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:

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.