We made it home, and it was uneventful. I must say that flying out of the Shannon airport was the easiest flight home I think we have ever had. Shannon is the first airport in the world that offers passengers flying into the US the opportunity to pass through US Customs and border patrol before getting on the plane in Ireland. Thus, when you get off the plane in the US (for us it was in JFK) we did not have to wait in the horrible line and deal with any customs. We simply got off the plane and entered the terminal. It was awesome. Right now Canada, some Caribbean airports, United Emirates, and Ireland offer this.

I really love Ireland. It was really a sad moment for me when we left our home in County Kerry. However, as I have spent the last couple of days reflecting on my trip I have found the following things I have discovered and learned:

1. The Irish people are the most friendly people I have ever encountered on all of my trips.

2. The Irish people love potatoes. I ordered a potato cake at one meal and the side dish it came with    was chips (French fries).

3. Guinness in Ireland tastes MUCH better than what it does in the US. I can't stand the stuff here, but in Ireland I actually drank a couple of pints.

4. Life is much more relaxed over there. Everything moves at a slower pace. No one is in a hurry, no one seems to be on a schedule, shops don't even seem to have hours. They just open "when they get there" and close "when they get tired."

5. I need a sleep machine that makes a sheep sound. I never fell asleep more quickly than when I was listening to the sheep every night.

6. They sure don't build things like they did 1500 years ago. We can't build something that will remain up for more than a century. They built stuff that is still up after over a thousand years.

7. Irish people are really healthy. They may drink a lot of pints, eat a lot of potatoes, and eat a lot of meat, but they walk A LOT. I mean they walk A LOT. If they are not walking they are biking, up big hills, I mean REALLY big hills.

8. I think there are more pubs in Ireland than Starbucks in the US.

9. Traveling  is one of the greatest experiences of life. You can learn so much about different cultures, different people, and different lifestyles. It makes you grateful for what you have and gives you ideas for ways to improve your future.

10. Home is a great place to be. No matter what happens home is always where the heart is.