Unabashed Wanderlust: September 2018

3 Continents.

6 Flights.

19,000 + Miles.

1 Three year old.

The reactions I got most when I told people about my trip where...

- You must be very brave

- You must be crazy

- He'll never remember it so why are you spending all of this money.

Despite all of this I made the decision to take my 3 year old (with severe food allergies) to Asia. Was it easy? No, not a chance. I mean, he's 3 and he's going to be 3 wherever he goes. I'm sure we had at least one melt down at every important Chinese landmarks!

At the top of the Temple of Heaven and not coming down!

Staging a protest at Tiananmen Square!

Not taking another picture on the Great Wall!

Having a moment in the minority village

Not quite sure about Goofy!

Not happy about an emergency evacuation "I forgot to take my jammies off and I have no shoes!"

Probably the most challenging part of traveling to China with a three year old is that in China he doesn't look three. We played with kids that looked his age that I was surprised to learn were six or seven years old. Every time he had a temper tantrum I wanted to yell "he's three - this is what three year olds do!"

So what possessed me to drag my three year old almost 20,000 miles? Well, I love what Pauline Frommer says

"My kids may not remember everywhere they've been, but they understand, in an elemental way, that their way of life is just one of many. Perhaps, as importantly, they've learned that for all of the differences there are from culture to culture, there are just as many commonalities. That in every culture parents love their children, hope for a better future, and work toward that future in whatever way they can. I think my kids' travels make them more compassionate, smarter human beings" https://www.frommers.com/slideshows/846674-exotic-but-kid-friendly-6-top-spots-for-family-vacations

The connections that Coyle made with people were amazing. Despite the language barrier he was able to connect in ways that I as an adult have never been able to. It was a special feeling to be able to watch that.

Checking each other out

The international language of bubbles

Meeting the tourists at the Great Wall

Connecting across generations and cultures - a high five is the same in any language!

Making a new friend

So was it worth it?
Absolutely!

I got to show Coyle some of my favorite places in the world and see those places through his eyes. And he got to see the Great Wall and pandas, things he has always been fascinated with. We both pushed ourselves beyond our comfort zone. He confidently explored unfamiliar places and tried new food and rides that he wasn't quite sure about at first. And me? Well I, the least theme park person on the planet, went to Disneyland and had a blast! It may have been different than my usual trips. We went a lot slower, took a lot more breaks and stopped to check out every garbage can on three continents but I wouldn't have it any other way. Most importantly, Coyle has caught the travel bug. He has been playing airport constantly and in the last week he's asked me to take him to Egypt and Australia - He is definitely my kid. I can't wait till our next adventure together.