It's only 4 days away!

When I booked my flight to Dubllin, Ireland back in October it felt like this day was never going to come. Now it is getting real. I'm all packed and ready for this 2-3 month journey through Europe.

I will traveling like a minimalist for this trip. I'm only taking a small backpack with 2 pairs of pants, a few shirts, some underwear, a laptop, and a kindle.

I know what you're thinking, "this guy is crazy!". You might be right, but I think traveling with just the essentials will be a great experience and I will appreciate the idea of militaristic travel a lot during this experience.

The first leg of the trip will consist of 16 days in Ireland (2 days in Dublin, 5 days in Galway, and 9 more days in Dublin).

While I am in Galway, I plan on taking a trip to the Cliffs of Moher. I posted a picture below for the people who may not be familiar with it.

After I head back to Dublin from Galway, the work will begin. The 2018 Irish Poker Open will start with a €350 6max tournament at the City West Hotel. Just days later will be the start of the main event of the Irish Open, a €1150 tournament (30K starting stack and 60 minute levels). I did not know this but the Irish Poker Open is the longest running poker tournament other than the WSOP Main Event. Check out the venue:

During my time in Dublin, I will accidentally be there for St. Patricks Day! Now that is something I never thought I would do. I can't wait to celebrate the holiday in the place that founded the holiday.

After my stay in Ireland, I am visiting Amsterdam > Brussels > Namur > Gent > Barcelona > I'm not sure where after that...

This trip will be exhausting but a growing experience for me. The fact that I am lucky enough to do what I love and travel while doing it is something I do not take for granted. I realize that there are micro stakes players who dream about doing something like this, I know because I was one of them.

Finally, I remember reading poker players blogs back in the day about all the incredible things and places they were going. My feeling at the time was that the person was just trying to brag. If I ever come off like that, I am sorry. That is not my intention. The truth is, I am just a dumb kid who got lucky to find something that he could make a living from and not hate everyday because of some terrible job. I may not be rich, money may be tight for me sometimes, and my future may be uncertain, but I am truly happy because of the freedom that this life has given me. I hope this motivates some of you to do the same thing. I know it cliche, but almost anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Stay gold,

Chris Perkins