Ready or Not...Ireland, Here We Come!

May 6th...and we're off!

We've prepared as best we can, shopped for comfortable shoes, carry-on bags, backpacks, a Euro compatible blow dryer, etc.  I've packed and repacked my suitcase, weighed my suitcase and great...37.5 lbs., well within the 50 lb. limit.  I also measured my carry-on bag.  Our flight doesn't leave until 10:00 p.m., but we leave the house early enough so we'll be at the airport two hours ahead of flight time.  Heading down the driveway..."passport?  ticket information?  suitcases?"

 

Our son kindly offered to be our chauffeur to the airport, eliminating the cost of parking for three weeks and also the worry about the safety of our vehicle parked at the airport for that length of time.  Arriving at Dulles AP, Andrew drops us off in "Departing Flight Zone."  He helps us with our baggage, hugs goodbye and we're on our own from here.

After grabbing a luggage cart, we head over to United Airline Departures.  Boy am I happy that I made a folder with copies of our reservations and confirmation number, seat assignments, and all pertinent information for the flight.  Check-in was fairly simple, but I felt like a fish-out-of-water since my last flight.  I thought you still just handed all your information to the Steward behind the counter.  Nope...you now interact first, with a "kiosk" to check-in.  Once you've checked in on the kiosk, the Steward, weighs the baggage, verifies your passport, and hands us the boarding pass. 

Next stop, Baggage Security where your baggage goes through the scanning process before loading on the plane. 

Enjoyed the people mover, just step on the moving belt which takes you to the back of the airport. Welcome to TSA Passenger Check-in.  These folks have the process down pat.  I was greeted by a very friendly fellow, who not only checked my carry-on bags, but complimented me on my luggage as well, he also checked my passport and boarding pass, and wished us both a safe and enjoyable vacation. But TSA isn't finished with us yet...

Moving through the TSA area, we have the experience of removing shoes, walking through the security scanner and holding up your arms as "smile" your picture is taken.  Get your shoes back on, grab your baggage, and catch the train to the Departure Gates.  Hold on...it moves on out at a quick pace!

Once we arrive over at the Departure Building, check in at the gate, Wayne's hungry.  Hey we didn't eat dinner and it's 9:00 p.m.  We find a little sandwich shop, and surprisingly enough, it's not too expensive and the subs/sandwiches were really good. Finally 9:30 p.m., and we can board the plane. 

Find your seat, stow your carry-on bag, buckle in...

 

 

Ireland...Here We Come!!

Get Your Ducks In A Row...

One thing I learned from Dad..."get your ducks in a row," and that's exactly what this post is all about.

With our children grown, families of their own, you'd think we would have updated our will since they were younger right...wrong.  So now is the time to get our ducks in a row!

We have used the same attorney for many years to handle real estate settlements.  Previously we discussed with him obtaining a will.  Well...I'm sure he would do a tremendous job in the preparation of our Will and charge five hundred dollars, if not more for this great honor.

Several Will Maker computer packages from your local Staples store, Office Depot, or applications online are available for purchase.  We opted to use the same form I had used several years ago for someone else and thus began the process of preparing a Will for Wayne and myself.  Seems an easy task to undertake, but there really is so much to think about when you are the one deciding how your estate should be handled, and will be relying on a chosen individual to carry out the task.  After researching current Will and Estate laws in Virginia on the internet, our decisions were somewhat clear.

One great suggestion is to keep things simple.  You really can get too wordy and in doing so, open a whole new can of worms.  Be precise and accurate with your bequeaths and inheritances.  If there is something special you want to say to someone, write them a personal note.

In addition to the will itself, we prepared a form which detailed all of our current financial information, with account numbers, contact numbers, loan amounts, payoffs, insurance company accounts with numbers and contacts...well you get the idea.  My suggestion is to make a separate list for: banks, insurance companies, personal accounts, household accounts, etc.  This enables the Executor of your Will to have all the current information available.

Once the Will was completed, Wayne and I went to our bank where the Will was witnessed by two individuals and also stamped and sealed by the Bank Notary.



Now I certainly plan on Wayne and I returning home and if the Good Lord deems it so, live on to see our beautiful Grandchildren grow to become adults.  But just in case...

Baggage Regulations, Packing, Check and Recheck!

Sure has been a while since I've flown, 1979, and boy have things changed.  There are a lot of regulations concerning baggage and the items you can pack, especially in your carry-on bag.

