I should probably be focussed on the elation I feel to be up, up, and away—flying through the atmosphere to far-away places. But mostly I’m frustrated that we spend so much energy making sure that our three boys can find a restroom in a timely fashion. Oh, well. International travel is not for the faint-of-heart… or those with small bladders.
And now to the cheap plane tickets. In a few hours, we will fly directly over Vladivostok, Russia, and eventually land in Shanghai, China. There we will stay for two nights… and a day. Then at midnight, we will retrace our steps, flying back to Vladivostok, landing at four-something in the morning.
Why a two-and-a-half-day layover? Why an absurd flight-time? Because that was the cheapest way to get to Vladivostok—and we get to skip paying for a hotel that “night”!
I read once that you can travel like a king if you are willing to be flexible with your schedule. I don’t feel like much of a king with my computer bumping into the seat in front of me, but we’re going where we want to go, doing what we want to do, and every little bit helps.
And now to essential matters. That last post makes it sound like only Holly learns anything. I learn things, too, really, I do. And after four months of travel, into and out of countless hotels, Airbnbs, and the homes of friends, family, and acquaintances, this is what I would like to share:
It matters how we treat each other. It matters a lot. It matters how we treat our friends and our family. It matters how we treat our neighbors and strangers on the street. And it matters how we treat people when we first meet them, as well as when we say goodbye.
The people in our lives are our greatest blessing. And though we are sometimes tired, hungry, or stressed, we need to always and forever find ways to treat those people with generosity, patience, and kindness—because it matters.
on a side note… vladivostock is delightful and be sure to go out to the university. you cross this amazing bridge to get to it – it was built for a big APEC meeting. they have a lot of tributes to peace there. probably make a point to take a boat around the bay and maybe under that gorgeous bridge… xoxoxox
remember – it looks like san francisco – sorta.. and also that it used to be off limits even for many russians to travel to.. oooh spooky!
I thought about this comment all through vladivostok. Finally, from the ballet theater on the other side of the bridge, sun setting through the mist clinging to the sea, I saw what you mean! Beautiful. Quite reminiscent of San Fran. Up close, I’m afraid we had trouble getting past the exhaust and the crumbling infrastructure. There were many beautiful wildflowers though!
“It matters how we treat each other. It matters a lot. It matters how we treat our friends and our family. It matters how we treat our neighbors and strangers on the street. And it matters how we treat people when we first meet them, as well as when we say goodbye.
The people in our lives are our greatest blessing. And though we are sometimes tired, hungry, or stressed, we need to always and forever find ways to treat those people with generosity, patience, and kindness—because it matters.”
I love this. We cannot be reminded of it too often. I think I’ll post this in my office. Thanks.