This week marks the end of eight weeks of travel on our 6 month adventure. It's been a beautiful journey so far, and I am writing this today, because tomorrow marks a new start. We expect Barry to land in Basel shortly and make the 220km drive south to the rustico where we have been enjoying a peaceful time.
Throughout this trip some of the things I thought would bother me don't. Such as lack of clothing variety, so few shoes to choose from, and constantly moving from place to place. I brought too much clothing and have left things along the way, and the constant excitement of moving hasn't fatigued me as I had expected. What I wouldn't have guessed would be top of my list on wants while travelling is good internet service. I didn't realize how dependent I'd become on this communication tool, and living without it for even a day seems exceptionally inconvenient. I always feel like I might miss something. Paying about $10 per day is Switzerland to have a data plan on my phone that can create a hotspot for us is just what it costs to have the opportunity to stay in touch with friends and Canadian news. I was up at 4am watching election results come in. Just like after a nightmare, It was impossible to get back to sleep!
I have learned a lot about my kids on this trip. For one, they are exceptionally resilient. We've only had one total meltdown, and if we were at home living a regular life, I guarantee we would have had more than that. They have been strong and courageous. They have been good and patient. They have explored and learned, and they have grown. I feel very blessed to have them on the is journey. I know they miss people and things from home, but they truly seem to be doing well. When I told them we'd been on the road for two months, George said, "We just started" and Molly commented that there was no way we were 1/3 done. I think that's good!
I have also enjoyed the month with my father in many ways I didn't expect. I'll admit I had reservations about so much time with someone I usually see a few days per month. Though we've always had a good relationship, and travelled to Switzerland twice before together, I wasn't sure if we'd get under each other's skin. Much to my delight, we've had a fantastic time touring and building memories together. He is very patient with Molly's slow moving mornings, George's constant chatter, and my stubborn ways. He has been exceptionally generous and a fantastic driver on these crazy mountain roads. This time will always be cherished, and we will miss him when we part on Monday.
Home is just a feeling. I think that is why we asked Lydia and Werner if we could use their rustico for the week when we realized we didn't want to stay at the previously booked accommodation. Home can be a long way from "home" if it's a place you can feel comfortable and at rest, and of course, have those you love with you. It's also a place where things are in order, the cupboards have salt and tea in them, there's momentos on the walls, and and a sense of pride in a building, I know Barry hasn't been here, but other than that, this rustico has been a perfect place to transition from our first two months of travel and family time into our next 4 months of continued adventure. Our time here has restored me, which was needed physically after much busyness and emotionally after sad news of my cousin's sudden death. Our days of rock collecting, making paint, painting, stone carving and little walks have been great. We're even caught up on the laundry. (Clean laundry is another greatly appreciated thing on this journey).
That's all I really want to ramble on about today. Below are few photos from the past couple of days.
Throughout this trip some of the things I thought would bother me don't. Such as lack of clothing variety, so few shoes to choose from, and constantly moving from place to place. I brought too much clothing and have left things along the way, and the constant excitement of moving hasn't fatigued me as I had expected. What I wouldn't have guessed would be top of my list on wants while travelling is good internet service. I didn't realize how dependent I'd become on this communication tool, and living without it for even a day seems exceptionally inconvenient. I always feel like I might miss something. Paying about $10 per day is Switzerland to have a data plan on my phone that can create a hotspot for us is just what it costs to have the opportunity to stay in touch with friends and Canadian news. I was up at 4am watching election results come in. Just like after a nightmare, It was impossible to get back to sleep!
I have learned a lot about my kids on this trip. For one, they are exceptionally resilient. We've only had one total meltdown, and if we were at home living a regular life, I guarantee we would have had more than that. They have been strong and courageous. They have been good and patient. They have explored and learned, and they have grown. I feel very blessed to have them on the is journey. I know they miss people and things from home, but they truly seem to be doing well. When I told them we'd been on the road for two months, George said, "We just started" and Molly commented that there was no way we were 1/3 done. I think that's good!
I have also enjoyed the month with my father in many ways I didn't expect. I'll admit I had reservations about so much time with someone I usually see a few days per month. Though we've always had a good relationship, and travelled to Switzerland twice before together, I wasn't sure if we'd get under each other's skin. Much to my delight, we've had a fantastic time touring and building memories together. He is very patient with Molly's slow moving mornings, George's constant chatter, and my stubborn ways. He has been exceptionally generous and a fantastic driver on these crazy mountain roads. This time will always be cherished, and we will miss him when we part on Monday.
Home is just a feeling. I think that is why we asked Lydia and Werner if we could use their rustico for the week when we realized we didn't want to stay at the previously booked accommodation. Home can be a long way from "home" if it's a place you can feel comfortable and at rest, and of course, have those you love with you. It's also a place where things are in order, the cupboards have salt and tea in them, there's momentos on the walls, and and a sense of pride in a building, I know Barry hasn't been here, but other than that, this rustico has been a perfect place to transition from our first two months of travel and family time into our next 4 months of continued adventure. Our time here has restored me, which was needed physically after much busyness and emotionally after sad news of my cousin's sudden death. Our days of rock collecting, making paint, painting, stone carving and little walks have been great. We're even caught up on the laundry. (Clean laundry is another greatly appreciated thing on this journey).
That's all I really want to ramble on about today. Below are few photos from the past couple of days.
We made some Inukshuks in riverbed.
Molly collected rocks then ground them and mixed the dust to make a paint. The owl is for Lydia.
George hiding from the goats as they walk up the mountain past the rustico.
Heidi and Grandpa in the Swiss Alps.
Shortly after this photo, I slipped in the river and got two soakers in glacial-cold water. Grocery shopping was no fun after that.
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