September 29, 2014
I leave tomorrow for Calgary where I will be for two days to help Nick pack and to buy the last few things we need for our trip before leaving for London Thursday night. I have repacked about three times. I keep changing my mind on what I should bring. The urge of course is always to bring WAY TO MUCH! I have to remind myself that on the road - NOONE knows me, and NONE will know if I wear the same clothes three days in a row! That reminds me of my 4 month trip in 2007 with Joel...Joel would wear his underwear for one day, then put it on backwards and wear it for one more day. Then he would turn it inside out and repeat the process! It’s brilliant – really!
I have mixed feelings about this trip. I am excited for Nick to see the world and experience things new to him. New cultures, new realities. I look forward to observing his reactions to the different cultures, food, and geographical features we will see - especially in the Philippines. ANd I look forward to the inevitable bonding that happens on these trips. On the other hand, I am a bit nervous about dealing with my various health issues on the road. I have visions of being arrested for drug trafficing given the sheer volume of drugs I have to take with me. They take up more room in my suitcase than my clothes! Also, as I get older I find my capacity for these long flights is a bit diminished. For that reason, we are breaking up our long trip to the Philippines with short stays in Europe and Dubai. The hope is to allow myself to adjust to the time changes a little more slowly (I need my sleep), and to have a few days of exercise and move around in between long overnight flights.
I also know from experience, that after about 3 weeks, it gets difficult to be apart from my husband.I rely so much on his loving support that being without it is always hard. But, stretching myself is one of the reasons I travel, and being apart gives me a chance to appreciate what I have at home. I love the homecomings!!
Speaking of home, fall is here in the Okanagan. It is beautiful. The air is fresh but the days are still so warm. By leaving now I will be missing my usual garden wind down of removing old plants, preparing my garden beds for next spring, saving seeds, etc. I have tried to get as much done as possible, and have left a small list for Stephane to do while I am gone. I just watched a large gaggle of geese fly overhead…heading off on their long journey south. I wonder if when they return from being away a long time they feel the same sense of relief to be back as I do?
Monday, September 29, 2014
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Planning to not plan
September 25, 2014
It is always a struggle for me - as a type A personality - to avoid the urge to plan every minute of every day in every country before I leave. I manage that urge by booking my accommodations for the first night or two in each place. Then I research all the "must see" lists, and print off google maps and directions on how to get there. I research how much a taxi should cost, what the local scams are, and where the good, cheap places are to eat.
Today I was working on our days in Dubai. Since we are only there a short while, I have pre-booked a foodie tour through the old part of Dubai called Deira. I always try to book accommodations in the old part of town, as that is usually where I find the best markets - a favorite thing of mine to see. Food is such a big part of culture - it is part of communication, a way people around the world share themselves. Eating is a ritual that varies from place to place.
I remember the short plastic stool on which Nathan and I sat on our travels through Vietnam. Supper made and eaten on the sidewalk! I remember the amazing food stalls of China town - as Stephane and I ate our way through Bangkok. Eating in Africa with Joel was a lesson in graciousness - as people shared their few morsels with us.
I look forward to experiencing the food on this trip - and I have chosen to make it a central theme of wherever we go. I have booked us on eating tours and into cooking classes. I can't wait to try fish and chips in London and wash it down with a pint and to experience pizza in Naples at the very restaurant where it was invented. In Dubai I I look forward to crispy sesame-studded and stuffed falafels hot out of the fryer and of course baklava! I am not sure what to expect in the Philippines where we will spend most of our time. I have read about the food there, and am already missing my morning coffee...like in India, Nescafe is all I am likely to find - especially in the hill country where we will be mingling with tribes that still live as they did thousands of years ago.
On my way home - after dropping Nikki off in Tanzania for some medical volunteering in the town of Iringa - I plan on eating my way through Paris...bon apetit to me!
I will write again soon...I fly into Calgary next Tuesday to help Nicholas pack (always a challenge), and then we head off at 6pm October 2...coming along?
It is always a struggle for me - as a type A personality - to avoid the urge to plan every minute of every day in every country before I leave. I manage that urge by booking my accommodations for the first night or two in each place. Then I research all the "must see" lists, and print off google maps and directions on how to get there. I research how much a taxi should cost, what the local scams are, and where the good, cheap places are to eat.
Today I was working on our days in Dubai. Since we are only there a short while, I have pre-booked a foodie tour through the old part of Dubai called Deira. I always try to book accommodations in the old part of town, as that is usually where I find the best markets - a favorite thing of mine to see. Food is such a big part of culture - it is part of communication, a way people around the world share themselves. Eating is a ritual that varies from place to place.
