2 *****************
What I’ve done so far

I already have my passport, so that part was easy. I booked my flight from Chicago to Dublin. Florence will pick me up from the airport and I will stay with her and her husband, Raymond. So, the three big things to get off the list, passport, air and lodging, are taken care of.

Now, what to pack, what to pack, what to pack? I’m still working on that, but since there will probably be some rain and only about 50 degrees Fahrenheit, I’m thinking umbrella, rain coat and clothes I can layer. Also, I wanted some really good walking shoes. Being 62 years old and not very active (plus somewhat overweight – shhh – don’t tell anyone), I’ve been concerned about all that walking, so I started exercising and walking. Since its winter here in Wisconsin, it’s more exercising than walking at this point, though. Hopefully when it gets a little warmer, I will get to do more walking.

Currency – Next issue was money. North Ireland (where Florence lives) uses British Pounds Sterling and the Republic of Ireland (which is very close and we will be visiting) uses Euros. I went to my local bank and they ordered the foreign currency from Wells Fargo for me. I should have gone directly to some place like Wells Fargo, however, because it cost me more money for the foreign currency than what the exchange rate indicated – almost 5% more. Okay, that was an expensive lesson!

My older son, Cory, and I are going to go to Scotland in September (but that will be another article). I figure that any foreign currency I have left over from the Ireland trip I can use for Scotland. Cory’s wife, Alexa, was in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales on a high school trip and really enjoyed it.

Wallet – I found a combination check book and coin purse / wallet at a big box store with two separate pockets so I can keep the Euro change separate from the Pounds change. If I use the two sides meant for the checkbook and register for the Euros and Pounds I will be able to keep all of it segregated.

Maybe I should throw in a few quarters and dimes and mix them all together. That should make buying something REALLY complicated. No, maybe just keep them separate and be able to enjoy the shopping. 

Money belt – I also bought a money belt. I don’t want to keep all my money in one place, just in case. The checkbook / purse will go in my belly bag and some of the extra money will go in my backpack. I figure even I can’t lose all three of those.  I do have an advantage on this trip in that I don’t have to worry about leaving anything in a hotel room. For the trip to Scotland, that will be another issue.