In the years I was teaching, when parents called to say their child would miss class due to travel, I cheered. Travel introduces us to change, cultures, cuisine, and teaches inclusion as it expands our universe.
The world is a benevolent place. Friendly, interesting, and generous people abound. Walks across Scotland and Portugal encouraged me to be curious and ask questions. This year, I’ll check out a few new places and look forward to chats in coffee shops, conversations in queues, and I’ll take pictures of the people I meet, not just the places I see.
Here are my ten tips for travelers. Share with your children!
- Be a sponge. Soak up the culture, the cuisine, and be open to alternate routes.
- Have an outline not a schedule.
- Travel light. The less you take, the more fun you’ll have.
- Take gifts: A favorite poem, a handmade gift card, or even a postcard acknowledges the kindness of others. It’s gratitude in action.
- Learn “Please,” “Thank you,” and, “Where’s the toilet,” in the local language.
- Leave jewelry at home and take a hat.
- Write daily in a travel journal: what you see, what you ate, how you felt, what you thought, and who you met along the way. The more details the better.
- Treat everyone with respect.
- Take home stories not trinkets.
- Surrender to the journey.
3 Comments
Lee Ann Poe
As always beautifully written. I’m so excited to hear about this wonderful trip on your return.
Your wisdom on packing I need to take to heart. As I pack for our cruise in October.
Here’s to a wonderful trip for you and Elliott
Lee Ann
Julie Gardner
Love this Kate! I remember when we met at the TED conference and you gave me one of your books of poems; I was flabbergasted you had it with you in Oxford amd thrilled to take a piece of you home with me! The start of a beautiful friendship❤️. Such a brilliant idea!
Yelena
Trips – our treasure even when we can’t travel anymore because of this or that. We can remember our former trips and be really happy with it. Travel any time when it’s possible! And then you can travel there again and again any time you like. And welcome to my house!