I haven’t shared much with you about our exact routing when we leave in July for our round the world family adventure. There are a few reasons for that.
One is we’re still nailing down the details. Every time I meet someone who has been somewhere that “we just can’t miss” we seriously take it into consideration. The result is an itinerary that could take us years to get through. We’re whittling every day and hoping to be able to share more with you in the weeks ahead .
But there’s another reason.
There are places I really want to visit. Places that I know to be fabulous, incredible places where life is so different from what we have here at home that I know the kids, Ish and I won’t be able to help but be affected emotionally.
Places where if I was traveling alone or just with Ish I might not hesitate to visit even though stable government isn’t a given.
But somehow it’s different because were taking the kids. Travel to these places seems to suddenly require second thoughts.
There is no itinerary that Ish and I have put together that didn’t have Egypt on it. I’ve hoped to take the kids to see the pyramids, cruise the Nile, learn from the people. The land is beautiful, the treasures are rich and the opportunity to learn and grow vast.
But even as I stood transfixed to the television screen, tears in my eyes as their President crushed their hearts with his bare hands, and then with tears flowing and pride so strong I thought my own heart would burst as he was finally removed, I wondered…
Will we go?
Should we go?
Would you?
I wouldn’t take Egypt off of this list yet. When I was living in Bangkok last spring during all of the political unrest, I learned that in the media it can seem that all hell is breaking loose, but outside of the cameras and headlines, life can still be going in a fairly normal manner.
A visit to Egypt is also under consideration for my family this year :) I’d like to find out a lot more before we decide!
True! I’ve been in that situation too – where media reports paint a far more dangerous picture. Also agree that we’ll need more info before committing either way. Thanks for the comment.
Dear Heather,
You are about to embark on a great journey. I indeed believe that once you are traveling in all these fabulous and adventurous countries around the world, you will surely see things differently. Very differently compared to being at home. You might be less worried. When you travel your opinions, your thoughts, your mind changes. Fear you feel at home, dissapears once you start to travel.
We actually planned a trip to Egypt in May, but in the end we decided for another destination. Lucky? I don’t know. I guess we would still be going in May. I would not go there now with my kids. Guess waiting another month would give a bit more confidence.
I will follow you on your great travels. Maybe you can get some inspiration from my family travel stories!
Hi Emiel, Thanks for the comment. Always looking for more inspiration. :)
I hear your point re: whether you were lucky or not in not heading to Egypt in May. There’s a part of me that would’ve loved to be in the heart of that uprising as it was happening…but with my kids? Not so sure. As it was, my heart was fearing for the children who were in the square.
I do believe that the year away will put us in situations that further open our eyes to what life is “really like” in other places. That is, after all, the point of this trip. But it is interesting to reflect on my emotions at times like this, when the possibility is a little less abstract. I’m grateful for having this place to do it and people like you to help me work it through.
Thanks Heather! Let’s work through our traveling journey together..
Looking forward to it!
I think it so cool that your 2 kids get to miss school for a hole year and thats cool that u and ish and the kids get to go all aroud the worid!!!!!!!!!!
You spelled world wrong. COOOOOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLEEEEEE
I find it is very cool how you Ish and you two kids are going on an epic(cool, awesome) trip around the world. One quistion have you bin on the great wall of china,cause I am chinese and I have bin on
the great wall of china one time and its realy cool, and I hope you like it.
I think its so cool that you get to cruise the nniille, but I heard that there is lots of crocodiles in the nile ,but its probaly just a legend.
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