We leave in two days.

In 2006, my friend Charann called me up out of the blue to ask for a favor. You see, her and her friend wanted to go to Ireland, but her dad would not let the two of them go without a male chaperone… preferably someone with international travel experience. I fit the profile. The flight would be paid for, so all I had to do… was leave in two days.

At 19, this was easy. My only commitment at the time was my cashier job at the local Giant Eagle grocery store. I convinced my coworkers to fill my hours and told my manager I would be back and off I was to the Emerald Isle.

I fell in love with Ireland, and to this day it is hands down one of the most beautiful countries I have visited. We explored Dublin, the Irish Sea coast, Adare Manor, and the Cliffs of Moher.

Although the flight was paid for by my friend, I was on my own for food. With my entire bank account exchanged, I had just about €100 to last the 8-day trip. I made it to the last day and the last meal when the bill arrived and I checked my account only to see I had over drafted.

I had one maxed out credit card that I handed the waiter, hoping it would kindly let me take on more debt… just this once. The waiter was kind and said that sometimes American credit cards get rejected. My friend Charann stepped in to help me out with that one last meal. It was amazing, though, that I was able to make €100 last almost the entire trip.

I was thankful for the experience and that I was invited to accompany my friend. I couldn’t wait to go back, and fortunately had the chance a decade later in 2016.