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We made it to Seville in great time! No extra round abouts, u-turns or missed exits. While I'd like to attribute the success to us, it really is amazing how smoothly a car trip can go in a foreign country when the GPS recognizes your hotel. The drive from Barcelona to Alicante was lush and as we were driving through Valencia, full of orange groves. Today's drive through the Andalucia region was barren, rocky and colored by the silvery green of olive trees. We were intriqued by the many homes cut into the hills with just doorways visible. Nina keeps saying everything is weird. I know it is just a word choice, but I am trying to get her to see that it is all just different.
Mailbag The idea for the trip came around 9 years ago. I was at Bemis Public Library near our old house in Littleton. We were thinking of taking a big trip with some friends and couldn't decide where to go. I was browsing the travel books and saw, One Year Off: Leaving it All Behind for A Round-The-World Journey with Our Children by David Elliot Cohen. I loved the book and renewed it until I finally bought it. Conversations about this trip started with...I'm reading a book about the most exciting real life adventure to...what if we were to try something like that when the kids are older to...here we are! Since then we have bought a mini library of books on the idea of families or couples traveling for a year, gap years, education through experiences, etc. I have subscribed to a Google alert on RTW travel and have found many of my favorite blogs that way. My new favorite is Globetrottingmama. She and her family just returned home to Canada after a year of travel. I think they hit 6 continents - impressive! I also have joined or follow many groups on Facebook. Meet, Plan, Go is wonderful and I attended a get-together last year in St. Louis with a panel of people who pulled off extended travel and lived to tell. Hands down my favorite site, where I have spent more hours than I can count is Boots n'All http://www.bootsnall.com/ (shout out to Adam Seper). It is the one stop for independent travel. The daily articles cover topics about different countries, how to manage the dream to reality of long-term travel, what to pack, how to buy plane tickets, etc. And here we are on a regular Wednesday (I think) in August in a hotel in Seville, Spain, everyone quietly reading and finishing a little schoolwork before we head out for some tapas and Rioja. It's my family, but a whole new world!
Hope all is well with all of you.
Amy
- comments
Kathy Arnett Love it that all is going well! And, while I'm a fan of the logistics, my favorite blog entry is still driving the car into the side of the garage. It's like watching reality tv, but with personal knowledge on the characters. We especially enjoyed filling in between the lines of what wasn't said at the exact moment that happened. :) Enjoy your tapas and drink an extra glass of Spanish wine for me. Love, Kath
Betsy and Murph So glad to hear you are all doing well! Murph and I, of course, have loved all of your stories. Stay healthy and happy and continue making your dream come true! All is well here, haven't seen anyone come in or out of your house...might have to get out to binos! XXOO
Ted Barklage Love the information. I was looking up all of the blogs and books as I was reading through the post. Sometime when you get back and get a chance, I'd love to see a list of all of the books and whatnot that you read or checked out and hear what was worthwhile and what wasn't. Safe travels!
Jackie It's takes a lot of courage to give this amazing opportunity to your family. I'm enjoying you blog and will travel with you! Safe travels.
Sherry Ott Amy - congrats on following your travel dreams! We are so happy to hear of stories like yours of people who have broken free and are seeing the world thereby expanding their understanding of the world! Happy that you enjoyed the Meet Plan Go! event in St. Louis last year and we can only hope that it provided you some additional inspiration and information! Enjoy the Rioja!
Elaine Herbst Much Love to my family! Miss you, but the blog is great. Thanks for the info that I probably should already have in my head - but don't!. What an adventure! You are all very courageous and learning the world first hand. Love, MOM
Kim Loving the blog!!! So glad to hear that you are all well and safe. Update as much as possible-really enjoying traveling through your eyes:)
Val Marbury I can not tell you how much I am enjoying living vicariously through you guys!!!! I just wish I could be with you to translate for you in Spain!!! Hope you love Granada!
Judy White Hi G4's, I have finally caught up with you and am enjoying all the adventures! After having lived in Norway, roundabout stories, narrow garages and roads...those make for some great reading and remembering! I have friends in San Pedro de Alacantra, but I think you probably just breezed through there! They came for Kenton's wedding...will have to hook you up next time! It is so much fun to follow your trip, sorry we didn't get you hooked up in person with Hayley. Repatriating takes time as you will know next July! Please have a churro for me! I remember thinking, "A fried doughnut stick and thick chocolate pudding to dip it in, I may never leave!". Apparently, you can overdose on them...worth trying to anyway! Can't wait for the next post!
Karyn LeFevre Orange Fanta and dirt make great camouflage for dents in foreign cars......just ask Russ when you're ready to turn it in! Missing you all but loving the blog and the opportunity to feel like we homebodies are a part of it! Boy, I hope I get the math problem right so this will post!!
Pat Amy, so glad that you arrived safely and are enjoying the differences in cultures. This will be an exhilirating experience that will last a lifetime. ENJOY......thanks for sharing with us homebodies......
John Falconetti Amy- Don't worry about Nina commenting that things are weird. You know when she gets older she'll think back fondly on these experiences and marvel that she was able to have this amazing opportunity (she and Celeste both)! The blog posts and pictures have been phenomenal and driving through Spain while harrowing, seems also very exciting and adventuresome. Enjoy the rest of the time and we look forward to reading more! -Falconetti
Amy All, Thanks for the kind words. Contact with home is so exciting. Judy - Hayley will definitely be our repatriating source upon on return. Ted - I'll be in touch. Think I'll be your RTW librarian and pass the books onto you so you can take a look for yourself.