So excited for our trip!

I will be traveling with my mom! She wants me to learn about my heritage. Two weeks in Ireland (my dad's family), and two weeks in Sweden (my mom's family), and 4 days in NYC to do some research on Ellis Island (my mom's first time in NY, and will be my third).

In Ireland, Temple Bar will draw us in for our first pint, along with Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Distillery. We'll head west hitting all the wonderful sights in County Cork, Tipperary (dad's family hails from Kilfannae), Kerry and Claire.  Once on the west coast of Ireland, we'll head north for traditional music in County Galway and Mayo (including the castle in the movie "Leap Year").  We have definite plans to dance ... we have our hardshoes packed!

In Sweden, we'll be in Stockholm for 3 days, travel south to Monsteras to stay with family and see Kalmar and the Crystal country, then up to Nykoping with more family at the Gota Canal. The next part is super exciting as we'll be in Dalarna in the city of Leksand for a very traditional Swedish Midsommar. Finally to Uppsala where my mom went to school when she was my age as an exchange student from Cal State Long Beach!

New York is my time to show my mom the sights:  Ellis Island, Times Square, Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, and the NY subway.  New York cheesecake is calling my name as well as a slice of pizza and a hot dog straight from a sidewalk stand.

5 weeks - 35 days.  Can you handle it?  Oh yeah!