Brittany J. L. May

On September 7, 2017 I set out on a solo European adventure for a month. Having been diagnosed with anxiety in 2011 I never really thought this was something I’d be comfortable doing. But after waking up tearfully saying goodbye to my sister (parents were on their own trip), throwing up from the nerves, and getting a ride to the airport from my Nanny I found myself, my carry on suitcase, and my backpack at Winnipeg International Airport ready to board a plane to Europe.

Galway, Ireland

My plane landed in Dublin and I went straight for the train to Galway. When I got to the hostel it was too soon to get into my room so I left my luggage in storage and took my weary body on a tour of the streets. First stop, lunch and a Guinness! I was so anxious that I was having trouble keeping food down so I had some soup and bread and set out to get my bearings of the city. My hostel was not too far from the heart of Galway which is Eyre Square. Lots of goings on around that area and tons of shops, pubs, and restaurants surround the park. I found some really cool derelict buildings (for some reason I find them romantic and love to photograph them). Soon I stumbled upon the Claddagh, the Claddagh is where the River Corrib meets Galway Bay back in its heyday it was home to a fishing village just outside the old city walls.

The second day of roaming had me walking 4 kilometres along the Atlantic Ocean. I made my way from the Claddagh all the way to the Blackrock Pier. I dipped my toes in the Atlantic, watched a couple getting their wedding photos and stared up at the big diving boards that only the bravest of folks jump off of for an icy cold swim!

Work in progress. I keep journals while I travel and I’m working to transcribe and share them all here.