In a few short weeks, this Italian girl is going to the land of the Irish.
A delayed 50th birthday extravaganza with a visit to my college bestie’s son who is studying abroad plus pubs aplenty equals a whole lot of shenanigans with a dash of malarkey.
I first visited Ireland some years back, and it is true that the green there is beyond anything you can fathom here in the States. I took tons of photographs and the bright shades and variegated hues do not translate to pictures compared to being in person. It is easily one of the most beautiful places I have had the privilege of visiting, and I am so excited to be making the return trip.
As always, my hearing loss will impact my voyage abroad in a myriad of ways, including the following, presented here in no particular order:
Understanding the regional accents.
On my first visit, I found myself at a lovely dinner with locals from Araglin, County Cork. A very lively, friendly group of people who told stories peppered with raucous laughter and some singing breaking out from time to time. As is too often the case with hearing loss, I found myself in the role of observer as opposed to participant. I could not understand a single word – partly due to the noise in the pub, but largely due to the accents. In fairness, they probably couldn’t understand me, either, with my dropped “r” and rapid speech rate! Regardless, I spent the evening praying to any deity that would listen that no one would ask me a direct question. My acting skills were on display as I nodded and laughed along with the group, nary a clue of what was happening around me.
Navigating the Airport.
The TSA and I are in an intimate relationship. Since being detained by the secret Italian police in a sketchy room hungover as all hell on New Year’s Day in 2001, I am most definitely on a “watch list”. Each time I fly, there is a lengthy pawing through of my bags followed by a lengthy pawing of my person by the security team. I know my rights under the law and demand same sex security personnel, a witnessing supervisor, occasionally a request for a police officer for fun and the presence of a travel companion with the legal option to video tape the entire interaction. This experience is humiliating enough, even though I know it is inevitable, but made worse by the added layer of disclosing my hearing loss. And disclose I do – loudly and often to every single agent in my path. It is necessary to ensure accurate communication and to dispel doubt on their parts that I am up to no good if I do not hear them or follow a command the first time due to my hearing loss. But I suppose this is what happens when you fit the description of an international drug smuggler at the Milan airport. (True story, happy to tell this epic tale to anyone that wants to hear it – it will cost you a beer and a little of your time).
Packing.
Packing is stressful enough when I travel nationally, but international presents a whole new set of challenges because I do not have the luxury of forgetting something and being able to dash into the nearest CVS. Here are all of the things I need to remember to bring with me on my trip:
- Hearing aid batteries
- Tons and tons of them in the event that they are lost, are duds, and I cannot rely on them being available over in Ireland. They will be placed in my backpack, pocketbook, coat, suitcase, and in the pockets of my travel companions as Brad and his green coat are staying behind on this trip, which is where the emergency stash is usually housed
- Dry Aid Kit
- I have a plug-in version that I use at home, but I think I am going to purchase one of the screw cap containers that Brad uses with the desiccant bead pouches instead to avoid the risk of not being able to plug in the dehumidifier even with the travel plug adapters. Just in case. And I may pack two of these considering the amount of rainfall occurring over there this time of year!
- Plastic Tubing and Spare Molds
- A necessity because these are definitely things that I cannot get anywhere but my audiologist back here at home. Luckily, I am planning on getting a tube replacement a week before we leave as well as a general hearing aid “once over” to be triple sure that all is in working order. However, there are never any guarantees that a technical mishap will happen when I am far away from home. These items are at the top of the list, right behind the batteries.
- Cherry Chapstick
- I could argue that this is even more critical than anything related to hearing aid care and maintenance. My very survival depends on my Cherry Chapstick application. (Excuse me while I purchase a 12 pack on Amazon right this very second…and yes, I will likely pack all 12 in various pockets and pouches for this trip…)
I hope to report back during the trip about the trials and triumphs of my adventures in Eire through short videos and perhaps a short blog or two depending on time and coherence post-pub sessions! I will definitely write it all up upon my return.
In the meantime, raise a pint and play my favorite songs by Irish groups – here is the (very short) playlist with links to YouTube for your listening pleasure:
*note: all of these have captions, be sure to click the CC icon!
- “Dreams” by The Cranberries
- “The Whole of the Moon” by The Waterboys
- “Dirty Old Town” by The Pogues
- “Four Green Fields” by Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy
- *lyrics here
- “The Parting Glass” by The High Kings
And of course…”For Boston” by The Dropkick Murphys – to honor the Eagles I am taking flight with on this trip as well as in memory of the best father-in-law a girl could ever have had – John Lane, BC Class of 1961.
And for the non-Eagles among us…here are the lyrics – learn them well, people!
For Boston, for Boston, we sing our proud refrain
For Boston, for Boston, ’tis wisdom’s earthly fame
For here all are one and our hearts are true
And the towers on the heights reach the heavens’ own blue
For Boston, for Boston, ’til the echoes ring again
For Boston, for Boston, thy glory is our own
For Boston, for Boston, ’tis here that truth is known
And ever with a right shall our heirs be found
‘Til time shall be no more and thy work is crowned
For Boston, for Boston, thy glory is our own
‘Tis all for now, be on the lookout for updates once this Eagle has landed!
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