Trip to the Fatherland

It's almost time to try and get some sleep. We are just over 3 hours into a 7 hour flight and I just wanted to capture some thoughts and impressions first and then I can mail this in when we land. I have blogged when I have traveled before. It is what I think of as a virtual postcard to those people I have left behind and may be interested in what I am doing and seeing. But I admit I thought long and hard about blogging on this adventure. Will I have time? Will any of it be of any interest to anyone? How much will I censor based on the fact my traveling companion may read this in the future! Lol!

As a lot of you know I am traveling with my Dad. We are going to the country of his birth. Just him and I on a trip that has been long intended and never fulfilled until now. Hence the title of the post and its double meaning! I think my husband coined the phrase Fatherland first, but it works and I like it! (Thank you hon!)

So far we are less then 12 hours into our trip and there have been some learnings already. For example, I have learned my father is actually a very easy going traveling companion. If you detect some surprise in that statement, you would not be wrong. I actually did not know what to expect. Somehow it has been easier for me to picture what a trip with my Mom would look like as opposed to a trip with my Dad. Why that is? I can't really answer, but there it is. I didn't know what to expect and what I have learned about this part of the trip is Dad is pretty easy to travel with! We sailed through the Toronto traffic and the airport lineups without an impatient word and quite a few giggles to be honest. I am not sure where he acquired the patience he has exhibited as it is not what I remember from traveling with him as a child, but he has and I appreciate it. I also learned that he is quite happy playing his sudoku and leaving me to read or type or whatever. And he also seems to like to talk randomly to complete strangers and engage them in conversation and make them laugh. Who knew? All this is interesting for me because I realize now I rarely see him outside of small family gatherings and those circumstances are quite different from the circumstances of today.

I also learned some things about myself today. I walk too fast. I often talk too fast. I definitely eat too fast and I am always in a hurry! Somewhat of a Tasmanian devil from Looney Tunes even. Hmmmm... Who knew that too? And my Dad? Well, my Dad is ... S L O W... and methodical ... and precise. And he really can't be hurried no matter how often you sigh, tap your toes or say "we gotta go Dad"! Well, at least when there is no apparent reason to hurry! Lol! So, this should be interesting!

Maybe, just maybe, I will learn to slow down and my Dad will learn to stop talking long enough to finish his meal in a timely manner so we can move on to the next thing? Stay tuned, as this remains to be seen! ;-). Getting sleepy now so I am thinking this is a good place to stop contemplating the day and say ttyl!

Be safe. Be well. Hugs!
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network