Urge to Splurge

Dana Cooke is sometimes referred to as Little Dana by her coworkers. But perhaps big is a better word to describe her talents. As a graphic designer for Pink Magazine, you can see her creative designs and artistic talents every month throughout our pages. While art and design are her passion and career, traveling the world is something she dreams of.

Three years ago she acted on that dream. This little designer fulfilled a big urge to splurge by traveling to a place she has always wanted to see. In March of 2005 she followed her heart, and a band, to Ireland for the ultimate groupie experience.

Enter the Hagis is a Celtic rock band who invited 50 of their fans to travel with them on their tour of Ireland. Dana wasted no time jumping on board. "I have always wanted to go. Finally the opportunity came and I took it."
Dana's trip started with a 6  hour plane ride and lasted 5 days. She spent time in places like Killarney, Galway and Dublin. One of her favorite places was a small town called Dingle. "It was so cute," Dana said. She describes it as a little fishing town with colorful buildings.

Although she took this journey with the band, most of the time Dana and her fellow travelers went off on their own to explore the country. "One of the best experiences was when I got lost in Dublin," Dana says. "I saw everything first hand, but not just the typical 'touristy' stuff like Grafton Street. It was pretty cool."

Dana saw some amazing things on her trip. She visited the national library in Dublin and the Connemara Mountains, where they still burn peat for heating. She also visited Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, and Dirty Nelly's, one of the oldest pubs in Ireland, dating back to 1620.  And of course, she drank a pint of Guinness, ate some fish and chips, and kissed the Blarney stone, which interestingly she had to do upside down.
The country is full of green pastures, mountains and ancient stone castles which Dana describes as amazing. Her trip was filled with viewing the beautiful scenery, sampling the native foods, going to the band's concerts and making lifelong memories.

Driving through the mountains one day Dana remembers coming to one very scary turn known as "the devils elbow." She recalls her tour bus driver's words of advice after safely making it around the bend. "Live everyday as if it were your last, because one day it will be!"

These are words we should all learn to live by. Dana fulfilled a lifelong dream by acting on her urge to splurge. She saw a place she had never seen and had an amazing experience she will remember forever. "It was worth it. I would do it all again."

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