I remember the short plastic stool on which Nathan and I sat on our travels through Vietnam. Supper made and eaten on the sidewalk! I remember the amazing food stalls of China town - as Stephane and I ate our way through Bangkok. Eating in Africa with Joel was a lesson in graciousness - as people shared their few morsels with us.
I look forward to experiencing the food on this trip - and I have chosen to make it a central theme of wherever we go. I have booked us on eating tours and into cooking classes. I can't wait to try fish and chips in London and wash it down with a pint and to experience pizza in Naples at the very restaurant where it was invented. In Dubai I I look forward to crispy sesame-studded and stuffed falafels hot out of the fryer and of course baklava! I am not sure what to expect in the Philippines where we will spend most of our time. I have read about the food there, and am already missing my morning coffee...like in India, Nescafe is all I am likely to find - especially in the hill country where we will be mingling with tribes that still live as they did thousands of years ago.
On my way home - after dropping Nikki off in Tanzania for some medical volunteering in the town of Iringa - I plan on eating my way through Paris...bon apetit to me!
I will write again soon...I fly into Calgary next Tuesday to help Nicholas pack (always a challenge), and then we head off at 6pm October 2...coming along?
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Getting ready to go
September 21, 2014
It is the last day of summer, and I have just finished planning my third trip around the world (with son #3.)My first trip in 2007 chronicled at(http://corrieandjoelstrip.blogspot.ca/)was four months long, and we visited 19 countries. Big mistake. I was exhausted by day 10. I learned some lessons on that trip: 1)visit fewer countries, 2)visit each country for a longer time. My second trip in 2010 (http://corrieandnatestrip.blogspot.ca/)was only 7 weeks, and we went to 4 countries.
This time around Nicholas and I will visit 5 countries over 6 weeks, but will spend 3 of those in one country - the Philippines....during hurricane season. Many of you know I am a storm chaser, and spent a few weeks last spring chasing tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas, so this should be no surprise. Actually, that is not why we are going in October. We are going now because Nicholas is in between school programs. He has decided to switch from Business to becoming a paramedic, and there is a gap between the end of his first and second course. BUT, if we happen to be in the area of a hurricane, that would be OK with me. As you probably know, the Philippines was devastated by a hurricane last year. I would not, of course, wish that on them again.
It is my intent to blog about what we see and do as we work our way through Europe and the UAE on our way there, but more importantly, I hope to chronicle about what we learn. That is, after all, the point of these journeys. Joel and I turned our trip blog into a book, and in its epilogue I talk about travel as education:
Not to mention that sharing a room, and sometimes a bed, with your adult sons can be quite educational!
Nicholas and I invite you to join us on our journey. We leave October 2, 2014...that is if Nicholas gets his passport in time (long story). We encourage you to follow the blog, post comments, and ask questions. Your presence in this small way keeps us from getting homesick, and reminds us how much we love and are loved - always a good thing!
I will do my best to post photos, and update the blog regularly - so tune in often.
It is the last day of summer, and I have just finished planning my third trip around the world (with son #3.)My first trip in 2007 chronicled at(http://corrieandjoelstrip.blogspot.ca/)was four months long, and we visited 19 countries. Big mistake. I was exhausted by day 10. I learned some lessons on that trip: 1)visit fewer countries, 2)visit each country for a longer time. My second trip in 2010 (http://corrieandnatestrip.blogspot.ca/)was only 7 weeks, and we went to 4 countries.
This time around Nicholas and I will visit 5 countries over 6 weeks, but will spend 3 of those in one country - the Philippines....during hurricane season. Many of you know I am a storm chaser, and spent a few weeks last spring chasing tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas, so this should be no surprise. Actually, that is not why we are going in October. We are going now because Nicholas is in between school programs. He has decided to switch from Business to becoming a paramedic, and there is a gap between the end of his first and second course. BUT, if we happen to be in the area of a hurricane, that would be OK with me. As you probably know, the Philippines was devastated by a hurricane last year. I would not, of course, wish that on them again.
It is my intent to blog about what we see and do as we work our way through Europe and the UAE on our way there, but more importantly, I hope to chronicle about what we learn. That is, after all, the point of these journeys. Joel and I turned our trip blog into a book, and in its epilogue I talk about travel as education:
Each experience Joel and I had on our journey was educational. Each person we met, each culture we were immersed in taught us something. Education is not about getting a job. Education is about knowing yourself and your world.And what better way to do that than to travel the world?
Not to mention that sharing a room, and sometimes a bed, with your adult sons can be quite educational!
Nicholas and I invite you to join us on our journey. We leave October 2, 2014...that is if Nicholas gets his passport in time (long story). We encourage you to follow the blog, post comments, and ask questions. Your presence in this small way keeps us from getting homesick, and reminds us how much we love and are loved - always a good thing!
I will do my best to post photos, and update the blog regularly - so tune in often.
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