Due to the ever changing security issues in the US and abroad, TSA has enhanced their security in Airports for the safety of passengers and their luggage.  Let's keep in mind and appreciate that what they are asking us to do is really not unreasonable.  Really...well gee all you have to do is:  remove your shoes, walk through the detectors, they pat you down, and next...you hold up your arms in front of the camera and say cheese!  Everyone is rushing through this procedure, so now move quickly to retrieve your carry-on bag, slip your shoes back on, and thank the kind folks for the thrill of the experience.

  Check with your airlines for a copy of the regulations and follow them correctly to save time and inconvenience at the airport.

All passsengers should arrive at the airport one to two hours earlier than their flight is scheduled to depart.  Make sure that all gels, liquids or aerosol items packed in your carry-on luggage are in accordance with TSA requirements.
 

Personal items should be 3.4 ounces or less and placed in a clear plastic zip-top baggie, packed in the top of your carry-on bag.

 

 

Our airline, United Airlines, have their own policies in addition to the TSA requirements.  United permits one carry-on bag plus one personal item carried onto the aircraft.

 

The maximum linear measurement of carry-on bags is 14" X 9" X 22". 

 

All carry-on bags have to be stowed under the seat in front of you or placed in the overhead storage compartment.

Personal items consist of: shoulder bag, backpack, laptop bag. 

Coats, umbrellas, camera, diaper bags are not considered your personal items and may be brought on board.

Included in the price of our ticket, we were allowed to check one large piece of luggage, with the weight not to exceed 50 lbs.  If you exceed the weight limit, be prepared to remove some items, place them in your carry-on bag, or purchase another bag.  Each additional checked bag is an additional fee of $100.00.  Hint here: weigh your bags at home!

Here's a tip:  Verify the current weather and forecasted weather during your stay and pack accordingly.  Remember though, weather, well it's crazy, so pack lightly, but pack so you will be able to dress in layers.  Don't forget to purchase a rain poncho at the Dollar Store and stow in your carry-on bag.


When Are We Going To Go... How Are We Going To Get There??

First we needed to determine just how long were we going to be able to get away for.  One week?  Good grief...if you are going to travel all the way to Ireland and it costs quite a bit to travel there, might as well go for at least two weeks.  Oh heck, we're gonna make it three.  Really...can we get away for three weeks?  Ok ...throw caution to the wind...Absolutely!!!

Our friends, Jerry and Olga, were leaving in April and would be arriving in France before taking a ferry to Ireland.  As much as we would liked to have left with them in April, that just wasn't in the cards for us. Wayne and I had never in our thirty-four years  together had ever taken more than one week of vacation, let alone three.  I felt lucky and blessed for sure to be taking a three week vacation.  A three week vacation to Ireland...Oh Happy Days!! 

We wanted to be able to spend as much time in Ireland as possible, so we decided to fly.  Jerry had arranged a "house trade" with someone who lived in Clonakilty, Ireland.  This would be our "Home Base" for a bit.  Now back in April of 1979, I travelled to England and Germany for work. The weather in April was really quite chilly...actually down right cold so we decided to meet the Hills in May.

In January, I began researching for airflights to Ireland in early May and came up with several options.  The cheaper flights were transfers, once...maybe twice and this would take us 10 to 15 hours to arrive in Dublin. Wayne quickly decided to fly non-stop to Dublin, even if the flight was two hundred dollars more, we'd have a shorter flight, less chance of baggage loss and fewer worries.  Now here's some great advice...plan your trip and book flights early.  Each day the price of the flight increases.  I waited a few days to get my funds together and the flight went up slightly.  Finally...we were booked on United Flight 126 from Dulles Airport, non-stop to Dublin, Ireland, and our return flight booked as well.  Our flight was paid for.   Woo Hoo - this is becoming a reality now.

Money Money Money Money...MONEY!

Travelling abroad was presenting us with some choices regarding money.  The old fashioned way was to obtain traveller's checks.  Today there are several options: Credit Cards with the European chip, Travel Cards which you load a chosen amount of money on with a limited amount of reloads and charges by the bank.

The one we chose was a debit card from our bank.  The pros of this choice were: usage of our debit card at an ATM would be the same as in the US to obtain cash.  Dependent on the country you are in, you would receive cash in the currency of that country.  We could also use the card as a point of sale card. At the time of the sale, you decide if you want the sale to be , for example, Euros or US Dollars.

Another pro was if there were any issues regarding the card, we had a number 24/7 to contact our bank regarding our account.  We also gave the bank our itinerary so they'd have an idea if there were any fraudulent charges against our account.

