Or, the Curving Path to Chile
Months in the making. The family plans, researches, packs, and deals with things like work and school to prepare for a bit more than 2 months in Latin America. Mix in some Christmas with our Washington family, nice diversions around town on cross country skis, gathering old and new gear, and anticipation for the flight south.
Years in the making. The long planned, “long family trip” to set out on before the kids were true teenagers with teenage attitudes took a lot of brewing. Almost 20 years ago when Tracie and I returned from our own “legendary” almost 2-yr long trip teaching and travelling in Africa, we vowed to return in 5 years. That became 10 years, and longer. We had kids and then thought we would return to Zimbabwe, which we loved so much, after they grew up a bit. Not now tho. But now was the time to come. Miles entered teen-land a few weeks before Christmas and is showing plenty of signs of really knowing everything—as he assure
s me is his job. So it seems we made it just in time. Yes, then there was the saving money part--for years indeed.Building a business up for the last 15 years to a point where I could mostly disappear for 9 weeks also took a long time. Well I did disappear a bit in the first few years, when expenses were low and work was still building, but that too has changed. The buz has now 3 employees besides me and I am grateful that they are keeping it all going now.
Then there was the school window. Lily is still in elementary school—her last year, in 5th grade now. No problem slipping out for the winter there. Miles decided to try home schooling this year in prep for being away—and managed to conveniently miss that awkward 7th grade year at middle school. Eighth grade would have been a whole different thing to drop out of for that long—the last year pre high school for both school and friend
preparedness.We bought the plan tix way back in August or so, before the US economy started its rapid melting. Ticket prices were going up back then, and of course later they dropped. Never thought of changing course tho. This was and remains the time.
Panama City is the Prelude to the Prelude as Panama is the “chill” prelude to Chile, where we are headed for most of the time away. And the stay on Caribbean next is the real prelude. We are checking out the history and sights around the city such as the Panama Canal and the Miraflores Locks for 4 days before we are able to use the house on the Caribbean that Tracie found on the internet. It was booked up to Jan 3 and the kidz had 2 weeks off at the Holidays that we did not want to all slip by without us being on the road.
A nice hotel near the water with a pool and luckily a room on the 15th floor with bay view has been fine to us. Mucho fireworks last night—but not enough explosions (ie as loud as a real war) to wake Lily up! Off to Isla Taboga for the day tomorrow.
Nice different type f New Years Day!
