Usually I don't like to socialize on planes but sometimes you can learn a lot of things and meet some interesting people. On the way back from Dublin a few weeks back I sat next to a chatty Irish lady. She said she flies to Philadelphia a few times a year to spend time with her friend in Delaware. Saying she was going over for thanksgiving because everyone wants the Irish girl to make some sheperds pie and creamy mash. Haha although she said she is going to cut her flying down to once maybe twice a year as she was 76 and a TATL wears her down, even relatively short ones.

When I mentioned I flew to Dublin for the USA vs Ireland soccer game and that PHL wasn't my final destination, I still had to take a flight to DFW, then from there take a flight to ELP, then an hour drive home her jaw dropped and she said she would never do that for a football match. Then said that I was still young and it is great to travel when I can and enjoy it. She talked about how she used to fly even more frequently in her younger days, would get the occasional upgrade on Aer Lingus, also said that even though she hates the English they sure do know how to run a good airline. BA has always been good to her when she has flown them. She hates Ryanair though, said they charged her for a cup of water to take her medicine.

Was great and she was saying about how friendly the Irish are and Americans are always welcome. Her dad used to give weary travelers a place to stay and a meal for free when she was growing up. Kinda creeped out though when she said she used to live in Belfast for a bit and said Americans are welcome everywhere, but she said she couldn't go to a protestant area because she was Catholic and apparently there would be trouble.

The chatting, plus watching a bit of the movie and playing some video games on my phone plus a quick nap and that was the fastest 7 hour flight I have ever had.