http://www.sixintheworld.com/2006/10/31/xian-the-black/ Andrus family travel round the world, rtw with 4 kids? Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:15:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 http://www.sixintheworld.com/2006/10/31/xian-the-black/comment-page-1/#comment-2691 Sixintheworld.com - It’s my world! No, it’s my world… » Not 25 Vacations Strung Together: Our Top 6 Goals for the Trip Tue, 30 Jan 2007 14:34:41 +0000 http://sixintheworld.com/2006/10/31/xian-the-black/#comment-2691 [...] Status - I would grade us a A- on this one. During our time in Australia and New Zealand we didn’t make much progress on this goal, but traveling around China, Southeast Asia and now India we have given ourselves much more opportunity to learn this lesson. We have met people from all over the world, we have made friends with locals and travelers alike. We have had to be comfortable and supportive in situations where people think differently, where people look differently, and where people’s goals and opportunities are radically different from our own. We have also gained a much greater understanding of the day to day reality of people in multiple countries which are much less fortunate than our own. We have been surprised how small things can make a big difference. Small amounts of money can make huge differences in people’s lives. Small acts of friendship can go a long way. For example, it has been hard on Asher as her blond hair gets her noticed everywhere we go. In some countries she has been such a novelty that we’ve had to plan extra time just to get from point A to point B because so many people want to take their picture with her. As a family we decided to not get angry or dismissive, but rather to indulge people’s curiosity, smile, and allow them to pull Asher or the boys into their pictures. We learned how letting people practice their English on us helps prepare them for a better future. I have been proud of the kids’ reactions to situations where we have to think about others. We’ve discussed many of the world’s major problems, such as pollution, poverty, sickness, lack of employment and education, and health issues. We’ve exposed them to people and ideas that are trying to fix these problems. Hopefully our actions will back up our discussions and the seeds we are planting today will grow into action as our children continue to grow. [...] [...] Status – I would grade us a A- on this one. During our time in Australia and New Zealand we didn’t make much progress on this goal, but traveling around China, Southeast Asia and now India we have given ourselves much more opportunity to learn this lesson. We have met people from all over the world, we have made friends with locals and travelers alike. We have had to be comfortable and supportive in situations where people think differently, where people look differently, and where people’s goals and opportunities are radically different from our own. We have also gained a much greater understanding of the day to day reality of people in multiple countries which are much less fortunate than our own. We have been surprised how small things can make a big difference. Small amounts of money can make huge differences in people’s lives. Small acts of friendship can go a long way. For example, it has been hard on Asher as her blond hair gets her noticed everywhere we go. In some countries she has been such a novelty that we’ve had to plan extra time just to get from point A to point B because so many people want to take their picture with her. As a family we decided to not get angry or dismissive, but rather to indulge people’s curiosity, smile, and allow them to pull Asher or the boys into their pictures. We learned how letting people practice their English on us helps prepare them for a better future. I have been proud of the kids’ reactions to situations where we have to think about others. We’ve discussed many of the world’s major problems, such as pollution, poverty, sickness, lack of employment and education, and health issues. We’ve exposed them to people and ideas that are trying to fix these problems. Hopefully our actions will back up our discussions and the seeds we are planting today will grow into action as our children continue to grow. [...]

]]> http://www.sixintheworld.com/2006/10/31/xian-the-black/comment-page-1/#comment-358 Stacy in WA Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:08:04 +0000 http://sixintheworld.com/2006/10/31/xian-the-black/#comment-358 Just wait until the touts and tuk tuk drivers in Agra, India... the worst in the world, I kid you not!! But hey, India is the most fascinating and best place I've ever been to... Just wait until the touts and tuk tuk drivers in Agra, India… the worst in the world, I kid you not!! But hey, India is the most fascinating and best place I’ve ever been to…

]]> http://www.sixintheworld.com/2006/10/31/xian-the-black/comment-page-1/#comment-357 Sandy Tue, 31 Oct 2006 11:23:31 +0000 http://sixintheworld.com/2006/10/31/xian-the-black/#comment-357 Ouch! Condolences! What a loss! And yes, I am serious! Ouch! Condolences! What a loss! And yes, I am serious!

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