Voyaging with kids – the key to being welcomed into the hearts and minds of locals across the globe.
We are simply not that far away from home yet. We are still near airports and cars, Costco and yes, even a Home Depot lays in our midst. One could drive from here to our hometown in a matter of a few days.
Soon this will be far in our wake. I think and feel that we have not gone far enough, sailed long enough, seen what I have come to see, whatever that may be. However, regardless of this perceived lack of mileage, we have wandered through numerous interesting, remote and unprivileged (only in an economic sense) communities. Bella Bella, San Quintin, Man of War or San Carlos, all have their charm, their beauty and their poverty. Whether it was a fishing village in Northern BC with a population of children with rampant seafood allergies or the quaint Magdalena Bay, having been just wiped out by a hurricane, we have met people in need.
We have heard the usual, bring pencils, toys, clothing, batteries and fishhooks to give away or trade for local goods. Anything that promotes education and economic revitalization via stimulating local industry or just basic well-being is welcome cargo. [excerpt from aboard Io] Pics – Totem, Io & Oso-Blanco.
The golden experience for travelers is to get off the “tourist” track and experience a meaningful interaction with the local peoples. In truth, they key to opening the door to these interactions is not by buying your entrance with toys, education or the promise of (even meager) financial gain. A sure fire way to open the doors and hearts of locals is the smiling face of a child interacting at the level that all members of society understand. In all our travels, many of our most meaningful interactions with local peoples have been when we’ve been welcomed with open arms – by their children.
I’m not a father. Yet. So I’m no expert. However I count myself thankful to have spent significant time with true experts on world travel and sailing with children. Jamie and Behan Gifford and their three amazing children of Sailing with Totem have co-released their well-received book Voyaging with Kids, which promises to be as entertaining as it is informative.
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