Winding Down

It's hard to believe, but we are down to the last couple of weeks of our "Big Trip".

Unlike other portions of our trip, since we're in the western states of USA, we are spending our time with long-time friends and with family I haven't seen in years.  While we're still exploring new things, much of our time is spent story-telling and answering questions about our year-long, 19-country adventure.

Some of the Al-Alawi clan at the Grand Canyon:

Saif, Amira, Mira, Nadia, and Kamal (back row)

Alia and Maya (front row)

One question I've been asked a few times is "are you tired of it?"  (or varieties of that question, such as "are you ready to stop").

In all honesty, I'd have to say 'yes, I'm ready to end the trip'.

It has been a fantastic year, full of adventures and learnings and discovery of all kind, but...

We know that if all goes well, we will settle in Myanmar (aka Burma) for the next few years.  That in itself is an adventure.  Where in Yangon will we live?  In an apartment or a house?  Where will the girls go to school?  Will we finally get a new dog (to "replace" Sawa, the white German Shepherd who had been part of the family for 14 years)?  What is it like on the coast of Myanmar?  And how about the north - we only visited Yangon and central Myanmar when we were there in November.  And what about the other expats - what are they like?  I want to end the trip mostly so that I can find the answers to these questions!

I'm also ready to stay in a place with a kitchen for more than just a week or two.  I like eating fresh fruits and vegetables.  I like creating delicious meals from them.  I like being able to control what and how much I eat (especially now that we're in USA where food habits tend to be pretty different from our family food culture).  I miss being able to open a fridge and make a quick and simple snack or meal without having to go to a restaurant for it.

And (while I hate to admit it), I'm looking forward to wearing some different clothes -  I'm tired of my four or five shirts!!  I want a few more items of clothing.  I don't want to HAVE to do laundry every few days.

Nadia

Free and Equal

Despite evidence to the contrary all over the world, I strongly believe that every person is born free and equal in dignity and rights.

First part of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, on the wall of the Museum of Memory and Human Rights in Santiago, Chile

In Chile, Augusto Pinochet ruled ruthlessly for almost twenty years.  Thousands of people disappeared.

Photographs of some of the many people "disappeared" during the Pinochet regime

Free speech and opposition to the regime were not allowed.  Art was used widely as a medium for expressing truth.

Traditional Chilean appliqué produced during the 1970's

The president's regime was overthrown by popular vote.  The opposition campaign, which won overwhelmingly, focused on the positive, was very upbeat, and asked people to vote "no" for an extension of the presidential term.

Photograph by Alfredo Jaar, of a billboard from the opposition campaign, asking "are you happy?"

Today, Chile is colorful and hopeful.

The girls in Valparaiso, Chile, sitting in front of a couple of the extremely common murals 

And many Chileans have learned from the past.

A typical weekend city park poster asking us not to forget about the missing Mexican university students.  

If only everyone would respect human rights and give peace a chance... the world would be a better place.  Spread the word.  Open your eyes.  Do what you can.

Nadia

Never Again?

Two days ago, while at staying at a gorgeous youth hostel in Raglan, New Zealand, I met an American (USA) family.  They have two girls (8 and 10 years old) with whom they are traveling for six months.  They are also homeschooling their kids.  They were only three weeks into their trip, which is heading west (compared to our easterly travel direction).  Next week, they will be heading to Asia, where we spent seven months.

We only spoke together for a few minutes, but the mother asked me for advice for their upcoming time in Asia.  She said "There are plenty of good places but is there any place we should avoid?"

It was a good preface to her question.  There ARE lots of good places.  There are tons of great places.  We have seen and done so many wonderful things so far, but quickly, three "must-do's" come to mind - places I would recommend in a second (interestingly, they are all very remote or natural places)!

Staying in treehouses and flying along 15 kilometers of zip-lines through the forest in the Laotian Nam Kan National Park.

Spending four incredible days snorkeling and hiking while camping and kayaking on the beautiful islands in Palau.

Exploring the remote backwater villages through the jungles of Borneo for five days in a motorized dugout canoe.

Surfing the long left-handed breaks on a near-empty beach when staying in a teepee at a serene and healthy hostel in Raglan, New Zealand.

But is there any place I would recommend travelers or families avoid, from amongst the many places we have been so far?  Places I would never ever go to again?

No.  There is no place (to which we have been on this trip), that I would never go to again or would tell people to avoid.

