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What is it about our generation and our kids? Oh and by the way, I am an archetypical example
of what I’m talking about so don’t think this is a rant, no far from it. Recently I hatched a plan around the kids
eighteenth birthdays/graduation present, but using this as a backdrop - oh how the pendulum has swung since I turned 18.
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“Hanoi Posting”
This week's photos are all from last year's trip to Italy...this week has been hard as I've had Lake Como and San Giovanni on my mind. Feeling strangely like I need a fix of this beautiful part of the world.
Enjoy!
TW
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I explained to them that my present to them each was a three week trip to a destination of their choice…the downside is that they have to go with
me! Not surprisingly Zach was “all over
it like a dirty shirt” and had a handful of great ideas and options right out
of the gate. In fact over breakfast this
past weekend he shared with me that he wants to go backpacking in Europe and
reeled off a host of fantastic things to see and do almost immediately. Of course, no backpacking trip is complete
until you buy a train pass and have to coordinate schedules to get between
cities.
Clearly another endearing thing about backpacking around
Europe is staying in all types of accommodation including hostels! This trip isn’t about doing it in style, but
learning to live on the road with the bare minimum, while at the same time
building confidence in your survival skills particularly within other cultures especially
where English is not the first language spoken.
And seriously that’s just the tip of the iceberg!
True, he’ll have me with him but the majority of the
planning and execution will be on him to manage, I'll just along for the trip with my camera.
His “must see” list begins in Berlin, then onto Prague, Bratislava,
Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg and finally Munich.
Clearly the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree with respect to his thirst for adventure, and so exploring some of Europe’s most historic and interesting cities is a top priority for him. Zach will have graduated high school by then
and be looking to make the move to University so a perfect time to explore the
world and get a taste of bigger world.
Zach has a deep love of world cultures, history and politics,
so this trip has him really excited about spending time in each of these
amazing cities, and I’m sure that he’ll be researching each with a keen eye to
uncover some of the lesser know places and important historical sites in each
city. Fortunately Zach is a mature and
independent soul, so I’m sure he’ll want to spend a good amount of time exploring by himself…
I must say he’s going to be blown away by what he's going to discover on our adventure. The innate beauty along with the deep
historical roots make for a unique trip, especially as Zach is the consummate
history buff.
As you know I've always been a bog proponent of expose my kids to the larger world and do it as often as we can. There are so many great things that take root from these experiences in the form of independence, confidence and a general curiosity of the world.
As you know I've always been a bog proponent of expose my kids to the larger world and do it as often as we can. There are so many great things that take root from these experiences in the form of independence, confidence and a general curiosity of the world.
Indelible Tip #1: A voice.
For the most part I always give Zach and Sami a say in where we go and
what we do when we travel together. I’ve
found that one of the best things about traveling with them is when they are a
big part of the decision making process they own the outcome and I don’t have
to entertain them or make them happy... Nope, the only people they can complain to is
themselves, and perhaps learn a thing or two about themselves along the way. Trust me it gets easier as they’ve gotten
older, but to be fair I started them off when they were 12 and 10 and so now
they are quite experienced travelers.
Indelible Tip
#2: Mixed
bag I’ve also found that introducing them to travel early has been
an eye opening experience in that they have had to learn to adapt to all sorts
of cultures and environments. Although I
love luxury travel as much as the next person I also like road trips, and
staying off the beaten track so varying the types of accommodation and
activities is an enlightening experience.
A great example is when we were on our road trip to Florida
via the Freedom Rights Trail last Christmas and we stopped in Birmingham,
Alabama to go see the Civil Rights Institute.
There were only a few people at the museum and afterwards I walked
across the road to take a photo of the 16th Street Baptist Church
that was bombed in 1963 at the height of the Civil Rights movement. As I did a
man approached and asked what I was doing, I explained that we were visiting
the city and that this is an important part of recent history that my kids
should know about.
For the next 15 minutes he proceeded to talk about growing
up in the neighborhood during that era - a serendipitous conversation that brought a human face to the drama that unfolded here.
