andofftheywent

[andofftheywent]

At long last, I have published my book! 

And Off They Went: One family’s journey around the world chronicles our 18-month trip to 54 countries on six continents. Available for Kindle or as a paperback on amazon.com and amazon.ca. Woohoo!

[andofftheywent]

Hello? Is anyone still here? I turned this blog into a book that I’ll be self-publishing later in Spring 2020. Until then, I will be posting snippets on Instagram @revellinit. A little armchair-travel to escape the COVIDystopia. 

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[andofftheywent]

After travelling for 18 months, I think we’re going to stop.

We arrived in Canada on August 1st and three days later, we decided to stay. We had never really planned to land on Vancouver Island, but Nanaimo is where we are settling for the next year. Now comes the re-normalizing of our lives: registering for school, getting jobs, buying a car, buying jeans, scouting out coffee shops, wine bars, and local playgrounds. We’ll buy jars of mustard and olive oil and not have to throw out two-thirds of a jar. We’ll buy stuff to keep in a freezer and staples like flour and sugar, things I haven’t bought for over a year. We’ll buy plants and back-to-school supplies and car insurance. Even writing these things down seems weird.

When we left San Francisco in February 2018, I figured it would take about a month to calibrate ourselves to a completely new way of living as full-time travellers. As it turned out, that shift took more like three months and followed us through five countries. I expect the same will be true of this recalibration to a stationary life. It will take time to establish some new routines, to ground ourselves in a new community, and figure out how to *not* be around each other 24 hours a day. In over a year, we haven’t spent more than two weeks in a single location and now we have no upcoming flights. Our passports will go into a drawer and our suitcases will go in a closet.

I can’t imagine that we have very many followers left on this blog but to the persistent few who continue to wonder where we are, this is the end of our journey. There is a non-zero chance that we will return to life as full-time travellers but it won’t be for awhile. Thank you for following our adventure.

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We are here.

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We’ve only eaten two of these Canadian animals.

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We put the kid on a float plane to Vancouver Island, then went for lunch and a long walk. It’s Pride weekend, so: fireworks, parade and so many street parties.

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We are here.

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Airport playground meditation.

(We’re learning about sloths. #worldschooling)

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“They’re all over me! Get them off! Get them off!”

OR

“A baby can totally be a football— see, watch.”

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My unscientific collection of observational data would have me believe that there are more Teslas per capita in Norway than in California. Teslas everywhere. Must be one sweet government incentive.

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Another hot day meant a dip in Sørenga sea baths. This urban “beach” was absolutely packed on Sunday; the water was desperately refreshing.

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Oslo opera house: the perfect place for a late afternoon glass of champagne.

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“Leave it!”

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Saturday was so hot here- 32C. So Emil and I took the metro to Sognsvann for a swim in the lake. A few other people had the same idea. With all the families and picnics and sunshine, it was like a party.

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We are here.

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Interview with Emil, 14

Q: Where are we right now?

A: 8:02... wait, Norway. Don’t ask me more questions.

Q: What did you have for breakfast?

A: A chocolate croissant.

Q: What is your favorite thing about traveling?

A: Going to Lego House. And trains. I especially like meeting up with friends.

Q: How do you feel right now?

A: Fine. I don’t really like traveling right now.

Q: What does Beaver think about traveling?

A: He thinks it’s fine. Ask this new guy! [Stuffed toy seal.]

Q: Okay, what does new guy think of travel?

A: He hasn’t decided yet. He’s never even been on a plane!