WEEEEEEE! Pre-Ireland shopping spree!

Melissa5 · Guru

WEEEEEEE! Pre-Ireland shopping spree!

CCJPO · Member

No

Mark D · Senior Member

Hello Melissa !!

I remember my wife and I asked for lots of travel things for Christmas.

Each item we used made the trip alot smoother. I am pretty sure we spent a lot of time shopping for things as well. Being able to leave your main bags in your room or trunk of car is great. Nothing like having a back seat full of scattered clothes etc,when you only needed to grab a single item for the day !

Be sure to let us know how things went !

Regards,

Mark D.

-- Edited by Mark D at 21:11, 2006-06-23

yesiree · Guru

Although, I don't think I quite have Melissa's enthusiam. I did receive one of those pocket bags as a bon voyage gift. Didn't think much of it until I used it to separate dirty laundry in my suitcase and then haul the clothes to the laundry. Then I used it to carry my stuff to the shower in a hostel. Then it was a shopping bag, then a beach bag, then picnic bag...it really got the job done.

The one I have is durable and water-resistant (which came in handy when my sunblock cap came off) and it rolls up to the size of a pair of socks.

I also like having two camera cases. A little one that holds just the camera and spare battery. And a bigger one that holds the camera/case, charger, cords, etc.

Also like having my travel pack of wet-wipes. I'm not a germ freak, but sometimes it's nice to wipe up your hands after a juicy apple or wipe up a coffee ring from the seat tray or clean up a scratch mid-hike.

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

It sounds like you are having way too much fun. Just wait till your get to Ireland. Imagine the shopping orgy there!

Michele

-- Edited by Michele Erdvig at 01:24, 2006-06-24

Melissa5 · Guru

Mark D, Yesiree, and Michele, thanks for joining me in a little "vicarious shopping" party!

MIchele, am I missing anything on my shopping list for things to buy IN Ireland? I am thinking of Irish linen, lace, hand-knit sweaters (though I am sometimes allergic to itchy wool), Claddagh rings... Any good tea to buy in Ireland? I like black teas. My favorite so far is Taylor and Harrogate's Yorkshire Gold (a black tea).

I did go to real stores today. On-line shopping can be too impulsive. I was disgusted to find that R.E.I had a lotta raingear which was expensive, even on sale, and it had fancy impressive tags, but when you look close, the zippers look like they might not last...Plus it was all made in places like China, where they don't pay the workers much...so WHO is making all that profit for those raincoats which are over $100?

I almost bought a cheap one I saw for $30 which stuffs into a stuff sack. (Yeah I'm intrigued by travel gear that stuffs into a pocket.) But the zipper looked kinda fragile...I'm going to hit the malls again tomorrow. If I don't find something I will just buy it on-line, nice folks on here have given me lots of leads!

But I did come home with 3 shirts on sale from Talbots and a new pepper grinder!

-- Edited by Melissa5 at 05:07, 2006-06-24

Maggie L · Senior Member

Corey, I agree on the hand wipes (although it reminds me of Monk every time I use one ). It's the sticky thing (especially since I rely on apples frequently when travelling).

Your mention of wipes, though, reminded me that I love Brush-Ups from Oral-B. They're "teeth wipes!" They're individually wrapped, just slip on over your index finger, and don't require any water or rinsing. It's not as good as a real tooth-brushing, but in the middle of a long flight or after a meal on the road, they aren't bad!

Maggie

Maggie L · Senior Member

Melissa, you might want to look at the linen/cotton blend Irish sweaters, especially since you live in a warmer climate. I have one Irish wool sweater, but to be honest, I've rarely worn it; it's just too hot and heavy.

As for tea --- girlfriend, this is Ireland! Of course they have great teas!! They have tea flowing through their veins!! As a tea lover, you'll enjoy experimenting with different types and brands.

As for pre-trip shopping, see, it wasn't a complete waste: you found some shirts on sale!! Although I should tell you they already have pepper in Ireland .....

Maggie

Melissa5 · Guru

Maggie, you're funny! I guess I'll leave my pepper grinder at home. As for TEA, I'd love to have a little tea flowing through my veins as well!

Hubby will be in tea heaven, as he feels left out on many vacations, where coffee is the big deal. He hates coffee. Can we get our tea brewed nice and boiling hot and strong? That's how I like it, with milk and sugar. Hubby drinks his black. (Or should I say brown?)

