Most people like direct flights. None of this connecting in distant cities. None of this delay and trouble.
I think it is an American thing. We only have so much time to travel and we want to get on with it. We think “Let’s get to the good stuff.”
I, on the other hand, love connecting flights. Let me clarify. I love me some transitioning into new places. I don’t like being flung in to somewhere new without, you know, getting to know her first. This is why I like to fly to Ireland or the UK first before I head to the rest of Europe.
I need some ‘remedial unfamiliarity’ at the beginning. Ireland and the UK are perfect for that because while they are certainly unfamiliar, at least I have a fighting chance to warm up to that unfamiliarity. For all of my confusion of what the heck is going on, I can at least speak (sorta) the language. I have seen the TV shows. I have heard about the good and bad food (blood pudding-eck). Ok, the wrong side of the road thing never gets easier. I recover faster because the flight is shorter. The time change is not as dramatic. The culture is recognizable. The accents are amazing.
But most of all, they love and enjoy Americans. The feeling is mutual.
Cherrio!
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