That trip was one of the greatest decisions of my life and led to a lot of new experiences, but **** was I scared before I went.
The one thing I regretted was that, aside from Willie Clancy Summer School (where I met up with some online-friends from Chiff) and the last few weeks of my July language classes (when I made friends with my roommate Jenny), it was a rather lonesome summer. It was great to be able to do whatever I wanted whenever I liked, but as I am not a "social butterfly" and therefore not too good at striking up new friendships, I often found myself on solitary walks when I would rather have been hanging out with someone.
On the other hand, I know a constant companion would have driven me absolutely bonkers.
All good reasons. But I'd like to contest reasons 1 and 2 (reason 3, going someplace else later, I can't contest).jen. wrote:We've talked about whether I should go or not ... if he goes alone, he can stay out at all the sessions as late as he wants and bury himself in whatever archives he likes for as long as he likes and immerse himself in the music without having to worry about me -- who tends to like to go to sleep earlier than 5 a.m. (though the time difference is in our favor there smile ) and who, during a trip to Ireland, would rather spend time traveling around than stay in one small town the whole time, which is one of his dreams. It would cost nearly twice as much for me to go, too, and if I don't go we might be able to both go someplace higher on my list later this summer.
If you're in a town and he wants to stay out till 4 or something, you could go back to your B&B or hostel and have a nice leisurely night. Read a new book, watch some Irish tv shows, go to sleep, and when you wake in the morning he'll be there. Then, if you are an early riser, you can go for a walk while he reaquaints himself with the waking world.
There are benefits to staying in a single town and there are benefits to being someplace new every day. I did both. I would suggest not doing someplace new every day for two weeks, as I did at one point, because that is somewhat hard to take cognitively.
But what if he stayed in Sligo, and you hired a car or took Bus Eireann (very easy to do, get a timetable guidebook for about €6 from any large bus station), chose little towns to visit, and met up with him a couple times during the week to see how he was doing? You'd each see different parts of Ireland and experience different things, and it would make for lively conversations afterward.I vote that both of you go - it's actually a lot cheaper than you might think if you are careful with the money (my summer came to about $5,000 including airfare and various classes) and it will be a cherished memory of a shared experience - but failing that, he should definitely go.
Tell him that if he goes and hates it, he has perpetual griping rights, but if he passes up the opportunity he isn't allowed to complain about it later on.
My relative, by the way, introduced me to half a dozen more I hadn't known about, encouraged me to play in a music group for a private party they happened to be having (I have pictures!), took me all over Dublin, and had an enjoyable time arguing with her aunt about which family member I most resembled.
