That’s a wrap folks!

As our adventurous trip comes to a conclusion I wonder who has learnt more about themselves and the world, myself or my girls.

As a mother observing her children under new and demanding circumstances each day that are out of the ordinary, I’ve been amazed at what I’ve discovered. I expected that Sunny and Rosiegirl would sense the ‘bigness’ of our world pretty quickly but for Sunny, this moment came only a couple of weeks ago whilst flying from Iceland to NYC via Helsinki. She just seemed to suddenly ‘get it’ that the world is a huge and awe inspiring place and that home is indeed very, very far away. She has really missed socializing with her peers, having constant contact with her friends and expressing herself creatively. She is busting to go back to school, make her own food (yes, this trip has turned both girls off from wanting to eat out again for a long time) and sleep in her own bed. Her capacity to embrace the hugeness of the world and go with the flow has been her constant challenge. But since her new worldview epiphany, Sunny has been more relaxed in herself as well as with her fellow travelling companions. A true gift for us all! There has been nowhere to hide on our trip if one of us at any time were struggling with something. Each person’s struggle flashed like a bright red beacon for all the family to see and each of us in our turn experienced it’s blinding light.

Rosiegirl is a natural at travelling so long as she doesn’t lose or misplace something! Her unquestionable acceptance and comprehension that our world is a huge canvas waiting to be noticed and painted has given her boundless energy, enthusiasm and endurance to just be in the moment at each given location. She’s been able to use her favourite creative outlet on our entire trip, which has kept her spirit and passion positive and excited. Her decision very early on in the trip to have minimal contact with home gave her space mentally to enjoy the rewards of travel. She is definitely looking forward to seeing her friends, going back to school, eating her own food and sleeping in her own bed but these desires haven’t caused her any major emotional pain – very different to Sunny’s experience.

Another major point of observation is in relation to the lack of face to face peer contact my girls have had over these past 3 months and its impact on them as individuals as well as on their relationship with each other. Teenage girls can be mean and nasty to each other, and my girls are certainly no exception. They have had tears, yelling, hitting, pushing, running away and lots of anger and frustration at times and yet have survived, I think, for the better. They know each other super well now – the good, the bad and the ugly. I’m sure the fruit of their closer sisterly bond will be evident over the months to come as only last week they have wanted to shop together, hang out in Times Square together, do hair and makeup together and started making some plans together for when they get home. My hope is that this newfound understanding and appreciation of each other will become the foundation for a strong, loving, caring and supportive sibling relationship for the rest of their lives. A great by-product of our trip indeed!

It’s our last morning in NYC. We watched Waitress the Musical last night with Katharine McPhee as the lead as our final hoorah on this trip. What a fabulous show to end on! Such talented people, great inspiration and lots of fun and laughter too. We all loved it and had a fun night together – of course no-one could sleep afterwards being on a show high so right now the girls are getting their final sleep in before we head home later today. It’s been a wildly emotional ride these past 14 weeks for all of us in our different ways but I am grateful for these challenging experiences. Constant uncertainty has at times pushed Sunny and Rosiegirl to their limit but will no doubt increase their inner capacity to cope with new things in the future and to just trust the journey.

What an awesome gift to give to ourselves – the gift of being present in each moment. If my girls can do this their whole lives what a life it will be.

On a final note, I’d like to share the day I became a ‘cool’ Mum in Rosiegirl’s eyes. It happened when we were in Zermatt Switzerland and I bought myself a backpack. Now this is no ordinary backpack, it’s a Fjällräven Kånken backpack, the recycled re-kånken type! The look on her face when I decided to buy it was priceless. She was so proud of me for getting something so cool and recycled too. Was worth the money just for the response – I felt so good and stepped out of that shop rockin’ my new backpack! Honestly, I think she’s hoping to be able to borrow it once we get home as she is rather a Kånken fan having 2 other types already. That’s ok. I’m down with that. She can borrow my Kånken and I’ll borrow her shoes as on this trip her feet have grown to my size and all her new shoes fit me. That’s a great deal I’m thinkin’!

