Sunday, February 26, 2006

Bon Voyage Party

A combination Bon Voyage and 40th birthday party! What a wonderful way to start off our vacation. Last night, almost all of my, Zachary’s and Maya’s friends were on hand to wish us well on our journey. Our friend Michelle even flew in from Maryland for the event. Although we received some wonderful gifts (the scotch and cigars were particularly good), the evening was a testament to my dictum that it is not things that are important but it’s the people you interact with and the experiences that you share that give life its spice; material things are impermanent. At one point, the conversation turned to the individual who recently won the $365 million powerball lottery. While we need enough money to keep our family healthy, educated, sheltered, and clothed, I really don’t think winning that kind of money would make me any happier. While I can’t complain, I am after all able to take my family to Peru without great personal sacrifice, it was quite apparent last night that I already have all I need. The party was so fun simply because each of the guests were good friends and good people so that even though the attendees were drawn from different social groups, everyone got on like a wild fire. I am truly blessed. Even Sugar Magnolia got so much attention it was almost impossible for her to maintain her typical feline expression of haughty disdain.

The Sponge Bob bouncer was a huge hit with the vertically challenged guests. Almost every time I went down there, there was a pile of boys with a shirtless Max somewhere in mix. I barely saw the kids all night although Maya did make the rounds getting signatures from each of the adults in her autograph book. One of the things I’m looking forward to on the trip will be the opportunity to just spend time with the kids without the distraction of work that needs to be finished or errands that need to be run. Next step packing and then we are off. Although I know we’re going to miss Mary horribly; we are ready for the adventure. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy the day: when people tell me to have a nice day, as they are wont to do, I always reply that they all are (after all, it's really your choice).

Friday, February 17, 2006


Maya and Zak at Mono Lake Posted by Picasa

Escape From Reality

The questions are usually the same. Why Peru? Do you have family there? Two and a half months? I explain that I want to get the kids away from the TV and the gamecube for a couple of months and expose them to another culture, "besides we want to learn to speak Spanish" I can hear myself reply. This is clearly not a typical family vacation but then we are not a typical family. Don't I realize that the kids are going to miss the TV and the game cube? That they are going to have a tough time finding friends since they don't know the language? Wouldn't Disneyland be more practical? Certainly. But I am confident this is an experience they will come to appreciate down the line. It's sort of like the decision to have a second child so the first doesn't become too spoiled. Essentially, what one is saying to the first kid when they make such a decision is that we are going to make you miserable but you will be better off in the long run. Other questions come up, aren't you worried about getting sick, missing your wife, finding an apartment, finding a school, etc., etc. The implication behind many of these questions is that we must be crazy, as one friend said, "I don't even like to take my kids to the airport." However, the answers to all of these questions and concerns basically boils down to the same answer: that life is not a passive activity; that an occasional escape from the comforts of our daily reality only enhance our appreciate of that reality; that the infusion of the old Wahoo won't keep one from dying but that, to paraphrase Thoreau, when it comes time to die we will not have discovered that we have not lived.

So the decision has been made, plane tickets have been purchased, passports have been renewed, shots have been taken, and home schooling materials have been collected. What will follow here will be some reflections on our experiences. We're posting this material not because we think that everyone wants to hear the intimate details of our lives but because we have friends, family, and loved ones who want to keep up with our travels and travails. You are welcome to follow along on our adventures if you like.