April 5/12 – We are going back to Vancouver today. I can’t believe 7 months has gone by just like that!!
I am NOT travel’ed out yet but am looking forward to seeing Kel, Jo, Mom & Uncle Fred, my siblings, my nieces & nephews and uncles & aunties, plus some some friends. I do miss them and have thought of them often while we were on the road.
I don’t have our RV road trip or our South America trip dates confirmed, but I know I will be in Vancouver in the next 2-4 months before we take off again. So for those that want to catch up with me, please feel free to give me a call or email me to set up a date for coffee, lunch, dinner or wine in my karaoke room. My mission for the next few months in Vancouver is to spend more “quality time” with the family and friends. I do feel quality matters more than quantity therefore I’d rather spend more “alone” times with my dear ones instead of arranging big group gatherings like before. Now, I feel that the value of “time savings” (killing many birds with 1 stone) is not as valuable as really “being” with people, having deep conversations and getting more personal with them.
If I were to sum up 3 greatest things gained from our traveling experience over the last 7 months in 6 countries and 14 cities, then it will be:
1. “BONDING DOES REQUIRE TIME & EFFORT” – My bonding with Deon has been incredible, beyond my imagination, beyond words. I am so grateful we made the decision to travel together. We had our up days and down days. Sure, we had our share of argument and expressed differences but it was through these that we learned so much from each other and about each other, and actually became so much “closer” to each other. I think that Deon has taught me just as much as I have taught him. I am really looking forward to year 2 of travelling again together so that we can bond even more before he becomes a teenager. There are still other values I want to pass onto him and, at the same time, I still want to learn more about him and from him. I wish some day soon, I can have the opportunity to bond with Kel and Jo too, to learn from them the way I did from Deon. When this opportunity arises, meaning, when they are done with school, or at least, can take time out from school to travel together even for a short time, I will drop off whatever it is that I am doing and be with them. Nothing can stop me from doing this.
2. “VOLUNTEERING” – wasn’t just about teaching or helping out, but it was more of a learning experience for everyone, including me. I have no doubt that I learnt more than I taught and I am bringing away with me more than I have given. Teaching and travelling around China, Thailand & India over the last 7 months is something I will never forget.
3. “GENERALIZATION” – I totally see the effects when we generalize without reflecting first. It’s such an unfair thing to do when we put too much weight on our impressions because it’s just not possible to be generalizing people, places or cultures. The last 7 months of traveling has really opened my eyes to many new things and many new thoughts. I will never be the same Amy again because I have gained a whole new perspective about people and things that not only made me aware of why other countries and other people live, behave and react the way they do, but I came to appreciate my circumstances in much more depth and with a whole lot more gratitude.
Up until the time that we start traveling again, I won’t be posting as regularly as I have been doing. More to come when we start moving. We still have Ethopia, South Africa, South America, Taiwan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal and Semester at Sea on our “to go” list.
Thank you for those that have been following our updates regularly. Until next time, please take care of yourself and your loved ones!
Hugs,
Amy
Originally posted on Amy’s travel blog: TravelwithAmy.ca