Making Friends in Ireland...Through a Portal?!

What is the strangest way you've made a friend? If you would have asked me last. month, I would have said meeting my best friends through Facebook Marketplace was pretty weird—but that was before I learned about the portal. No, it's not sci-fi, it's a real life art installation that streams real-time, unfiltered video 24/7 and rotates between different global locations, allowing people all over the world to connect. This gave me an idea—what if I could make a friend through the portal, and then go visit them in real life? I connected with someone in Ireland through a digital portal in Philadelphia, then flew across the Atlantic to explore the Ireland through their eyes. And while the landscapes and castles were everything, the heart of the trip was the people. Spoiler: travel is actually so much better when it’s rooted in connecting with others.

Step one: Make a friend through the portal (harder than it looks)

I’ll be honest—the whole “make a friend through a portal” thing didn’t start off as magically as I imagined. I spent hours reaching out, hoping someone would say yes to chatting. Most people seemed to like the idea, but didn’t actually want to hang out... And who can blame them? A weird man from across the world holding up a sign saying, “wanna hang” is the final boss of “Stranger Danger." But instead of giving up, I decided to just have fun with it. I joined a dance battle, played rock-paper-scissors, and started showing up as my weird, goofy self. That’s when I met Jack and Isabelle, two locals from Ireland who were down to meet up and give me a peek into their world. Their goal? Show me what it’s really like to experience Ireland like a local.

Why Ireland? Because the locals are the main attraction.

There’s a reason Ireland is known as one of the friendliest countries in the world. Between the rolling green hills, cozy pubs, and vibrant cities, there’s this buzz of warmth and openness that just hits different. You don’t just visit Ireland—you feel like you belong there. From the second I connected with Jack and Isobel, I felt that energy. They were excited to share their culture and show me their favorite spots—not because they had to, but because they wanted to. That’s the kind of kindness you can’t script. The local life: Guinness, craic, and real convos With my new Irish crew leading the way, I got to see a side of Dublin I most likely would have missed. Think: tiny pubs hidden in the back streets, where strangers strike up convos like you’ve known each other for years, cobblestone streets echoing with live music, and locals who are always down for a good story (or a strong opinion about Guinness). Speaking of which—Jack insisted I try one (or three). “You better try to drink some Guinness,” he said. Challenge accepted. (Verdict: it tastes better in Ireland. Don’t ask why, it just does.) We swapped stories, laughed, and created the kind of memories you don’t get from a travel brochure. That’s the magic of connecting with locals when you travel.

Irish culture = the best craic

Irish culture isn’t just about folklore and fiddles—it’s about storytelling, spontaneous moments, and genuine human connection. Whether it was an impromptu game of rock-paper-scissors or sharing a pint with strangers-turned-friends, everything felt... real. Jack and Isobel didn’t just show me around, they made me feel like I was part of their group, even if it was only for a little while. Why travel will always be the best way to connect This trip reminded me that travel is more than just collecting stamps in your passport. It’s about saying “yes” to unexpected situations. It’s about realizing that no matter where we’re from, we all crave connection, belonging, and a little bit of adventure. So yeah, meeting someone through a portal sounded wild. But flying across the ocean to meet them IRL? That’s the kind of story I’ll be telling forever.

TL;DR just say yes and book the trip

Making friends through a portal and then visiting them IRL was easily one of the most meaningful things I’ve done. It wasn’t just about Ireland's stunning scenery (though, hello Cliffs of Moher 🫶). It was about Jack, Isobel, and the reminder that the best part of any trip is always the people. So next time you're on the fence about traveling... take the leap. Say yes. You never know what kind of magic is waiting for you on the other side of the portal. And to my new friends Jack and Isobel, thank you for showing me around! Guinness is on me the next time you visit the USA!