshirts can be hit or miss depending on the type you're wearing. There are perfectly nice hoodies that you can wear so that you don't look like a slob, and these normally are one solid color, sometimes with a recognizable logo or brand and without any holes. If you would rather choose a different option, try a light jacket with interior pockets, or a nice cardigan.

Another thing to take into consideration is underwear. I've found that sports bras with cups are the comfiest option or wearing a t-shirt bra with no wires. Underwire bras are an absolute no-no! Those will be ridiculously uncomfortable after wearing them for several hours and can set off the metal detector going through TSA. The last thing you need is to have those agents wave that metal-detecting wand in that area.

4. Hair

We've already covered the importance of neck pillows, but what about your hair? You'll notice that in the two pictures I posted of myself that my hair is in different lengths. In the selfie with the neck pillow, my hair is short and worn loosely; in the picture (taken over a year later) with the clothing items, my hair is long and pulled into pigtails. 

Hair that is shoulder length or shorter is usually fine worn without being pulled back, but when it's past the shoulders, it can start to get in the way. Pulling longer hair back into a ponytail seems the most logical option but depending on where you tie off your hair it can create a bump in the back of your head, and usually causes that part of your head to ache after a few hours. If you'd rather do a ponytail, try to bring it closer to the top of your head so that the rubber band isn't pressing directly against your skull.

The best types of hairstyles to wear are either pigtails, as displayed in my picture, or a French braid. This way, your hair is pulled out of the way of your face, neck pillow, and clothing. These styles also work if you don't want to wear a hoodie and opt for a beanie or other headwear instead. 

The Benefits of Looking Nice

Short answer: the probability of being upgraded goes up. This is a rare event, but from what I've been told from other travelers, and from personal experience, if you try to make yourself a little bit more than simply presentable, you'll look more like you belong in first or business class seats. Now you will undoubtedly find some slobs in first class, but they're the ones that could afford it. If you dress it up a little, and first class has too many open seats, your seat has been sold out from under you (YES, that happens!), you haven't been assigned a seat, or even if you charm a flight attendant, you could find yourself being upgraded.

I did mention that wearing skirts is a no-no. Well, while that may be true, it was also what I was wearing the one time I got bumped up to business class.

On this flight, this is what I was wearing: black yoga pants, a short gray skirt, a black, long-sleeved top, and a light blue cardigan (the cardigan later was removed because it was frickin' humid at my layover in Atlanta!). This was my third of four flights, and I hadn't been assigned a seat for my last leg of the trip. So, after I landed, I met up with the friend who would be joining me to our final destination, and she told me which seat she was in. I went to the gate where we would be leaving and asked the attendant if it were possible to be seated with my friend. He said that he couldn't because the seats near her were already taken.

Then he printed me out a ticket for business class!

Ta-da!!!!

I will return to this story later as another point of it pertains to an upcoming subject of this post.

Snacktime!

In my last post about my experience of flying in this new Covid era, I posted this picture of the snack packages that airlines are handing out to the passengers during the flight.

Here's a reminder in case you forgot, or if you haven't read it

While this is a nice snack pack, if you're going to be flying over a period of several hours, or even a few days, you're going to need something more substantial. Hopefully once this pandemic ends more food options will be served again, but until then, be ready to bring your own food. Try to bring a sandwich that doesn't have any sauces or spreads added but have them in the individual packets to add later so that they don't soak the bread, or bring a single serving pizza, or anything else that you can eat with your hands, or maybe even chop sticks. Whatever you do, do not bring any utensils, whether plastic or metal! You can find yourself banned for life for trying to bring those with you through TSA.

If bringing your own food is too cumbersome, check the airport website to see what restaurants are open and plan accordingly. Once again referring to my previous post, the first airport I left from only had two options to choose from, a natural food restaurant and the basic shop that just had simple (and overpriced) food options (which also closed after I left it), but sometimes even the websites won't be entirely up to date. The choice is ultimately yours if you want to take the initiative or take a chance on the terminal options.

For more information on the approved foods you can bring through TSA, please check out their official website here.

Once you land, if it's been several hours since you left, the first thing you should do is try to find some fruit, or better, all-fruit smoothies. Since you will have been sitting for so long and will likely experience some cramping, the best thing to do is to find some high-potassium fruit, such as bananas. In my opinion, the best thing to do is to find a restaurant that sells smoothies and buy one that has bananas and pineapple with no milk products. Certain fruits may be allowed by TSA, but they sadly don't travel well, so although they are overpriced as all get-out in the airports, they're still usually a better option.

Check out this blog on some ideas of snacks pre- and post-flight here. And whatever you do, do not eat any foods like beans or broccoli before your flight! 

Cancellations and Delays

At some point, you will find yourself being delayed, having your flight canceled, or even finding that the airline has overbooked their flight. This supremely sucks. But sometimes you can turn this to your advantage.

The last time I went to Ireland, I had a flight with one layover at JFK, but the layover would only be 2 hours before my connecting flight to Dublin left. This being JFK, a 2-hour layover would be cutting it close. Sure enough, while I chatted with another solo traveler heading for Zambia, we were informed that the flight would be delayed by at least 90 minutes. One woman took this opportunity to throw a fit and go off on how that airline did this continually, while the other solo traveler and I went to the airline phones to try and reschedule.

I spoke with a representative and after explaining my situation, he took the time to try to find me a different flight. Unfortunately, most of the options he found wouldn't get me to Dublin in time to meet with my group, or my luggage wouldn't make it to the plane in time. Anxiety began to rear its ugly head, but then the agent put me on hold for several minutes, then came back with a different option: if I wanted, I could take a 13-hour flight to Amsterdam, have a 2 1/2-hour layover, and then take a 1 hour 45-minute flight to Dublin. That flight wouldn't leave for over an hour, giving me enough time to transfer my luggage and run back to the KLM desk to retrieve my new ticket. I did have to go through TSA again, but I was going to HOLLAND for no extra charge!

