Been there, done that
I’ve been a lot of places.
I used to travel all over the world each summer with 20-40 high school
students. And no, it wasn’t aboard the
Crazy Train J I
was fortunate enough to be a travel leader for a nationwide student travel
organization. When people would ask me
about it, I always gave them the same pat answer: it was a great opportunity,
but certainly was not a vacation. The trips
we took, taken as an individual tourist, would have cost around $4,500. My
students paid around $6,300. I paid
nothing. I will argue that it wasn’t a
free ride, however. I was responsible
for attending meetings all over the eastern Washington, holding interviews
several weekends in a row from Yakima to Wenatchee to Tri Cities, and then
holding 12 hours of meetings with the students throughout the year. Once we were “in the field” I was then a 24-7
chaperone/parent/nurse/tour guide/teacher/best friend. So. It was a great opportunity, but certainly
was not a vacation J
At the start of my 8th travel season, I decided
that I would be done once I returned from the trip that year. It was time to go. And yes.
I’d been there, done that. But
where have I been and what have I done?
I’ve been to the top of a cliff in the Blue Mountains of
Australia to abseil through the eucalyptus trees. But I’ve also learned that sometimes courage
and fear occur simultaneously; as a journey, not a destination.
I’ve been to the Scottish Highlands and helped build the
relationships of a very diverse group of students. But, I’ve also learned that once those bonds
are made, they are not easily broken…even when a curfew is set.
I’ve been aboard a Mercedes coach bus to explore the highlights
of western Europe from Rome to Madrid.
But, I’ve also learned how intense travel, in close quarters, can build
inexplicably close friendships…which you build anyway, even likely knowing it
will only be maintained in your shared memories.
I’ve been welcomed into a Spanish widower’s home and made
use of my high school Spanish education.
But, I’ve also learned that the more I think of how different we are,
the more I discover that we are so very much alike.
I’ve been to, and grown to adore, the classic Italian
city—Firenze—and done the classic Florence things (the David, jewelry on the
Ponte Vecchio). But, I’ve also learned
not to let my guard down—that there are two kind of travelers; those who’ve had
their wallets stolen, and those who have yet to have their wallets stolen.
I’ve been to the foreign grounds my nation calls hallowed,
honoring the final resting place of many of the Greatest Generation. But I’ve also learned they are GREAT to
everyone; honored each day by the generations that still live there.
I’ve been to major world tourist attractions multiple times
and seen them each time with first-time wonder through my students’ eyes. But, I’ve also learned to be in the moment,
to let each moment be new.
I’ve been to lesser known world sites and seen the common
and everyday. But, I’ve also learned
that common can be so very uncommon if you can let go of expectations and let
it.
I’ve been there, done that.
And I can’t wait to do it again.
© 2016, Michelle Hall
