My grandfather (Opa) , explained to me that he was often asked by his friends what he thought about his daughters trip. My grandfather being the noble man he is, said he hadn't formed an opinion because the trip wasn't over yet, and also because he wanted to hear my families opinion first. That is why he asked my entire family to each write him a letter about what we liked and didn't like about the trip and wether we would suggest it to others or not.
This was my letter.
Dear Readers,
You were asked a question that I myself have been asked time and time again. What do you think of this trip? Your answer, (you don’t know because the trip isn’t over yet) was a good one. I myself answered the question that way when asked. But now that the trip has come to a close, it is time to reflect back on my experience and give a true answer to everyone's queries. Starting with a simple answer, yes this trip was crazy, yes it was hard, but most importantly, yes I enjoyed it. A big yes!
This trip wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. With a quick tempered family like us we were constantly bickering quarreling and complaining. But as mama says, if we survived a trip so long, we know we are strong as a family and that we can survive almost everything. Apart from that, red eye flights, long drives, and stomach bugs constantly hit our family like the plaque. The new cultures, timezones and foods always hit us in the face like a brick whenever we arrived in a new country. Not to mention the fact that Milo’s outburst worsened, as well as Yanai’s anxiety to sleep alone in a new bed every night, and we all had trouble dealing with it.
But on the other hand...
On this trip I discovered new interests, like genetics and stop motion. I learnt about all I kinds of diverse cultures firsthand. I met fellow travelers, expats and locals who I will not forget for a long time. I saw amazing geographical locations, from the witch hat mountains in China, to the extensive desert in Israel, to the beautiful Island of Santorini.
I opened myself to all kinds of different foods that normally I wouldn’t have dared touched from Okonomiyaki in Japan, to turtlenecks (a kind of pastry) in Prague. I discovered a sense of freedom that before I only had tastes of. Not to mention the fact that I realized that I actually don’t need as much “stuff” as I thought. I also bonded more with my brothers and parents, and last but not least discovered a deeper appreciation for home. I learnt so much and I know for a fact anyone else who takes a trip like this will as well. I wouldn’t trade this year for the world, and I don’t regret a thing. I think anyone will have an experience as good if not better than I had.
All in all, I personally I think everyone should take the big leap into this trip, step out of your comfort zones, shed your responsibilities, and gain knowledge and experiences in a way that is otherwise unachievable. It doesn’t matter if you are a homebody or a born traveler, An introvert or an extrovert, because I am strongly of the opinion that taking a trip like this is something anybody and everybody will be grateful of taking in the end.
I hope this answered your question…
Coming back hasn’t been too hard but a deep feeling has settled inside of me. As if something is missing. It might be the lack of travel and adventure. Or it might be the lack of good Japanese food. Whatever it is, I can’t wait to relieve myself of it and get back on the road. Perhaps a road trip….
Thank you for reading!
Liv the Explorer
This was my letter.
Dear Readers,
You were asked a question that I myself have been asked time and time again. What do you think of this trip? Your answer, (you don’t know because the trip isn’t over yet) was a good one. I myself answered the question that way when asked. But now that the trip has come to a close, it is time to reflect back on my experience and give a true answer to everyone's queries. Starting with a simple answer, yes this trip was crazy, yes it was hard, but most importantly, yes I enjoyed it. A big yes!
This trip wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. With a quick tempered family like us we were constantly bickering quarreling and complaining. But as mama says, if we survived a trip so long, we know we are strong as a family and that we can survive almost everything. Apart from that, red eye flights, long drives, and stomach bugs constantly hit our family like the plaque. The new cultures, timezones and foods always hit us in the face like a brick whenever we arrived in a new country. Not to mention the fact that Milo’s outburst worsened, as well as Yanai’s anxiety to sleep alone in a new bed every night, and we all had trouble dealing with it.
But on the other hand...
On this trip I discovered new interests, like genetics and stop motion. I learnt about all I kinds of diverse cultures firsthand. I met fellow travelers, expats and locals who I will not forget for a long time. I saw amazing geographical locations, from the witch hat mountains in China, to the extensive desert in Israel, to the beautiful Island of Santorini.
I opened myself to all kinds of different foods that normally I wouldn’t have dared touched from Okonomiyaki in Japan, to turtlenecks (a kind of pastry) in Prague. I discovered a sense of freedom that before I only had tastes of. Not to mention the fact that I realized that I actually don’t need as much “stuff” as I thought. I also bonded more with my brothers and parents, and last but not least discovered a deeper appreciation for home. I learnt so much and I know for a fact anyone else who takes a trip like this will as well. I wouldn’t trade this year for the world, and I don’t regret a thing. I think anyone will have an experience as good if not better than I had.
All in all, I personally I think everyone should take the big leap into this trip, step out of your comfort zones, shed your responsibilities, and gain knowledge and experiences in a way that is otherwise unachievable. It doesn’t matter if you are a homebody or a born traveler, An introvert or an extrovert, because I am strongly of the opinion that taking a trip like this is something anybody and everybody will be grateful of taking in the end.
I hope this answered your question…
Coming back hasn’t been too hard but a deep feeling has settled inside of me. As if something is missing. It might be the lack of travel and adventure. Or it might be the lack of good Japanese food. Whatever it is, I can’t wait to relieve myself of it and get back on the road. Perhaps a road trip….
Thank you for reading!
Liv the Explorer