Comments on: Letter to Lucy

By: Ariel Ky

Ariel Ky — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 05:51:01 +0000

I just read the account of how your son nearly got swept off the boat. You must be thankful every minute now that you are home that it didn’t happen. Traveling is an adventure, yes, but it can also become a misadventure in a minute flat. You’re probably experiencing reverse culture shock. I still remember the first time I went through it in 1985 after spending just 10 days in Paris; it was devastating.

Today I’m in the 5th year of my own ten-year trip around the world, presently living and teaching in China. I’ve been working my way as an English teacher, which is my profession. I’m going to Beijing this weekend to climb the Great Wall and on from there for a week in Hong Kong. Next year, I’m planning a return trip to the U.S. to visit my mother, and the summer in Australia. Last year I spent six months in Mongolia, and before I came to China, a year in Andorra in Europe.

By: Still Life in South America

Still Life in South America — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:01:54 +0000

That is a heartbreakingly beautiful post, Dani.

I have been thinking a lot about these descriptions and the personal concept of home. All of our loved items are in storage at the moment. I miss them terribly, but I don’t want to choose between them and traveling someplace new.

I hope you will keep writing. You are very gifted.

By: Cris

Cris — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 03:17:58 +0000

What a beautiful post, Dani.
I dream with the day one of my next round-the-world trips will be with my future kids too.
And I hope you guys continue putting the four of you in more and more frames!

By: kopili

kopili — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:14:03 +0000

You are already home? And I had just begun to follow you guys – it seems just a few weeks back that you were in India, and I’d extended an invitation to come to Hyderabad.
My prediction – you are going to set off someplace soon. Once you get the travelling virus in you, I don’t know if it will ever go away. YOu have to get the fix once in a while.

By: jen

jen — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:41:16 +0000

I have traveled neither as far or as long as your family but I know that both the words travel and amazing seem too simple to cover the experience and what you gain from it. A deeply felt thank you for sharing that with us.

By: Warren McBride

Warren McBride — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:39:18 +0000

Yes – you do run out of words to describe a year of daily adventures.
And yes, you can still feel “unsettled” even when you have been back “home” for a year.
It was a pleasure to follow your adventures.
The McBrides (in Ottawa)

By: Kelly Knowles

Kelly Knowles — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:46:47 +0000

Dear Dani,
As I’m sure you are already aware, your family is amazing. I’m sitting in a hostel in China and checking in on your family via your blog as I do a few times a week. We are on our first RTW trip but this is our second long traveling experience away from home. This particular post compelled me to write on this blog after being an anonymous viewer into your families daily travel life. I want to thank you for proving to me that this vagabonding lifestyle does not eliminate the option of having a family but rather enhances it. Your children are beautiful and although I am only 24, one day I dream of taking my (very future) children to all of the sites I have visited plus so many more. I also wholeheartedly echo your sentiment about returning home. What do people want to hear when they ask “How was it?” They don’t want descriptions of the delicious foreign foods, the quiet everyday event of riding public transportation with people who speak a different language, the changing landscapes or friendly faces you encountered. You say something like “Amazing” and they are satiated but you have so much more to tell, but it’s impossible. Regardless, I hope you all continue to check in with your faithful followers and know that I thoroughly enjoyed your journey.

By: Kim

Kim — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:31:09 +0000

What a lovely post! I have been following your family’s adventures over the past year in anticipation of my own…my sister and I are leaving on our round-the-world trip in September and are trying to soak up everything we love about ‘home’ before we go.

Thank you for sharing…and welcome back!

By: Mike Pugh

Mike Pugh — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:02:54 +0000

Well said.

Here’s wishing you a graceful transition back to “real” life.

By: michele

michele — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:21:42 +0000

I don’t even know you and your words give me chills. I know how it feels to travel for two weeks and come home to those same feelings. I can’t imagine how it would feel after 10 months of travel.
Some of what you feel will never go away. Every thing you do from this point on in your lives will be different. How will you deal with it? Truly amazing.

I have enjoyed following your family this past year. I has been truly a pleasure.

Thank you for sharing with us all.