We’re in Amsterdam right now and just hours away from catching our flight home to Halifax. These past 2 days have been a chance for us to prepare for our trip home, but also an opportunity to reflect on the amazing journey which has now come to an end. Following are some personal insights that we’ve each gained from travelling around the world as a family.
Kai
What I gained from this trip as a person…. The first thing I gained from this trip was realizing how lucky we are to live in Canada and have fresh water that we can get from our sink. Another one was to realize that everybody in the world does not live like us and that I am so thankful for where we live in Canada.
A really cool thing was getting to feed a grown Thai Elephant up close and seeing all the animals in Africa. This trip has made me and Vea come closer as brother and sister but sometimes a bit hard to be together all the time. I have also realized that I have the best Mom and Dad in the world.
It was amazing getting to meet so many people along the way. To sum it all up I would say that it was an amazing journey and that I am so grateful that we were able to do this.
Vea
I am thankful for where we live and to know that some places in the world people live in tin or wood shacks for their house. I have had different experiences this year and will have new respect for people working really hard. For example, people who make jewellery work really hard to make one little thing. I am also thankful to have friends and family that love me and don’t care what colour I am or what differences we have from each other.
Kari
While travelling we’ve equally appreciated the places we’ve seen as much as the genuine people we’ve met along the way who have enriched our journey in so many ways. A smile is an international language with no borders expressing so many emotions – like gratitude, sadness, approval, and pride of place. We have been fortunate to see and share in so many of these smiles from all different cultures. Some of the most meaningful smiles came from people that had so little but were so happy. They will stick with me forever.
Now we’re so excited to be going home to see all of our wonderful friends and family and all of their smiling faces. I have so much gratitude for the year we have had on this world journey and I’m also so thankful for having such a loving home and community to come back to!
Away has been incredible but home is best!
Norrie
Last December a good friend of mine sent me a link to a short film that conveyed a simple but powerful message of “celebrating what’s right with the world”. That message has resonated with me the entire year that we’ve been travelling around the world as a family. We’ve seen a lot of things that are wrong with the world – like poverty, pollution, and discrimination. But we’ve also seen so much more that is right with the world – like the kindness of strangers, the beauty of nature and the diversity of cultures. This amazing away4now journey has been a unique opportunity to celebrate the world and to share incredible ‘wow-now’ experiences with the loves of my life. I’ll forever be grateful for the time we’ve had this past year to make so many memories.
It looks like you guys had a great time! I cant wait for you guys to get home!
Norrie,
Thank you for visiting. As you say about diversity, may we preserve and value the diversity of cultures – hold it in as high a value as we look upon the beauty and diversity of a rainforest.
Shawn
thanks so much for sharing your journey with us Norrie and family. Our whole family appreciated the photos and stories and can’t thank you enough for letting us in.
Regrettably we’re now going to make you relive every moment as you retell it to us over and all of your friends over and over again 🙂 Seriously though it will be great to have you back 🙂
Norriw, Kari, Kai and Vea,
Yes… Thanks for letting us in, is right!
Being able to follow your journeys through your posts and photos this past years has truly been amazing.
To read Kai and Vea’s “…everybody in the world does not live like us and that I am so thankful for where we live in Canada.” and my FAV. “I am also thankful to have friends and family that love me and don’t care what colour I am or what differences we have from each other.”… literally made my heart smile. Very touching!
You both are one of “the best Mom and Dad in the world”. Cannot wait to see you all back home again!
Hugs to you all and safe travels on your journey back home xxx
Norrie, happy to hear that you and your family had what sounds (and looked) like an amazing, unforgettable and very educational adventure. Thanks very much for sharing it with us. Safe travels, happy holidays and welcome home.
A bonding family journey and unbelievable memories. Well done and welcome back.
Love xoxo
Welcome home to Canada the land of the free…congratulations on your adventure around the world, no books could teach you all what you achieved first hand. So many wonderful memories and beautiful pictures, Merry Christmas.
Ps I hope you told Santa you are home…:)
I will miss your blog updates
Bonita
We have all enjoyed your posts and pictures from all around the world. Thank you for sharing this wonderful trip with all of us. Enjoy Christmas at home! LOVE