Robin’s school had this crazy rule that you had to ask permission and be granted it from on high if you wanted to take more vacation time than their arbitrary schedule allowed. Otherwise the unexcused absence would lower their grade. So…they could be making straight A’s, but if they had an unexcused absence, it would instead be a B. What do you think a kid is going to remember – the week they spent in a classroom because they weren’t “allowed” as a family to plan a trip, or the week spent on the trip? Rhetorical!

You’ve been to some marvelous places, and it’s so great that you’re showing your son the world as well. The world is all we have to see! Thanks.

I have been interested in travel for as long as I can remember. As a kid we lived in various cities in both Australia and New Zealand, so were quite nomadic, while not traveling far. But the adventurous spirit was well and truly encouraged through changing towns, schools; going to music festivals, on camping trips; living on hippie communes, going to demonstrations. That combined with my family sponsoring a children from the Philippines meant I was always intrigued by what else there was out there. I wanted to see the world, and I still do. I have traveled extensively across Europe, Central America, Australasia and some of Asia and I can never wait to get back on another plane and go somewhere else. Traveling is in my blood, and I can’t wait for all the adventures I plan on having with my son. I think it’s great you went to Europe with your daughter – what a wonderful experience for you both. So far, Bunny is 5 and has been to London, Paris and traveled through Spain, so I think he’s off to a good start. This year we’re going to Western Australia. New for me – I can’t wait.

Kelly@SHE-POWER

Hi Mary – I was hoping you’d weigh in, as our recent conversation about your exchange sister inspired this additional conversation and the post – and thoughts of a series to follow it up, too! What a fascinating and somewhat unusual location – Turkey must have seemed very exotic! And I’ve read so much about the Bosporus and the Dardanelles. Funny how we’re drawn to water.

Sadly, I have not kept in touch with my Norwegian exchange family, but it was wonderful to be welcomed in Germany by my brother’s. The experience also introduced me to the value of being based in one location for a more extended period, getting to know a place beyond scratching the surface. Thanks.

That’s what I love about traveling… because things that I would normally “take for granted” suddenly come into sharp focus when I’m traveling. Whether it’s the reliability of my internet connection to the comfort of my own bed – traveling helps me to appreciate the comforts of home.

I love reading about your travels. Pete’s images are the next best thing to being there. Heck, they’re BETTER than being there because most of the time I wouldn’t risk life and limb to get the shots he does!!!

Kathy | Virtual Impax´s last blog post..Removing the Cat Turds from the Social Media Sandbox

Hi Jannie – Oooooh you made me think of the time when my parents pinned my name and address to my coat and put me on the Greyhound bus to visit relatives in another state – I was no more than six, I think. Nowadays you wouldn’t dream of doing that, although my kids did fly on their own to visit their dad when he lived out of state when they were quite young. Like you my dream trip is lengthy: the Orient Express. I guess it’s not as swell as it used to be back in the day. We sure enjoyed the trains in Europe, though. Thank you.

I caught the travel bug whenI was 6, my paternal grand-ma let me accompany her on a 7-hour trip to Nova Scotia by train. I knew I was a born traveller.

My trip of a lifetime would be a 4-month World Cruise. But I’d have to have a huge suite on the ship with a quiet room where I could work on music and such for a few hours a day! And I’d need highspeed internet too.

Jannie Funster´s last blog post..Potential Regalements