That might seem unlikely - but remember - attitude is everything!

Nadia

The Jump

Carefully, I bring my left leg over the railing. Just sitting there, half way off, have way on, the wind blows in my face, making me wobble. This is the scariest part. I pull my right leg up, and slide it slowly over the cold brass pole. My weight is balanced just so, between my hands, my butt, and the tips of my toes. If my hands or toes slip, I will fall. I've waited long enough. I take in one last breath of air, and push off with the tips of my feet. The wind blows my hair up, as my arms and legs flail in mid air. What seems like eternity, is actually only a couple seconds. First my feet slap the surface, then my hands, and then I'm fully submerged. The river has engulfed me, and now I'm floating downstream. I did it, the perilous jump from the foot bridge. And now it's time to do it again :)

Maya

More Colonial History

When someone says New Zealand, what comes to mind?  Ok, besides rolling green hills and your typical western towns?

Rolling green hills in the central part of the North Island

A church in Napier, North Island, New Zealand

A beautiful art deco building in Napier, North Island, New Zealand

What other image pops into your head?  What do the people look like?  What types of clothes do they wear?  What kind of food do the people eat?  What kind of music do they sing or play?

Not surprisingly, I think of people who are descendants of Brits, with light colored, sun-sensitive skin.  I picture western-style clothing.  I taste fish and chips and roast and potatoes.  I hear European or American pop music.

The reality is a little different.  Much of the country is tropical.

A reserve on Cooks Bay, North Island, New Zealand

And the people, well, the pre-colonial people are not unlike the other people of the South Pacific, in their looks, their clothing, their food, and their music!

An amazing Maori singer in Whakarewarewa, near Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand

A powerful haka performance in Whakarewarewa, near Rotorua, North Island, New Zealand

The cultural similarities to Tahiti and Hawaii and Fiji and Somao are not surprising, not when you think about it, given the geographical proximity.  But I was surprised at my own stereotypes.  And surprised that I was surprised!

My reflexive images and ideas of the country are a good example of the strength of the colonial history and the power of the current dominant culture...

Nadia

  

Urban vs Rural

Because it is the middle of February (already), we are actively talking about our next posting.  To which country will we move in July or August?  Where do we want to live?  What sort of city or town would be our ideal?

I don't know the answer to that question.

Today is our last day in Australia.  We explored the cities of Melbourne, Hobart, and Sydney.  We relaxed in the smaller towns of Torquay, Pambula, and Coffs Harbor.  We trekked and hiked trails in Tasmania.  We had time in urban, rural, and natural settings.

Each has its advantages.

I love the politics and the uber cool, artsy things in big cities.

Hobart protest about refugee treatment by the Australian government

I love the community and friendliness of smaller cities and towns.

Morning visitors in Pambula garden

I love the outdoors and active lifestyle of natural settings.

Coastal hike in Port Arthur

Whatever happens, I do know that the sea must be nearby and nature must be accessible.

We shall see where we end up...

Nadia

Luxury in Australia

"It is a luxury to do something that serves no practical purpose: the luxury of civilization!"
   The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Steadman

Luxury:  swinging on a rope swing above Coffs Creek

Luxury: surfing at Park Beach on a weekday

Luxury: hiking Coffs rainforest with a friend

Luxury: rescuing and caring for orphaned or abused animals

Practical:  doing school work to learn and grow

Luxury:  doing school work in a lounge chair by a river in Tasmania

Luxury:  hiking with your family in Cradle Mountain National Park

Practical:  transporting family from one lodging to another

Luxury:  transporting your lodging (camper van) from one national park to another

Luxury:  sitting at a view point on top of Cradle Mountain

Practical:  washing sweat off your body

Luxury:  bathing in Crater Lake

Yet again, I am reminded of how lucky we are...

Nadia

Third Culture Family

Traveling, living, and raising my family in less industrialized countries around the world has many advantages:  we get to know countries deeply;  we (including the kids) are tolerant of the "other";  I have friends all over the world; and we are easy going and flexible (I think!).

I do however miss out on things.  I became aware of this at 18, when, as a third culture kid, I moved "home" to live in USA for the first time as a young adult attending university.  I am aware of it now, as I explore the city of Melbourne in Australia (the first heavily industrialized country we've travelled to on our Big Trip).

The beautiful and clean city of Melbourne

The big cities are incredibly clean in "first world" countries.

