I packed early this year. Two days early, in fact. It felt good having nearly everything ready for my Celtic Invasion of Donegal and the Giant's Causeway. Over the next two days, I grabbed and made lists of various items I “forgot”.
Mind you, I still forgot my iPad. But I feel good about my packing. I packed lighter this year. Just the bare necessities in a small duffel bag. I'm ready!
DELAYS AND THE SCHEDULED FREAK OUT
The trip is well-organized. Each year, I get better, planning earlier, and making tighter plans. I have scheduled items on my list as well as big, carefully-planned holes which gives us flexibility to do something off the cuff. I even remembered to book restaurants for my nine invaders.
I feel extremely grateful for the people who join me on my CIVs. I've said it before. My trips aren't strictly planned, moment to moment. I educate myself on the places we go, but there's a lot of “winging it”. That's scary to say.
I feel one of these days, a trip might fail because of this “winging it” tactic. Yet in all my years of travel, I've always successfully adjusted.
We've had a volcano delay passengers one year. I forgot my driver's license. We gotten “lost” on drives. Every time, it works out. We laugh. We have fun… Knock on wood.
Today, I glanced at my email to see my flight to Newark was delayed. It arrives an hour after my departure to Ireland.
Yes, I'm freaking out. However, I am still scheduled to arrive a day early. So as anxious as I am, I still expect it will work out.
Hmm. Maybe I should start scheduling my freak out moments too?
YOUR FOR BEST WAYS TO ENJOY MY CELTIC INVASION WITH ME
I have a tough time with social media. I'm not a big fan, but I feel it's necessary. There are too many things to see and do. I'd rather spend my time enjoying the trip than taking mediocre pictures and videos (I'm not a good photographer).
Nevertheless, I have a social media plan for this year's Invasion. It has FOUR parts.
1. Photos via Instagram. I want to capture the fun of the trip as well as the beauty of Ireland.
2. Video postcards to capture “moments” of the trip. Both 15 second postcards as well as One Minute Memories.
3. Blogs like this one where I talk about the Invasion experience, and
4. Audio blogging via The Celtfather podcast at http://Celtfather.com. The goal here is to make you feel like you're experiencing the trip first hand.
Hm. I just realized I left off Facebook and Twitter. Yes, all of the above will post on Facebook and Twitter as well. I'm sure I'll be posting pictures to my Celtic Invasion Vacations group.
I find it interesting because those two social media platforms are my 2 least favorite.
I'm most-excited about The Celtfather podcast. I did an audio blog last year for Wales. It was a blast.
The one I started today is even more fun with some decent GarageBand iPhone production. I can't wait to share.
I downloaded a ton of podcasts to listen to for my trip. It's time to relax and enjoy before I fight for a flight when we land in Houston.
Slainte!
Marc
PS. If you want to support my blogging and podcasting and music in general, then become a patron at http://marcgunn.net