Thanks to all for reading my posts and journeying with us on our trip. I’ve enjoyed the process of writing very much and hope to do more of it in different ways in the future. Take care and see you in Oz.

The Staples of Touring Europe

We’ve driven 6,500km and completed our self-guided tour of the European continent. Yay! We did it! It’s been 8 weeks of close quarters, lots of crazy driving on the ‘right’ side of the road and constant decisions about where to eat next. All these experiences in small quantities are fun even exciting but after 8 weeks of them the sheer effort of just getting on has become the challenge many times. So what! I hear you say. You’re on holiday! Don’t sweat the small stuff! It’s all apart of the adventure!

Yep. I agree. Absolutely true. No extended trip is complete without hearing someone else’s very private moments through a wall or nearly being run off the road by cars and trucks cutting corners on cliff roads freaking everyone out or fighting over which restaurant to eat in – such bliss! So, in order to enjoy these experiences and many more like them, I had to come up with ways of alleviating these potential tension creating cracks in our delicate parent/child relationships. Out of necessity I have discovered some staple coping mechanisms or ‘staples’ of how best to keep my teenagers from going over the edge into either their ‘hangry’ phase – you know, a hungry angry teenager (not too pleasant to travel with!) or completely disengage and retreat into their emotional cave too much.

Here’s what I’ve discovered so far:

1.    Bread and cheese: yep good old bread and cheese is the staple that keeps on giving in any country. Be it croissant and cream cheese in France, margarita pizza in Italy, cheese fondue in Switzerland, pasta with cheesy sauce in Austria, cheese on rolls in Bavaria or the cheese panini everywhere this staple feeds hangry teenagers anywhere at anytime and has saved me much angst!

2.    Toilet music: when nature calls the whole family knew about it whether they want to or not so the staple of toilet music was born. Whoever goes to the bathroom must take their phone with them and play music so that the rest of the family doesn’t need to be involved in ‘their business’. Has worked a treat – now, if only the toilet lid could just stay down too that would be awesome (this request came from the man of the family!).

3.    Wi-Fi access: every time we arrived at new accommodation Sunny’s first question was always about the Wi-Fi access. Having Wi-Fi became a staple very quickly when we all needed some “space” from each other in the same room. We could just put our ear buds in and hook up to our individual Wi-Fi show of choice creating a virtual privacy. Ahhhh space!

4.    Take own water everywhere: teenagers are always thirsty so having our own water in our own water bottles has indeed been a necessary staple and has saved us lots of money too. We had a couple of incidences where we turned up at a restaurant for dinner and the girls were offered alcohol because apparently they looked old enough! Well Sunny thought this was great and has since tried to convince me that if others think she looks old enough then she could just have some wine with me. Sorry honey, not happening no matter how many times you nag me!

5.    Separate beds for the girls: do I need to say more? Teenagers sleeping in the same double bed with the same doona is a mistake! Do all you can to avoid it! Oh boy!

6.    Snacks: a must have staple for car journeys and for waiting in long sightseeing lines. Standard requirement for all ages really.

7.    Aim to travel zero waste: it’s just the right thing to do really so was a chosen staple before we left, but travelling zero waste has been a difficult task to continually stay true to. To assist us, we, at the insistence of my eco-warrior Rosiegirl, all brought with us our own keep cup, metal lunchbox, water bottle, spork and canvas bags for any shopping. She also brought her own metal straw, beeswax wrappers and hankies as she doesn’t use tissues anymore. All sounds plausible and doable before leaving but in practice, often the choice of doing the right environmental thing was out of our control as an international traveller. Take away food came in take away then throw away containers and combined with the language and cultural differences, communicating something simple like how we don’t want a plastic straw and why was often a monumental task. Rosiegirl was determined to succeed at this particular small endeavor, alas, her requests were more often than not ignored or misunderstood – I’m sure she’s experienced eco-anxiety almost everyday on our trip as the use of plastics is everywhere and there is no getting away from it.

8.    Learn basic pleasantries of each new country visited: there is just no excuse for not being able to be polite even if you stuff it up! The attempt is what matters and plus each bungled attempt (which there were many by the way) provided much entertainment for the rest of the family!