St. Kilda's extraordinary clean city beach

People make space and dedicate resources for art and sports.

Maya in front of Eureka Tower, with it's installation of The Bees

Mira watching a street performer along the Yarra River in downtown Melbourne

The venue for the Australian Open Tennis Tournament in downtown Melbourne

There are other things too, which I sorely miss in my "normal" life in less-industrialized countries:  organic foods, multi-cultural restaurants, grocery stores with an international range of reasonably-priced ingredients and produce, city planning, functional public transportation, and many friends and family.

At the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, with Megan, friend of over 20 years

There are pluses and minuses where ever we choose to live...

Nadia

Six Month Reflection

We are about half way through our Big Trip.  We've been on the road for six months.  We travelled in 10 countries in Asia, including Thailand, Laos, Indonesia, Palau, Singapore, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

I left Asia on Friday, taking a small detour from our Big Trip.  Despite short daylight hours and freezing temperatures (-11 C / 10 F), I couldn't refuse a quick work trip to Finland for a consultancy on women's rights and peace (my two passions!).  Rob and the girls are departing Asia on Tuesday, heading to Australia, where we will rendezvous on Saturday.  After a month in Oz, we continue our journey eastward towards the Americas (see map for planned itinerary).

Now that Asia is already behind me, it's a little odd to think that I won't be (easily) having noodle soup for breakfast any more...

I also find myself reflecting on our trip thus far.  A lot of people have asked me what my favorite part of the trip has been, or which country I liked best - questions I find impossible to answer!  Every part of the trip has been magical in its own way.  Some parts were very exotic.  Some parts were really fun.  Some parts were rich because we shared them with specific people (old friends, family, even new friends).  Some parts were adventurous and daring and exciting.  Some parts were hilarious.  How can I compare and rank the wonders we have seen and experienced?!?!

Alaronis on June 28, 2015, in Thailand

People have also asked me if I'm tired of traveling.  In all honesty, I'm not!  We are in a rhythm now, with our routines of packing and unpacking, and knowing our respective roles when we get to hotels or airports or train stations.  We plan slow days in which we only have one short thing planned for the day.  We plan free mornings or whole days in which we have no plans other than catching up on school work and trip planning, or hanging out reading, or playing games, or messaging with family and friends.  And we have periodic rest stops, typically at houses, in which we have a week or more in which we don't tour or move around.  We haven't been "on vacation" for six months - we have been traveling (the difference between the two is the pace).

Alaronis on December 28, 2015, in Cambodia

It has been an amazing journey so far.  We have learned a lot about the world and each other.  I am so looking forward to the adventure of the next six months!!!

Nadia

People are People...

Having just departed Bhutan, I am reminded of the importance of identifying similarities.  It's easy to see differences among people and cultures, especially in "exotic" places in which people wear different clothes or speak different languages or have different rituals and practices.

We can learn and grow when we are mindful and strive to find ways in which we are alike.

Nadia

All of us have dreams and prayers...

...we love to dance...

...we need food...

...we have cultural and religious rituals...

...we are inspired by art...

 ...and we need love and hugs.

Return of the Mummy

"Yah, my sister died on this ride" I lied to the trembling people behind me. We were currently on the mummy ride at Universal studios Singapore.

"What, no, I want to get off" She said. But it started to move before she could say anything to the ride person. It moved for about 10 seconds and stops. Now me, I have been on this ride 5 times before and this hadn't happened. But they soon got it to work and we started to move. There were scary voices and a man tied up, having his soul sucked out of him. Then we entered a room with a skull talking. 

"Work for me and have everything you ever imagined!"  The lights turned on to my left and right. 

"But if you refuse..." Two big scary monster thing jumped out. The women behind me screamed. Then we started going fast and crashes into a wall. Then a black beatle came out of the crack, then thousands started running after us. The lady wouldn't stop screaming. We started going backwards and fast. Then we stopped. And a creepy voice said,

"You dare refuse me! now..."  There was a pause. 

        "Your souls are mine," he yelled. We started speeding up really fast then faster. We entered a red skulls mouth and we were speeding down really fast in pitch black. Then we stopped. The lights turned on, their was a man who said some stuff and then caught on fire. This was normal but the women screamed, and the man laughed. Then we went down a dark fast twisty part. The ride finished after that. It was my favorite ride.

- Mira