Essay 53.1

Essay 53.1

A FAMILY THAT TRAVELS TOGETHER, SCATTERS

As soon as the kids were judged capable of taking care of themselves, but could still pretty much do as they were told, they began their ventures to foreign countries. The “minimum” age for such learning was guessed to be about 14, though there was some variation from teen to teen. Fortunately or not, they seemed to attain such an age very quickly, and soon became a group clamoring for more. Whenever possible, grandchildren were added if they qualified.

We had a habit of inviting other family members and friends to accompany us when possible, and some of the results have been 18 of us in Kenya, 14 in England and Scotland, 14 in France, 22 in Peru, 18 in China, 11 in Egypt and 16 in Antarctica. For a number of trips there may have been only four or five of us; there were four of us in South Africa one time, and five of us were on another trip to China.

I have always believed that the monies invested in these trips were well spent, for the returns keep arriving decade after decade. Appreciations for our country grow immeasurably after a number of other countries are experienced. We also relive many of our experiences when we are together, and the howls of laughter when memories are shared make a day incredibly bright.
Even before we started traveling as a family to foreign lands we had a habit of taking the family flag with us. Ultimately there were seven stars on the flag, and thirteen stripes representing the grandchildren. The flag will show great-grandchildren when they join the tribe for future travels to foreign countries.

There follows a potpourri of pictures illustrating family behavior in various places.

The Step Pyramid, Egypt

The Summit of Huayna Picchu, Peru

With the Terracotta Warriors in Xian, China

Near the Antarctica Peninsula

At the Tower of London

Balloon trip over the Masai Mara, Kenya

At the Door of the Cathedral, Lima, Peru Tierra del Fuego, Argentina

The Karnak Temple, Egypt

Our Feluccas for Sailing Down the Nile

On the Nile with Felucca Crew

On the Antarctica Pennisula

In Colca Canyon, Peru

On one of the Floating Islands, Lake Titicacca, Peru

Each of these excursions was planned for about a year. The priorities were several;
1. It is imperative that the most be obtained for the least money
2. A “back up” plan is designed to enable surprises to be handled more easily.
3. Each person is responsible for his own stuff, and his own actions4. Scattering is OK if information and directions are left behind.