9.    Visiting Lush in each city: such remarks as “oh, I need some more soap!” or “I’ve run out of hair cream!” or “Let’s check out what’s new in this store!” have lured us all in every single time which turned visiting Lush into an unexpected staple. Honestly, I could write a whole separate blog on “Lushing your way around Europe with teenagers” as we certainly spent our fair share of time in this store in multiple locations. Yes I love the products too but we didn’t need to visit every single store in each city! Rosiegirl has since informed me how we are also definitely visiting London Oxford Street Lush as it’s the biggest in the world with unique products – oh well, maybe I could use another bar of great smelling soap!

Fabulous at Fifteen

A couple of weeks ago, Sunny had the delight of turning 15 years old during the 'Italian Leg' of our adventure trip. Oh yes, the joy of becoming 15! Actually, is it a joy? Was it a joy for anyone? I personally have absolutely no memory of turning 15 and even if I had a birthday party (Mum, can you help me out here?). I do recall 15 being not one of my favourite ages - very intense time, attempting to become a grown up when clearly I was ill equipped to do so and of course the distraction of boys didn't help!

As I was always aware that Sunny's impending 15th birthday would occur while we were away on our trip, I wanted to make sure it took place in a fantastic location that she would love (or at least like - well that we all liked) and that we did something special in that location to mark the event. So what could we do as a family that would please a new 15 year old? I decided we would go visit the "sexiest man in the world". Not bad, eh? Wouldn't mind meeting him myself....... check him out....... see if it's true. Can you guess who he is? He's Italian, lives in Florence and is around 500 years old - yes, the awesome statue of David himself and I have to say he is absolutely beautiful in all his 5m high natural glory. A very imposing figure - so smooth, so well defined, so..... out of proportion. What the? This is the statue of the perfect man! How can this be? Now the part of the male anatomy that you would assume to be made larger was actually overshadowed by David's oversized hands, feet and head. Fortunately, these slight imperfections didn't make any impact on Sunny. She was quite amazed at David's beauty and enthralled with his facial expression. How he managed to look confident and sure from the front, yet pensive and concerned from the side was the topic of much discussion - and yes, we did also mention the fact that he was in the buff and how his pubic hair looked like it had just stepped out of a salon, but all in all, Sunny had a wonderful and unique 15th birthday with us and David.

Since visiting Florence, Rome and most recently Pompeii, the impact of ancient art in its varying forms has been great on Sunny and Rosiegirl and in particular, on one main theme. We were all wowed over and over again by the magnificence of ancient times but why are most men portrayed in the nude? Travelling with 2 young female teenagers and seeing penis's (what is the plural of this word?) everywhere you turn or look up at has been very confronting at times, and yet, has made for some very funny and interesting conversations too! The girls have learnt a great deal about male anatomy in all its varying sizes and shapes - thank you ancient Italy for being such a thorough teacher. I can't wait to see what topic their next lesson will be!

Ode to New Company

You know, you were never expected to be a part of this trip.

So many plans were made without you, that if I even had one tip

That you were coming

Maybe I’d have prepared better and taken up running.

The baggage you have brought is heavy, even for the strongest here

It’s weight at times so overbearing that all it does is smear

Our eyes with tears and tear at our bodies with ache

I sometimes wish an earthquake

Would swallow me whole, set me free

But truly, I do see

That you can’t help but be who you are

Bring what you bring, always leaving a scar.

I’ll just have to get used to you being around everyday.

Even when everyone here wants to laugh and play.

Know though that there are sites to see,

Places to go, new things to do; so don’t give me

More trouble than I can bare

Not on this trip that I’ve been longing to share

With my family.

It’s the littlest of things that seem difficult for you

So try to lay low, enjoy the view

But no – that’s when you rise up without compromise

I’ve witnessed you rob my man of his precious highs.

It’s meant to be our trip! Don’t you get it?

I don’t want to share it - geez, I sound pathetic!

Enough now!

Let’s all take a look at the stunning view

The mountains, the villages, everything is so new

On this trip.

