Since joining the Global Traveler staff as Art Director more than three years ago, I have seen the world. I have marveled at the colorful tiles of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, stared in awe at the Great Wall of China and gazed at the Pyramids of Giza. I have been taken aback by the interesting sculptures in the streets of Guadalajara, and the creatures living in the rainforests of Panama. I have spent years soaking up the culture and sights found on the pages of Global Traveler magazine every month. However, I have a dirty little secret: I have been living vicariously through the writers and photographers that provide me with these articles and photos every month. As of last October, I had not been outside the country for nine years. My last trip was to Aruba in October 2001, just one month after the Sept. 11th attacks. The airports hadn’t quite figured out their new security measures, and it was time-consuming and frustrating. Our bags kept getting searched, and we were continually sent into one long line after another and almost missed two of our connecting flights. After that experience, I had no interest in flying internationally ever again. For the past nine years, I had not ventured much further than my neighboring states. I had found so many wonderful places within driving distance of my home in southcentral Pennsylvania. Upstate New York, to my north, has a wonderful wine trail along Seneca Lake which we try to visit twice a year. Maryland, to my south, has the magnificent Chesapeake Bay and great beaches, which we enjoy in the summer. I had been content staying close to home and exploring the local attractions. But the pages full of colorful photos drew me in, and I longed to explore places I’ve never seen in person. So when the opportunity to visit Ireland came up, I jumped at the chance! My husband and I left plenty of time to get to the airport and go through the lengthy screening procedures. We actually gave ourselves too much time, so we indulged in dinner and cocktails at JFK. We didn’t have to sprint across the airport once. When we arrived in Ireland, everything went smoothly. We got to experience many things we couldn’t in our little corner of the United States. We drove on the left side of the road, stayed in a 16th-century castle and visited ancient Druid ruins. You certainly can’t find any ancient Druid ruins in Maryland, and if you drive on the left side of the road, you’ll be in for a rude awakening! So I have replaced the memory of travel troubles with one of ease, exploration and enjoyment. Now I hope to get out of the country more often.  We’re even thinking about taking a trip back to Aruba for our anniversary. — Tracey Cullen, art director