Some people have zero desire to travel. In fact, I’ve heard some say, “I can watch documentaries about other places on TV, so there is no reason to go there.” I find that amazing. In fact, I practice the opposite theory – traveling somewhere and then, if time permits, watching TV – but only because I’m on vacation.
This week’s travels are more of a staycation, because I am traveling to the Southern part of the state and doing so by car. Miss Information is my traveling companion and, in an attempt to make it perfect, we stopped to purchase a caraoke microphone for her. While selecting the microphone we noticed they also had recorders. “I remember tinkering around on one of these in grade school,” I told her. “Me too. Let’s each get one so we can play songs together,” she suggested.
We did and, because of the many great sights along the way, we didn’t end up playing the recorders or doing caraoke. Our favorite stop was in a city called Beaver. “I think we better get a Beaver fill-up. Not sure we can drive much further without one,” Miss Information told me. “So true,” I replied. Beaver, because of the name alone, is a popular tourist attraction. So much so, they have come up with stickers, magnets and t-shirts that read, “I ♥ Beaver.” “Million dollar idea,” the sales associate informed me as I purchased several of each.
Being that we were going to a small town, and it was Sunday, by the time we arrived there really wasn’t much to do. Thus, I did what I occasionally do on vacation – I watched TV. Oreggano would be so proud. I didn’t, however, watch much. I stumbled upon a show called “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding,” and went no further. Marathon episodes about the Irish Travellers’ weddings had me completely enthralled.
If you have not seen this show, I highly recommend checking it out. As you’re watching it, if the clothes don’t draw you in, the accents and spray tans will. Intrigued by what I saw, I decided to do a little research about Irish Travellers. Turns out we have something in common – we mend things for a living. They tinker around mending pots, pans, kettles and other utensils and I tinker around mending my ways. At the end of the day (that was for you Alice), we all return home – them to a trailer (traditionally) and me, like Marvin Gaye, to wherever I lay my “Mother Trucker” ball cap (that’s my home).