There is more than enough here for us all to enjoy

Yes even you, no need to destroy.

So now new companion, forever intertwined

You will never completely possess this heart or mind

That’s the choice made today with just a little pain

Not so sure what tomorrow will bring, as once again

Your unpredictable company can just shut up shop.

Has the power to stop

And derail or overtake.

Why do I give so much and all you do is take?

So please, dear company, don’t push and shove so much

You will find your place; I will learn your touch

I know you are there, just beneath

The newest of companies, my companion grief.

Reality Check

Is it possible to keep to a travel budget when introducing teenagers to the world on an adventure holiday? Teenagers eat alot, cost the same as adults for most tours, activities and shows and love to buy stuff. It's a potential money pit of grandiose proportions. Sure, the ideal of travelling within the pre-travel budget is all well and good until the trip begins and the spending doesn't stop.

One way in which to ease the necessary reality of a holiday budget when travelling with teenagers is to ensure that they save up their own spending money before departing. Great idea? Absolutely. Is this possible? For sure, but not without challenge and sacrifice on behalf of the teenager. What! Challenge? Sacrifice? I know, it almost sounds cruel to expect such things from teenagers especially before the holiday even begins, but with such destinations as Tokyo, Paris, Rome, London and New York to name a few on the horizon, spending is inevitable.

So for the past two or so years, Adam and I have encouraged our girls to save money whenever possible, and once their money went into the bank it wasn't available until the holiday. This sort of 'rule' of course was indeed a test of commitment 'to spend now or not to spend', and that became the reoccurring conflict the girls faced each time money was burning in their hot little hands.

"The wait was worth it!", cries Rosiegirl as we enter Shibuya 109 in Tokyo - 7 levels of shopping heaven for teenage girls size S or smaller. She makes a beeline for her favourite stores, Yen poised, ready to spend to her heart's desire, or at least to her own budget. I'm thinking, this is fab! Not only can the girls buy what they choose, I don't have to pay for it. They will learn so much about budgeting, how to resist impulse buys, ration out their spending and......... well....... we are now only 3 weeks into our 14 week trip and both Sunny and Rosiegirl have spent over half their money. Hmmm, at least they haven't spent it all? After a frank discussion about the swift depletion of their bank accounts in a relatively short time, they decided that no more spending is going to take place until they reach London - that's 6 weeks away.

So, as we visit the spectacular Chateau's of the Loire Valley, walk through the vast Popes Palace in Avignon, admire the scenery of the French and Italian Rivieras, see priceless works of art in Florence and Rome, drive the stunning Amalfi Coast, relax and eat gelato in Venice, drink schnapps and see an orangutan in Vienna, dance on a famous fountain in Salzburg, scale the heights of the original Disney Castle in Bavaria, ride the highest railway in the world in Switzerland, drink fine wine in Dijon and dream new dreams in Versailles, there will be NO spending.

This should be a breeze. Ask me again in 6 weeks......

Let's get Practical

Let's get practical, practical
We gotta get practical, let's get into practical
Let me hear your suitcase talk, your suitcase talk
Let me hear your suitcase talk......

First stop: Tokyo, Japan

When organising this adventure holiday each family member had the opportunity to choose a destination and/or event that they particularly wanted to experience which could be included in this trip. Going to Japan was Rosiegirl's request so off to Tokyo we go to begin our magnificent adventure holiday.

Because of the way our hotel rooms were booked (and the size of the double bed!), I chose to be roommates with Sunny and Rosiegirl while Adam had a room to himself. Not too bad, lots of girly fun to be had! We reached our room, I put down my bag, opened it in the corner, turned around and the floor had disappeared. An explosion of clothes, toiletries, shoes, jackets and bags had confiscated any resemblance of square footage - hmmm, this is not very practical I thought, just functioning may be trickier that I anticipated! So herein lies our first practical lesson - keep your stuff in your own space or else Mumma will go slowly crazy!

