Solo Travel Archives - Manipulated Reality

Trusting Randomness

I’ve decided to just give into trusting randomness on this trip. It seems to have served me well so far and I like the spontaneity of it. By going with the flow of random encounters and circumstances, I’ve made new friends, been introduced to restaurants, cafes and pubs that have quickly become my favorites, plus have had a whole lot of fun along the way!

french cafe in Galway Ireland by Julie Miche

Java’s is such a cozy cafe.

It all started when my host recommended a restaurant called the High Cafe in the Latin Quarter of Galway, Ireland. His directions were somewhat obscure… Turn left out of the apartment, make a right past the pizza place, cross over the first street, go up a couple blocks, turn left, and it’s up on the second floor. I wondered if any of the streets had names. It couldn’t be that hard to find, right? It was only a few blocks from where I was staying.

After circling several blocks many times, I stood standing on a corner looking very lost, and was contemplating whether or not to make another round. I was approached by a man that started speaking Spanish. I thought he was lost, and trying to ask for help. I apologized, and told him I didn’t understand Spanish.

He suddenly started speaking English. He was actually a local Irishman that thought I was from Spain. He said I looked Spanish. Hmmm… Since I’ve never been to Spain, I wasn’t sure if it was true or it was a pick up line. Either way, it was funny and we struck up a conversation on the corner.

He was heading to a French cafe for coffee and invited me to join him. I figured why not? Part of the adventure of traveling solo is meeting new people, and this seemed like a good start.

trusting randomness in Java's cafe by Julie Miche

Love hanging out here!

We went to Java’s Creperie and Cafe Francais. It’s such an adorable, cozy cafe, and was a perfect place to hang out. I was happy to see the many different options of crepes to choose from, since I was now starving! Despite the many choices, my sweet tooth won out… It’s hard to turn down Nutella crepes for dinner!

Java’s has quickly became one of my favorites in Galway, Ireland and I’ve already started bringing friends here. So, in honor of trusting randomness, I have decided my mantra for the trip should be “Why Not”?

Coffee at Java’s!

Check out Surfing in Bundoran, Ireland

My First airbnb

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

In search of my first airbnb… Several friends have used airbnb, and recommended trying it as I traveled around Ireland. Since I would be traveling solo, it also seemed like a great way to get to know some local people.

I began searching for my first airbnb a few weeks prior to my trip. I was able to save places I liked on a wish list, so I could sort through and compare my options. I read through reviews written by previous guests, and tried to narrow it down.

As I was about to make my decision, a new property popped up. It was in the perfect location in the Latin Quarter of Galway, and right where I wanted to be. The only problem was that the host was brand new to airbnb, which meant there weren’t any reviews. I went back and forth trying to decide if I should take a risk.

I finally decided to take a leap of faith. I booked six days, and hoped he wasn’t a serial killer. I kept telling myself that things like that only happen in the movies…

I was so excited when I arrived at my first airbnb. The location was absolutely perfect, and my host was waiting outside to meet me. My first impression was that he apperared normal, and that put me at ease.

my Galway, Ireland airbnb by Julie Miche

My first airbnb in Galway, Ireland

He gave me the tour of his very lovely two story apartment, showed me my room, and then we chatted. We had a good laugh as we discussed our nervousness. This was, after all, the first airbnb experience for both of us. I was his first guest, and I hadn’t even considered he might be a bit worried as to who was going to show up at his door.

I think we both were relieved!

This place oozes charm!

Check out Trusting Randomness

Ireland… I’m Back!

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Back in Ireland… As I step off the plane and into the Dublin Airport, I realize I am grinning like a lunatic that has escaped the asylum. I don’t care what anyone thinks. My soul is happy. I am back in Ireland, and adventure awaits me.

back in Ireland and happy by Julie Miche

So happy to be back in Ireland!

I continue to walk through the airport in search of the bus which will bring me to Galway. I have been on 3 planes, and traveling now for 19 hours. I still have a 2 1/2 hour bus ride to my destination, but I don’t feel tired at all. In fact, I’m invigorated. I wonder when the jet lag will kick in… The thought is fleeting.

I find my bus to Galway, making sure it is the Express Route. I took the 5 1/2 hour scenic route the last time. I don’t want a repeat.

I take my seat, and begin to dream my way through the Irish countryside. The ride flies by… Hmmm, perhaps I dozed.

I arrive in Galway, and make my way through Eyre Square. I’m amazed at how quickly I find my way around. Before I know it, I find myself in the Latin Quarter.

Buskers in Galway, Ireland

Everything is so familiar. I feel like I’m finally home.

Ready, Set, Go! Ireland Bound!

By Julie Miche Leave a Comment

Ireland Bound

Ready, Set, Go…. It should have been that easy right?

I knew I was going to return to Ireland before I had even returned from my last trip there. I was in love with the country, and knew I’d be back for more… Love is like that after all. Who doesn’t want more of a good thing?

It was just a matter of figuring out the details… Where would I stay? How would I finance this adventure? How long would I be able to do this for?

This trip was also somewhat of a test for myself. Could I give up having an actual home, and start my dream of living the gypsy life? I’ve been thinking about it for awhile, and was more than ready to go. I had originally planned on throwing some stuff in storage, selling what I no longer needed, and just using airbnb as living quarters along the way. This, however, freaked out some of my friends and family that weren’t quite as enthusiastic about my plan as I was.

They thought I might regret giving up my apartment in Santa Barbara… It is a pretty sweet place, and in the perfect location! I think their actual motives were that, they would have to find a new place to stay while vacationing in Santa Barbara… Kidding aside, I considered other options.

I decided to sublet my place for the next two months. I thought that was the safer option, just in the event my gypsy life didn’t work out. So, I found a 70 year old man that wanted to test the waters of retiring in Santa Barbara, and sublet it to him. He seemed like a safe bet. I put my personal belongings in storage, and crossed my fingers that all was going to work out.

I secured my first six days lodging in Galway, Ireland through airbnb, and booked a few days at a surf lodge in Bundoran, Ireland. I decided to wing the rest of the trip, seeing where the Universe would take me.

I had worked enough the previous months, and was good to go with the financing… Or so I thought!

My car decided it needed some TLC days before I was ready to leave… My travel budget took a $600 hit. Ouch!

Next, there was the call from my bank. My business checking account had been hit with fraudulent charges. Someone in China had managed to make a physical copy of my credit card, and go on a shopping spree. The first charge was for $800 worth of awnings! Really? Wow! Eight more charges followed… How was this not caught immediately?

It was time to sell something that would save the budget. I had a piece of gold jewelry sitting stored in a closet that would do the job… Trip saved!

I’ve been flying standby for the past year, so I’ve got used to getting bumped to the next flight. I’ve spent more time in some airports than I ever thought I would, which can be mentally challenging after awhile. I’ve never flown standby internationally, and was hoping for the best.

The night before I was ready to leave, I had to scramble to rearrange my flights. My original plan was hopeless. All the flights out of Los Angeles were so oversold that I would never make it onto any of them. My only hope was to fly out of Santa Barbara, which added one more flight into the mix. I had no choice… My sub-letter was moving in the next day, and I would be homeless. What’s one more flight anyway?

Shockingly, I made all three of my standby flights! Put this one down the record books! I took it as a good sign that the rest of the trip would go well!

Flying standby to Dublin, Ireland by Julie Miche

Flying to Ireland!