Travelling Realities

There are realities that you speak about as you plan a long trip.  You are aware of them cognitively, but they hit a different level of reality when you experience them.

Reality #1 - traveling with a teen
You know that there are times that you will want to take breaks from each other.  You know that it might have actually been easier with two kids instead of one, even if it costs more.
You know, and then "You Know".
For one, you don't have the same conversations with your spouse when you have a 16 year old listening in.  Two, what can I say.... Sharing a room with your teen for three months straight.... Need I say more? And surprisingly, you  are not guaranteed deep conversation just because you are together 24/7. Okay, maybe I'm not that surprised.

Reality #2 - traveling with parents (Anna's perspective)
I had a few people say to me before I left, "Wow, travelling with just your parents! How do you think that will be?" I would usually respond (somewhat jokingly) saying something along the lines of, "Oh, well you know, they are paying!" While that is a major perk, it's also amazing travelling with two of the people who I can trust the most in my life, two of the people who love me and who I love the most, and two of the people who always want what is best for me. They have pushed me to do things I don't want to do, allowed me to do things that I really wanted to do and they haven't wanted to do so much, and have given me the opportunity of seeing more of the world.
So even though we argue, and even though I have barely spoken to anybody under the age of 30 for the past two months, or have had my own space (I'm a 16 year old girl! I just want my own bed without waking up to my mom staring at me!), I know that I am incredibly blessed with having two amazing parents who are able to give me the opportunity to fulfill my dream of travel.

Reality #3 - travel versus holiday
You know that travel is intense living.  You are in new cultures, with new people, new rules, different climate etc.
And then you know.....
A holiday for me is a destination. You anticipate and create a moment in time to relax and unwind. You create the experience you need for where you are at in life.
Travel is a lot different.  It's open ended. That's supposed to be freeing... and on one level it is.  But every time you move and think of where your next stop is, you have to plan all over again.  Where to stay, what you want to experience there, what the travel books suggest, what to look out for, what you shouldn't miss.  Each transition involves a new plan. At the beginning of the three months you don't know what you want or need 6 weeks down the road and so it is ever evolving.  Thank goodness I travel with a planner.  I try to help and share the load, but Brad carries the majority of it and I am so thankful.

Reality #4 - just the three of us
You  are excited  about the time together and the memories you will make.  You know that you will have to stay open and honest in your communications because living in such close quarters and doing most everything together might mean you annoy each other from time to time.
You know  and then "You Know".....
Need I say more?

Reality #5 - travel bringing deep insight
You read how travel changes you, you think of what you might see, you wonder what you might learn about yourself, the people you are with and the world around you.
You hope, you wake and walk with eyes  and heart open wide and you wait.....
You know you can't package or manufacture an experience or life lesson.  You know you can't decide
if change will be big or small.
And then there is the knowing that comes from the fact that things aren't looking like you thought it would and you have to decide if you are okay with that.  You are challenged to let go and let things happen on a deeper level and come out when and how it will..... all in its own good time.

Reality #6 - living/being in the present
It's what we crave. We know it's important and has great value. What does that really mean?
With the reality and necessity for planning  and a personality that likes to reflect which enhances my experiences, well,  all I can say is that being in the present is a challenge.  I wonder if this is a life skill, or just better suited to some personalities more than others?
Maybe "being in the moment" only happens in moments or should it be a constant state of being?
All I know, it's easier said than done!  I know Brad agrees with me.  Anna... ?.... I think it's easier for her to be, because we are doing all the planning which makes it easier for her "to be".
So for the "be-er's, be thankful for the do-er's" and know we are all learning "to be".......
Oh my, I don't think I've learned much, cuz just thinking about it all has made me dizzy.

Reality #7 - someone has to take charge
Everyone can't be in charge and responsible for the passports  and booking flights and navigating. That would just get confusing.  You anticipate and know that a certain personality will probably be the more responsible one, the leader, the navigator, the one who has everyone else's back.  You try to share that load, but it's hard to go against the natural division of roles.
Reality is, that role gets tiresome, overwhelming and sometimes downright frustrating  as you try to make sure things go smoothly, scams are kept to a minimal and enough bathroom stops are made.  Reality is, Brad is an outstanding navigator and tour guide Extrodinaire.  We try to help because we know that he gets tired of it, but the reality is..... We aren't near as good..... Thank you Brad!

Reality #8 - I wouldn't change a thing!
Because it is what it is, and it is exactly what it is supposed be!
Brad might change things, but this isn't his blog, you'd have to ask him.

So here's to travelling with a teenager who has the gift of crashing any time!

Her reality this day was that we probably made her get up way to early for all the great things that we planned to do...... and so an afternoon nap was in order.