Final Thoughts

While it is still fresh in my mind, I wanted to get some thoughts down
about this trip.

First, did I enjoy myself? Yes.
Am I glad I did it? No question, yes.
Did I make mistakes? Without a doubt.

Most everywhere I went people asked me what the highlight of my trip
was, and my response has been my initial swing through Ireland and
Scotland. Over time that may still prove to be true, however, I must
say that the entire experience from planning, to prodding, to
implementation, to completion has been the highlight.

I told Beth last night and when I first arrived that I could tell
Barcelona was going to be a great place for my journey to end. That
couldn't be more true.

This trip stretched me as a person and allowed me to see how I can act
away from the comfort of Columbia. Some things I liked, others I
didn't.

It goes without saying, but this trip was made by the people that were
around me. And being that I travelled solo I had to find people to be
around. That's why I say the first week was amazing. The Irish and
Scottish people were incredible and the people from other countries
that i met while in ireland ad scotland were amazing as well. I know
now that if I do this again that I will spend time in smaller towns or
seek out locals that are welcoming and want to learn as much from me
as I want to learn from them.

The reason I consider Barcelona a perfect last stop is that I was able
to hang out with a friend for a day and a half that is living it. I
mean really living it. Beth has dove(or is it dived?) head first into
Spain and the Spanish culture and it's amazing to see. Here's a
person that is open to making decisions that go against the norm of
being an American and especially being raised in the south and she's
thriving. She's learning new things everyday and is growing beyond
belief. Quite encouraging for me to see. Thanks so much to her,
Andreu and Andrino for welcoming me like they did.

Best memory? Getting to know local people at the stops I made along
the way.
People like:
David at Doolin Hostel
Stephen and Aileen Browning, The Springs, Tobias and Julianna at
Castle Hostel in Tralee
Miles, Brenda, David, Deidre, Brian, and Dylan in Waterville
Felix and Anka playing golf in Waterville
Marilyn and Bill Burns in Stranraer
Ryan Simpson in Turnberry
Lucy and Jacque in London
Beth, Andreu and Andriano in Barcelona

Favorite moment? Right now, definitely playing music in Waterville.
That was unreal. Still can't believe that actually happened.

Dumbest move? Without a doubt missing my flight this morning. Wow

Best transportation siting? Probably the train ride from Edinburgh
to London. It was for hours of great scenery and wifi. Sounds like a
small deal but I was able to learn about the places I was passing as I
passed them. Quite cool. How did I know what I was passing? Yes,
Blas, this phone has GPS.

Worst moment? Hmmm that's a tough one. I didn't ever have a "bad"
time or a moment where I said "get me outta here."

Things I'm glad I did?
-The waking tour of London
-Walking to the top of St. Paul's Cathedral
-The bike tours of Paris and Barcelona(give you a great chance to
really see the city AND almost get hit by cars in the process)
-Visiting the Cliffs of Moher
-Going to two days of the British Open
-Sleeping on a Scottish beach
-Playing two great courses in Ireland
-Being open to meeting new and different types of people
-Maintaining this blog
-Seeing the major sites in London and Paris
-Riding the subways after finally figuring out the route systems

Thanks again to you the reader. The feedback I've received throughout
has been quite fun and inspiring. Hopefully you derived as much
enjoyment from reading this as I did from writing it.

Until next year....