 The cons were pretty much the same as in the US,  fees would be charged at each ATM for cash.  In addition though, there would also be a conversion rate charged for money i.e., Euros, Pounds, etc.

We figured you have to pay the conversion rate somewhere, so we might as well just go through the bank.

The best advice we can give is "go to your bank and discuss your travel plans with them.  They are prepared to advise you which choice will meet your needs best."

First We've Got To Get A Passport!

Every U.S. Citizen desiring to travel to another country, including infants, need a passport.  Hoping to make this process easier for you, listed below are some suggestions for you. One important thing to keep in mind is "start early."  Give yourself enough time to collect all personal information.  Don't wait until the last minute or you might be delaying your trip.

Listed below is a lot of information, but hopefully helpful.

Fill out Form DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport .  Both the paper and the electronic forms are located on the Department’s website at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html.

Next you'll need to locate appropriate evidence of your U.S. citizenship. Evidence of U.S. citizenship accepted by the Department includes:

• A previously issued U.S. Passport. Previously issued U.S. Passports presented as evidence of citizenship must be undamaged and legible.  If you submit a passport, you won't need to send your birth certificate.

• A certified birth certificate issued by the city, county or state. A certified birth certificate has a registrar's seal and signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar's office. This date must have been within 1 year of your birth. After March 31, 2011, all birth certificates must also include the full names of the Applicant's parents.
• Valid Driver's License. The driver’s license must have been issued by a U.S. state. Make a legible copy.
• Current Government identification card. Accepted government ID includes any identification card issued by a city, state, or federal government.
• Current Military identification card. Accepted military ID includes both military and dependent identification cards issued by the U.S. military.

Make a copy of your ID. The copy must include both the front and the back of the document, be on plain white 8 ½” by 11 ½” paper, and contain images only on one side of the page.

Obtain a passport photograph. Your photograph must meet very strict requirements, which can be found on the Department’s website at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotoreq/pptphotoreq_5333.html. You may take the photograph yourself or use a professional passport photograph service such as:

• CVS. CVS offers passport photography services for under $10 at 1000’s of locations. Photographs adhere to the Department’s standards for passport photos.
• Walgreens. Walgreens offers passport photo services for just under $10 at most Walgreen stores.
• Post offices. Most post offices offer photography for passports and the charge is generally nominal. Visit your local post office, if you know when you are going to travel, then tell them the dates to hold your mail.
• Local photography studios. Many local photography studios offer passport and other government ID photo services at very reasonable prices. Check your phone book for studios near you offering passport photography services.

Submit your completed Form DS-11, citizenship documentation, present identification, copy of your ID, and passport photo to the Department in person. You may submit this information to either an Acceptance Facility or a Passport Agency or Center.

 

Accomplishing the above tasks were not too difficult.  Once we had our application forms filled out for the passport, we contacted the Vital Records Department for Washington D.C., as this was where Wayne and I were both born.   We filled out the application online for Birth Certificates, obtained the required personal information, made copies of our driver's licenses and paid the fee online. The certificates were mailed to us within two weeks.

Next, we contacted our local Post Office and set up an appointment to come in and file our applications.  Don't forget to take the required copies of personal information. I had a previous, though expired passport and that was acceptable in lieu of my birth certificate.  The fee to the Post Office was $25.00 per application for their handling fees which we paid with our check card. A fee of  $110.00 to the State Department for each passport application.The State Department only accepts personal checks or money orders. 

We also had our passport photo taken at our local Rite Aid store for $10.00 per person. Be prepared your photo might turn out looking like a convict photo...just kidding, but it won't be your most flattering photo.

We received our passports within two weeks.

 

Our trip of a lifetime...

                                     

 Friends....true friends are folks you don't have to see every day, every week, every month...well you get the idea. Last summer our long time friends Jerry and Olga visited us. Jerry was discussing his bucket list and mentioned he was going to Ireland next spring. Course I said I'd love to go and Wayne said..."well let's go!" Really?? He was for real and so thanks to these wonderful folks including us on their adventure, we'll be tagging along, making memories.  

How exciting is it...a once in a lifetime trip and Wayne and I are off to explore Ireland.

First though,  preparation steps.  Paperwork, passports, it's a lot.  I'm going to share our steps along this journey...from beginning to end.  I hope this information will be informative for those planning a trip abroad and also fun to share our experiences along the way. 

 So come on...travel along with us.            I'm sooooo excited!!!