“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
Traveling makes my heart happy. The only thing that could make me happier in regards to traveling is having all the money in the world to do it. This month I asked our RYE kiddos what they would do with one full week or weekend and all the money they wanted in their respective countries. Now, for your reading pleasure:
Felice: If I had one full weekend, plenty of money, and no plans in my host country, I would travel to Cartegena. I was so lucky to stay there for two days in November, and now I want to go back for more. The architecture, streets, and beaches are absolutely gorgeous, and I would love to learn more about them. I would also sign up for a dancing class, because Cartegena seems like a good place to learn how to dance. I remember people playing music on the streets in Plaza Santo Domingo, which reminded me of New Orleans. Except, New Orleans accompanied by really cool dancing.
Ruthie: If I had a full weekend and no worries, in my current country I would travel to where all my fellow inbound friends were and just spend the entire weekend with all of them again.
Sofia: I would fund the construction of highways in Romania (far in advance of my week) so that I could rent a car and drive all over the country. Seriously, there is so much to see. I think I'd also like to visit different farmlands, where people produce wine or own livestock or where they grow really amazing apples (best I've ever had. Also amazing home-made apple juice). The people in the countryside have been here for centuries working the land, and that's an aspect of Romania that I'd like to see and experience more of!
Davíd: I would go to Orlando and visit the parks.
Serena and Chawin’s were amusing to say the least! Here’s that exchange:
Chawin: Eat tons of food!!
Me (Ashley): That doesn’t surprise me at all
Chawin: Shocking
Serena: Go skiing, eat food, go around the country!!
Me: I may have to extend the time for you Serena. Def gonna take longer than a weekend to do that!
Serena: Shoot, I read week
Chawin: Just go but no coming back
Serena: Then just like Schwinn – Fooooooddd.
Serena’s real answer: I’d pick up a good book and start reading. But I know I would also put on some good music and start drawing or meditating. Essentially I would take time for myself, trying to forget about the world, worries and due dates.
Chawin’s real answer: If I have tons of money and plenty of time, I would take my family to go on a tour to the place where we have never been, eat what we have never eaten (tons of food), see what we have never seen, and take pictures and videos!
My answer - fly my family and friends to Hawaii, go deep sea fishing, swim with the dolphins, hula dance, try to surf, enjoy a luau under the full moon with a full belly while enjoying Hawaiian drinks with pineapples. I would find where they film the new Hawaii Five-0 and give Steve and Danno big ole’ hugs. I would hike the trails in the National Park to the hot springs and soak. Gosh, there’s so much I would do! But above all else, I would make sure everyone, especially my girls, enjoyed every last second of travel before heading back home.
I hope these kiddos continue to explore their current countries with the time they have left; dream of all the good they can do and discover what they are capable of because we all know they’re going to do great things one day. Until next month…