He then took us and showed us some amazing little tidbits on the Church building
that are not easily noticeable unless you have someone who can show you. It was a fascinating moment in our trip and
visibly reinforced the fact that you need to be open to experiences and learn
to trust your instincts when you travel.
Indelible Tip
#3: Learning
the Art As you can tell I’m also a big proponent of teaching my kids
the art of traveling so that they can explore and appreciate the amazing world
that we live in on their terms. Even something as simple as teaching them the first
rule of traveling (i.e. placing everything you think you should take on your
bed, but then only take half) is such a simple, yet effective rule that applies
to everyone irrespective of age.
I always say, if it doesn’t make the pack list after
following the first rule of traveling and you desperately need it when you’re
away - buy another! Only rarely have I
had to buy something to make up for my shortfall. Plus the value add is that you don’t need a
big bag to lug around when a smaller, perhaps carryon will suffice. Just sayin!
Zach is already excited about buying his backpack and planning the trip,
even though it’s literally a year away. The
most exciting thing for me is feeling his excitement and enthusiasm for his
pending adventure… what a memorable gift to have for your eighteenth birthday.
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“Hanoi Posting”
A series of fictional micro-stories by Terence Wallis
Episode 48: Powerless
John felt completely powerless given the situation and brooded over what to do with the Hanoi situation. He looked at the clock on the adjacent wall in his office, it was almost six o'clock and although he'd gone through the motions all afternoon it wasn't until then that it struck him that Lea was leaving for Hanoi that night...
"Shit" he said out loud, and called her office but there was no answer. Next her called her flat...his heart began to sink as couldn't remember her flight details, in the past she would have given them to him but since the whole matter with Bill being posted to Hanoi a definite coolness had invaded their relationship.
He hesitated to call Glenda, but felt he had no choice. Dailing the number, it rang twice before her recognizable voice came on the line, "hello" she said formally. It's me, what time does Lea's plane leave for Bangkok he asked a little too hurriedly. There was a moments silence before Glenda responded, "seven o'clock no thanks to you" she said pointedly.
John had no patience after the eventful day and responded tersely "look somethings come up in Hanoi and she can't go". "A little too late don't you think?" John wasn't sure if Glenda knew that he'd gotten her working papers for Vietnam so didn't press the matter too hard before gruffly hanging up.
Next he called British Airways to see if he could catch Lea at the boarding gate, but the British Airways agent was apologetic, "I'm sorry sir but the flight has just pushed back from the gate".
As he hung up the phone his head was spinning, he was worried for the safety of Bill and Phuong and now Lea was on a plane bound for goodness knows what, could it get any worse he thought. Taking a deep breath, he reasoned the only thing for him to do now was get on the earliest flight to Hanoi and sort this out when he got there...
Next week: Episode 49: Accused
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This week's photos are all from last year's trip to Italy...this week has been hard as I've had Lake Como and San Giovanni on my mind. Feeling strangely like I need a fix of this beautiful part of the world.
Enjoy!
TW
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| The view of Bellagio from the quay at San Giovanni - just far enough away from the crowds of tourists |
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| Bellagio - the jewel of Lake Como! |
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| The Hotel Splendide in Bellagio |
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| A favorite place to write in Bellagio is to sit at the Bar Sanremo and watch the world go by... |
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| Droplet in a fountain |
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| Love the architecture, designs and colors |
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| So many palm trees around Lake Como as it has such a temperate climate all year round...the perfect place |
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| Contrast of colors and shapes - a really cool rusted gate |
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| An interesting approach to dining that totally works in Italy! |
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| Sunset over the lake - breathtaking! |
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| The car ferry Plinio arriving from down the lake in the late afternoon |
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| Night time from the ferry taking me back to San Giovanni |
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| One of the many ferries plying its trade back and forth across Lake Como between the small communities |
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| The church build up on the side of an impossibly steep cliff and mountain top overlooking the lake |
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| The beautiful town of Varenna |
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| The old quay at San Giovanni |
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