Delays are annoying, but the airlines will do everything in their power to make sure you reach your destination if their delay will prevent you from your connecting flight. Cancellations work similarly, in that the airline will find a way somehow. It may be frustrating and annoying, but they won't leave you high and dry.

Another likely event is if your plane is overbooked. And guess what? If you're a solo traveler, you'll probably be approached to give up your seat because hey, that's how the world works. If you aren't traveling with family or a significant other, the most logical choice to ask the single fliers to give up their seat. And here's where you can put yourself in a far better position than before.

If you volunteer to take a different flight, their airline will be very apt to allowing you to do so. But you can also make demands.

You can tell the airline agents that you will willingly give up your seat, but when they book you on your alternate flight, you want a first-class seat. With you giving up voluntarily, they will often honor your request for no extra charge. Or, if the first available flight to your destination won't leave until the next day, ask if they will include free admission to their VIP lounges, or if they will put you up in a hotel for the night. They may not agree to all your requests, but at the very least you should be able to score a free seat upgrade on your rescheduled flight. 

And with that, let's segue into the next topic....

Be Nice to the Staff!

Just because you're inconvenienced doesn't mean you have the right to be nasty. If you find yourself in a situation like voluntarily giving up your seat, trying to find an alternate flight, or even trying to secure a seat near a friend, always remember, these agents will respond much better when you are nice. Everything depends on how kind you are to the staff. If you are making demands or requests, make sure you maintain a nice, polite, and respectful demeanor. The more respect you show, the more likely you are to score the best deals for no extra charge.

Let's go back to my story about being upgraded for free to business class as I mentioned earlier. I was dressed up cute, which helped, but I was also polite to the agent. He was clearly not having a good day, so I made it a point to be a little extra nice. When he told me he couldn't seat me near my friend, I did express disappointment with a simple, "aw, bummer." And even though his attitude didn't change much, he still upgraded me for free. I was shocked and overjoyed and thanked him vigorously, and again, his attitude still didn't change much. When I boarded my flight, I made sure to thank him again. I hope that did brighten his day just a little. 

If I had responded rudely, he probably would have seated me in the very back of the plane where there were most likely seats still available. By being polite, even though he wasn't in a good mood, he still upgraded me. 

Now let's return to when my flight to Dublin was delayed. Before the agent put me on hold, I was becoming a little frustrated, and, dear readers, that is a perfectly understandable reaction. As I've said in my previous post about cancellations, it's okay to be upset, but it's never okay to lash out at the employees. Though I was beginning to freak out, I took a moment to calm myself and explained to him what it was I needed, which was to be in Dublin before 3pm at the latest. Now that he understood my needs, he found me that connecting flight through Amsterdam. I was ecstatic and thanked him emphatically before allowing the next passenger to reschedule. The other solo traveler going to Zambia, she asked me how it turned out since I went from slightly agitated to excited, and I explained my new flight plan. She thought that was cool and explained how she too was rescheduled for a better flight. We parted ways from there with better flights than before. And KLM turned out to be an amazing airline!

Shameless plug, y'all

And now for a story I haven't brought up yet. I flew one-way from Manchester, England, back to San Francisco. It was a long flight, and I was flying Thomas Cooke, which is sadly no longer in operation. The flight attendant in my area was a gentleman, and I made some small talk with him and even tried to tip him when he brought snacks around, which he politely refused. The next time he came around I told him I would like to pay the £5 to use the entertainment system for movies and TV. He said that was all right and he would just allow me to access it for free. 

Another example of being nice to the flight staff is from my most recent trip back in December. On my third and final flight, I boarded the plane like normal and made certain to greet the staff as I went to my seat. This flight wasn't very full and I had an entire row to myself, which was awesome, but I also passed out shortly after the plane left the tarmac. When I awoke, we were readying to land, and I found another bag of snacks on the empty seat next to mine! I hadn't expected the attendants to do that since I was sleeping, so I was pleasantly surprised and made sure to thank the attendant when he came by to pick up the trash.

Working in the airline industry can be a very taxing job, and in this era of "the customer is always right," these positions tend to be thankless as well. Your flight attendants will greet you as you board the plane, so always greet them back and show them some respect. They have the ability to go above and beyond for the guests they like, so if you are nice, you could on the receiving end of those perks.

Remember though, that sometimes being nice won't get you anything, and that's ok. The odds of incurring good favor go higher when you are kind and respectful, but it's not a guarantee. The best way of going about this is simply by being genuinely nice and polite without expecting anything back. Believe me, if you're fake nice, they'll know, and you'll likely get nothing. It's when you're nice without expecting anything in return that you have the best chances of landing some sweet extras.

And, in this day and age, it's better to be kind. Everyone can use a little kindness these days!

Get Ready to Fly!

Hopefully we'll be able to start booking these trips we want to take without them being rescheduled soon. If this will be your first solo trip or flight, I hope you can take it feeling more secure! Flying for the first time, whether with other people or by yourself, can be intimidating, so if you are to take only a few pointers from this blog, focus on these: dress comfortably but not like a slob, and be nice without expecting anything in return. 

There's an amazing world out there, and getting there can be an enjoyable experience!

Coming up next, I'll be going over my favorite things about Ireland. I've spent the most amount of time there and love so much about it that I feel it's appropriate to go over my reasons for loving it. 

Be ready to start booking those trips!

Images Courtesy of Giphy