“Wow, that’s awesome!” “What a great idea.” “You’re so lucky.”

Followed by:

“How many kids do you have?” “Are you taking ALL of them?” “What’s happening to your house while you’re gone?” “What a bummer for your dogs…”

Completed with:

“I could never do that!” “You people are insane…” “I’m so glad I’m not doing that!”

Well, recently, we met a family that didn’t have any of those comments or questions! Through the connected world we live in, a friend in New York e-introduced us to a family in Seattle who has 4 children of similar ages, and departing for a trip around the world for a year at the end of July! So much for being original… But, even better, what suitcases did they choose?!

Seriously, what are the odds? We’ve already begun comparing notes, concerns and itineraries; and the families are getting together in a couple of weeks for a BBQ. There are lots of people and families that have embarked on this kind of adventure before us, but it’s still not really mainstream. To find another family on a similar program and at pre-trip stage is really cool, and I think a very good omen for us all!

After doing a huge amount of research, getting quotes from a few travel agents and AWT companies, reading AWT newsletters and talking to lots of others who have globe trotted before us, we settled on AirTreks as our booking agent. Justin out of South Africa has been a joy to work with, and put up with several months of inquiries, estimates, itinerary-what-ifs and lots of questions.

Scary and exhilarating all at the same time, this particular step (and precipitous drop in our bank account) makes it all very much more real!