We’re changing continents for the second time. It’s travel day, well, it’s day two of travel day and I’ve been awake for more hours than I care to count with fewer hours of sleep than I should admit to, but here we are. We’re on a super nice flight with who knows how many hours left, there are so few passengers on board that everyone has their own row and most are sleeping right now. For the record, they’re the smart ones. But for some reason I just wanted to write a blog.
So here it goes; some fun tidbits of information and fun little things I’ve learned along the way. Well, that’s where I hope this goes, as always, I guess we’ll see what happens.
As we’re headed not only to Asia, but into Month Seven, many of us can’t help but remember that PVT (Parent Vision Trip), the one opportunity we have to see and work alongside our parents on this eleven month mission, is right around the corner. Seriously, if continents were semesters in school, they really do just fly by faster and faster. Part of me has no idea where Africa went, but yesterday we waved goodbye to Cape Town and Johannesburg as we sang Shakira and the Lion King for the final time in their appropriate continent.
Anyway, I recently had the opportunity to speak with a World Race parent who we happened to meet on an Adventure day and he asked us a question that stuck with me. He was standing in a group of us and he asked, “so how many of you had a problem packing up your life in a backpack for a year?”
There was a moment of pause where I was tempted to laugh because no one raised their hand. And he nodded to himself as if he’d proven a point, “yeah, you guys are crazy. Normal people aren’t okay with that.”
One of the first things you’ll learn on the Race as any Racer will tell you, is to avoid comparison. But I’ve also learned that I get so caught up in my own little world sometimes that I forget this isn’t a normal thing to do. Well, maybe I remembered that one a little too well, but seriously. Most people probably do find it hard to say goodbye to all of their possessions for a year, to say goodbye to their comfort zone for a year, friends and family.
Honestly when I think back, the goodbyes were hard, but I always knew I was walking toward something incredible, a learning experience I’d never want to trade. The memories from which and the personal growth that would come out of an incubator like this, it’s priceless.
When I was considering the Race my mind went more to the “why not’s” than the “why in the first place’s.” I already know it’s probably going to be harder for me to go home and try to figure out Month Twelve where people already know me and have certain expectations of me than it was to go on the Race in the first place.
I don’t know what it’s going to look like when I go home. Honestly I can’t even predict how God will work in the lives of people who he hasn’t called to go on a trip like this. But one thing I can say; everyone is called to their own Race. This growth I’m experiencing should be how the Church looks all the time. And I know some of you look at my blog and would say that what I’m doing and some of the more specific things on the Race that I’ve already done, that’s crazy.
Well I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but if you’re as all in with God as he wants you to be, it’s going to be even crazier than this ride I’m on. Hey look at that, it wasn’t so bad bursting that bubble after all.
Fun Things I’ve Learned About Traveling and the Race In General
If you find that your water bottle still has water in it right before you go through security, drink it, don’t toss it; you’ll be grateful later.
As convenient as it is to dehydrate yourself on travel days so as to avoid needing those frequent bathroom stops, your body really is much happier with fluids and will punish you later.
Obviously anything bought in an airport is going to cost about ten times more than anywhere else that product could be sold on the planet, but if you see Pop Tarts after six months of no Pop Tarts, expect to make an investment.
Adding on to that, have grace with yourself for what you actually need on travel days.
Portable chargers, though heavy, are always a yes.
Contact Mom when you can.
It really is surprising to learn that decent wifi in different time zones may turn into carrying on three different conversations via text simultaneously. As opposed to the one text at a time conversations you’ve been trying to maintain for the past few months.
Emirates really is a nice airline, but I might recommend Etihad over them.
Unless the flight or bus is empty, don’t expect to get much sleep at all. I’m sure this is already pretty well known.
Everything is subject to change. Everything. The sooner you make your peace with that, the better.
Thor Ragnarok was more than worth the 2.5 hours. I may invest another 2.5 when I finish writing this and have me a Pop Tart.
Traveling is much more enjoyable with a lighter bag.
When flying, it isn’t unusual for one foot to swell up more than the other. Though I’ve been told if you injure one foot the day before the flight, it has a high likelihood of swelling up more than usual. I can confirm that this does happen. Not sure how often, but it can occur.
There’s more. There always is, but I’ll leave it at that for now.
Later y’all,
TL
