Midterm Musings
Disclaimer: As those who I have worked with know, I’m more of an ‘editor’ than a writer. As we start the second half of our trip, it was time for me to contribute more than just photos to the blog and shed some light on life on the road outside of destination highlights. I hope you enjoy!
Janice
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The last time I set out on an extended period of travel was in 2010 when Charles and I backpacked through Southeast Asia for three months. This was pre-cellphones, when Expedia had minimal listings. Usually our first priority of business when landing in a new destination, besides finding the local beach bar, was locating the nearest internet cafe to provide proof of life to those back home. If you were really lucky, you might even sneak in a quick Skype call and upload photos from your digital camera before your minutes ran out on the internet.
As we got ready to embark on this six-and-a-half-month adventure, my biggest concern was the length of time we were traveling. At twice the length of our last big trip, had we bit off more than we could chew? Fourteen years ago we were young, childless, carefree, and had a lot less back pain. The girls are seasoned travelers but again in shorter stints of two to three weeks, would the novelty of flying and unpacking wear thin one month in?
The surprising answer, perhaps to only me as friends reach out routinely to confirm we are coming back, is it might not have been long enough. As we made our way back from our island-hopping tour with the kids sound asleep from the vibration of the Thai longtail boat motor, Charles and I played the game of if we had six more months where would we go and is there anything we would change.
I’ll save that conversation for the big reveal of “The A Fam World Tour Part II”, kidding… at least for the moment, and instead reflect on my three biggest learnings from our adventures thus far.
1) Technology isn’t always a bad thing.
Charles and I are the first to admit that we are not on the cutting edge of technology. We don’t have an Alexa or Google Home, use less than 10% of the functionality on our cellphones, and are often calling on the kids to help troubleshoot when something with a battery breaks.
Given our ‘simpler’ lifestyle, it was surprising how quick a convert I have become, but the upside just can't be beaten. I know even with our minimal adoption we have barely scratched the surface and still prefer to do some things old-school. Yes, we used a 15-tab linked Excel spreadsheet instead of the Roadtrippers app to plan this adventure, but the ones that we have tested out have been worth dipping our toes into the future for.
From our Airlo E-sim which allows us to stay connected on our phones regardless of the country to our Wise cards where we transfer money at dinner and withdraw from the bank machine after dessert with ridiculously low fees, so much of the grunt work has been taken out of travel. We scan the WhatsApp QR codes from our Grab drivers so we can connect with them for off the book rates and find recommendations and discount codes in the Koh Lanta for Kids Facebook group. The Lonely Planet book is no longer a heavy resource to lug between locations, being replaced by Google reviews and maps. Of course, like all technology, there is a learning curve, and you still need to use your common sense along the way. The girls have taken to reading five-star reviews with a skeptical eye after a one-night motel stay that Kasia couldn’t believe I would book. Once she she saw the photos online it brought a whole new level of understanding that not everything on the internet is real.
I’d like to say we’ve used all this extra time and brain power saved by using technology for something profound, but I have to admit it’s probably gone towards solving sisterly disputes and finishing my daily crossword before lunch. Regardless, I must say I’m loving all the help from my new online friends, apps, and AI innovations.
2) Life continues regardless of where you call home.
This trip has been a welcome break from our usual routines back in Toronto, but regardless of where you lay your head at night, obligations continue with slight modifications of course.
We’ve managed to lose at least one tooth in every country we have been to so far, sometimes multiple, as our grand total now sits at 8. This has led to some strategic bargaining and creative license depending on the country we were in. We had to get a ‘loan’ with interest from Kasia who had some of her pocket money she was happy to part with after receiving a 10% cash back bonus. I’m not sure if I should be worried or proud, but I admire her ability to bargain knowing our options were limited as we were caught empty-handed tapping our way throughout Australia and not taking out any cash.
Even though the girls might not be currently in the classroom, we’ve committed to ensuring they stay caught up with concepts in Math, French, and of course, lots of reading and writing. While school is often done from a coffee shop with fancy drinks as incentives or poolside with the reward of a quick dip after one more page of Jump Math, we are making it work. Don’t be fooled, we still have the same struggles we have at home focusing with the added complexity of having your parents as teachers, ‘Mom when is the last time you used long division?!’ Touché Kas, Touché. When we hit the wall with our workbooks, we move into real-world application, sending Ayana off to the market stalls with 20 Thai Baht and have her negotiate how many waters she can buy and how much change she should receive. A fun exercise for all involved as the local vendors get a kick out of her hand signals and big smiles.
So although there are still bills to be paid, workouts to be done, and laundry to wash, I’m enjoying the slight adjustments to our routine as planks are easier on the beach and at $1.25/kilogram laundry is best outsourced down the road.
3) This trip was as much for me as for the kids.
I came across an Instagram post the other day that said; Them: They won't remember this Me: But I will, their childhood is also my motherhood. I only get one go at this.
As we started talking about this trip with friends and family, the common theme was often how great an experience this is for the kids and how they are at a great age to soak it all in and remember it for a lifetime. While those things are all true, I’m realizing this trip was selfishly more for me than them.
I’ve taken this opportunity to really try and slow down and relax, as much as an A-type Virgo can relax, and enjoy the everyday moments along the way. COVID gave us lots more family time but it was also coupled with the added stresses of homeschool, remote work, grocery delivery, and keeping everyone safe and healthy. This trip has been all the family time without those extra pressures and I’m enjoying the simplicity that comes along with it.
We have days where we hike waterfalls and snorkel the Great Barrier Reef and as much as those are bucket list memories being made, my favourite moments have been in the transitions and in-betweens. I’ve discovered my kids are actually pretty funny, with their witty jabs as I download my latest beach read or order my predictable watermelon anything that is on the menu. They have become master negotiators bargaining for the opportunity to buy some local treat at the grocery store or roadside stand and making compelling arguments as to why they should only do two pages of homework not three so they can enjoy the last of their days in X country.
As I hope to have many more world travels in my future, I know one like this as a family is a gift. They are growing up so fast, with their long legs, confidence and views on how the world operates. So I’ll continue to cherish when they grab my hand as we navigate the streets of Manila and demand we take the family selfie on the beach for as long as I can. This is my trip too and if it means mortifying them by singing and dancing to the street performers with the Thai Grandpa then so be it, sooner or later I know they'll join in.