Oh, the hours I could spend tea-shopping in Ireland. I'll have to ask a local which brands are best.

I'm off to the mall today. Searching for that rain-gear. Though Michele says wouldn't it be funny if I get the perfect raincoat and it doesn't rain a drop! I also just ordered another travel umbrella on-line.

I'm also shopping for more light-weight long pants. I have a lotta light-weight capri pants, but Ireland weather sounds more like one of our sunny southern Cal fall or winter days! Hubby will be fine with his light-weight zip-off pants, I think. He has them for hiking and they look fine for dinner as long as it's a casual dinner, not a fancy place.

Off to spend the loot. If I return everything, we could just pay the CDW insurance to the rental car company instead of worrying about the credit card! But what fun would that be?

yesiree · Guru

Maggie - I honestly bought my first package of brush-ups yesterday. You're funny and psychic.

Melissa - A rainjacket with no rain wouldn't be entirely bad

You'll love the fact that you won't have to ask for milk with your tea in Ireland. It'll be served with your tea (as will the sugar).

Those zip-offs will come in handy in the summer in Ireland. Mornings may be chilly, afternoon may be warm, evening could be unpredictable, so the versatility will come in handy.

Just don't let him make the same mistake I made...I put on my zip-off pants in the morning with a pair of black socks and black slip-on shoes...when I went to convert the pants to shorts, my travel companions noted that the shoes and socks really looked quite strange with shorts. It didn't stop me from walking around in the shorts until we got back to the car, but my friends were convinced that everyone was noticing my black socks and white legs.

Melissa5 · Guru

yesiree, the image of you in shorts with black socks and "white legs" is entertaining and reassuring. I'm glad it didn't stop you from enjoying Ireland and being comfortable! Hubby thinks that capri pants on women look funny with any color of socks, but I told him to be quiet and that he has no fashion sense.

I combed the mall today for clothes for Ireland and came home with very little. Lotta stuff on sale, but it's the wrong type of clothing...for a warmer climate. Lotta capris on sale but I have plenty.

I'm going to see what Tilley Endurables has on line. They are expensive but amazingly endurable clothes...they look new through many washings if you are careful what you buy. Very well made, and they don't come apart at the seams.

Maggie L · Senior Member

Aaah, Corey, don't feel too bad about the black footwear and white legs. I can't think there are very many Irishmen with tans! Plus, if the locals really were staring at you, what difference does it make? You're never going to see them again!! They may tell stories in the pub about the Yank with the "chicken legs," but you'll never know about it.

You're both right about the zip-off pants being useful; good for changing temps plus light to pack and quick to dry. My first time in Ireland was in July of '04 and the temps were in the 80's (no, that's not a typo) for several days. Wish I'd had some zip-offs then (and some A/C or a fan or a window that opened more than 3 inches in my room ...).

Maggie

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

This is the type of windbreaker you need: http://shop.nwf.org/264016.html

Maybe not that color but that style. Plus the $19.95 price is right. I think they have different colors on that website.

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

Michele, thanks a bunch! I just ordered those windbreakers for my daughters and I. I'm getting the Iris color, my older daughter said she would wear the pink, and we picked out the light blue for younger daughter. I even ordered a red in xtra large in case the large doesn't fit me. Plus the red has a bear on it and my sister loves bears. And I got all of that for less than the price of the expensive raingear I was looking at! Is there anything you can't find?! You are amazing. (Now for sure it won't rain in Ireland!) 8-)

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

I'm glad those windbreakers suited you. If it does rain you will look like flowers in all those different colors. One year my husband wore a red jacket and I never had any problem finding him anywhere.

Michele

Melissa5 · Guru

Michele, the windbreakers from the link you gave me arrived. I like my purple one. It is well-made for the price. I wondered why it felt so hot with the wind-breaker on, then I remembered we're having a San Diego heat wave. We do look like flowers now! It doesn't have any fancy "breathable" vents and is basic Polyester, not Gortex. But it's light-weight and now I have more money for shopping in Ireland since I didn't buy the $145 raincoats.

Hubby took one look at the box of raincoats and said it will not rain in Ireland due to global warming!

Michele Erdvig · Host

Melissa,

That was quick! I hope your hubby is right.

Michele

Creativitychick · Member

I met a man who was also staying at Heaton's Guesthouse in Dingle. He was asking Cameron, the owner, where he could buy a raincoat in town. I couldn't believe he came to Ireland without a raincoat!

L