I have to mention here that Rosiegirl is a bag packing champion. If there existed a bag packing Olympics she would be the gold medalist. Her bag packing skills and prowess are to be admired and we all benefited from her particular travel gift before we left. Our bags started out orderly and as we leave Japan today and head for Paris our bags are sorted once again. It's just the in between time we gotta work on! So ok, nothing too difficult here to solve, sure I may have had a couple of outbursts because I couldn't reach my bed without embedding something in my foot but other than that I was cool!

Did you know Tokyo railway tickets are tiny? We were all amazed at their lack of size and this fact was certainly tested on our journey home from Disneyland. It's late, cold and wet (yet we still had a fun time at Disneyland despite the weather), and we are on Japan Rail (JR) almost at Tokyo station when Sunny announces "I've lost my ticket!". I'm thinking, oh bummer, (actually insert swear word here) what do we do about this? I'm too tired to deal with this, blah, blah (yes whingey mother arrived!). Then this very lovely Japanese man sitting next to me said he saw her drop it a few minutes ago, and there the ticket was at her feet. Yay! Saved from dealing with this problem! We all happily get off at Tokyo station to change railway lines - by the way Tokyo station is absolutely HUGE - then Rosiegirl pipes up and says "I've lost my ticket!". Oh crap! Really! In my 'I don't really want to deal with this but have to' mindset, I find a rogue ticket on the ground with the right date and sufficient fare. I suggest we to go our destination and use this one. Of course it doesn't work! Trying to then explain to the ticket man who has zero English why we have this 'fake' ticket was impossible so I paid the whole fare again and we were on our merry tired way. Practical lesson learnt - put your railway ticket somewhere safe or Mumma will swear out loud!

I must mention here that Sunny navigated the JR and subway very quickly and was able to guide us all on many complicated journeys around Tokyo. I knew her fab maths brain and skills would come in handy practically someday!

101 Days to Go

It's the night before I set off on a world adventure holiday with my husband, Adam, and our two teenage daughters, Sunny aged 14 and 11 months and Rosiegirl aged 13 and a half (very important to post exact ages apparently!) for 101 days - yes you read correctly, 101 days. Is this wise? Yep. Is this crazy? Yep. Is this intense? Absolutely.

When I mentioned my upcoming trip to people in conversation I found their responses varied from excitement and envy to shock and even "that's in the too hard basket". Travelling has it's challenges as I've experienced in the past so I imagine travelling with teenagers will be a whole new experience of varied challenges. My girls have never been out of Australia but will now have the amazing opportunity of visiting 11 countries in 101 days with us, Mum and Dad!

Why such a big trip all at once? Firstly, this trip is not only to introduce a global experience to my teenage girls but it's very much an opportunity for me (and my husband) to break away from the treadmill of life and choose something new and courageous everyday for at least a little while. The forced physical change of location and the varying challenges that present themselves through the nature of travel will hopefully lend to an increased capacity of internal growth which is something I desire. And secondly, hey we just really want to go on an adventure holiday with the kids!

I do expect this trip to be A-mazing especially because of my teenagers. Because of their youth, worldly innocence, boldness and current interests, their perception of the world as they meet it will be a wonder to witness, a special time to behold as the beginnings of new ideas, fresh inspiration and a newfound respect for this incredible planet and all who dwell here bubbles up, and takes firm hold of their hearts and minds in unique and profound ways. That is what travelling has done for me in the past so why not my girls too? Oh yes, the teenage thing. Right! Ok!

Well herein lies the challenge of travelling with teenagers - how do we all have a fab time, not kill each other, learn something new or be inspired and come home talking to each other? Guess I'm about to find out: it's that expectation versus reality issue although my gut tells me that both will end up the being the same........

I plan on posting blogs along the way of my trip although regularity will depend upon what's happening and it's relevance to travelling with teenagers! (might be more often than I anticipate...)
If you have travelled with teenagers before I say congratulations you did it! That's amazing - feel free to share any handy tips!

If you are like me on the brink of travelling with teenagers - I'm choosing to believe that it won't be too bad. Mood swings? Sure. Complaining? Yep. Whinging and whining? A little. Being unreasonable? Ok! Let's stop there!  As a family we've jumped in boots and all and plan on swimming. Here we go!