Back in the USA after a fantastic family trip to Thailand and Hong Kong! Lots of updated tips for those long-haul flights- especially after our 15 hour flight to Hong Kong!
But first… some thoughts on why traveling with kids is important…
Today as my 5 year old son looked at my iPhone’s weather application, he said, “Oh, it’s raining in Bangkok today… but it’s still going to be 93 degrees. I bet the rain feels nice for the workers.” (He has a bond with all construction workers worldwide.)
He paused and then thoughtfully added, “Well, actually they are all in bed now since it’s daytime here and nighttime there. They will sleep better with the rain.”
Why travel with kids? My son just answered that question with his statement.
Bangkok, a big city almost on the other side of the world, never meant anything to my 5 year old son prior to this trip. I had shown him photos and talked to him about the wonderful Thai people, but it was only after he experienced firsthand the humidity of Thailand could he appreciate the refreshing effect a rain shower would provide for the construction workers in hot, humid Bangkok.
As he enters the school years, I want him to understand that different is ok. All people are not alike, and there is more to the world than what we see in our home life. Peer pressure is easier to deal with if a child has seen there are more ways than one to do something well. Experiencing life outside of our routine also teaches flexibility and acceptance of other cultures.
We visited Disneyland Hong Kong on this same trip and I smiled as my son was the only Caucasian child enjoying the wonder of Disney amongst all the Asian children. These two little “princess girls” were excitedly speaking Chinese to each other as my son observed the magic of Disney cross international borders!
Travel really does make a difference. The political unrest in Bangkok seems a world away to most, but on our trip we enjoyed the company of both young and old whose families are directly affected by this disruption and unrest. Now when I hear any updates of this political protest, it is not faceless people my heart is heavy for, but instead the kind, warm smiling faces of our friends in Thailand.
In the same way that when my son plays with his friend who was adopted from China, he can now understand her background and appreciate her celebrating the Chinese New Year and learning to speak Chinese. On a domestic level, my 11 year old nephew from rural Minnesota will live with us for 3 weeks this summer -visiting his California cousins. This glimpse of the city life in California will leave a lasting impression on him, just as our trips to the Minnesota farm have been an educational (and impressive) experience for my child.
Travel makes this all possible. Real world experience with sights, smells, feelings, culture, and human interaction is priceless and an education that will last a lifetime for travelers of all ages.
Whether traveling to the other side of the world or to another state or even county, travel allows us to experience how true the saying is… “It’s a small world after all!”
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