It's just that the last 19 and a half months (no, not a sexy romp starring Mickey Rourke) we have not had one.
Unless you count going to the supermarket. And, no, I don't count that.
The next thing I think of when I think of 'family holidays' is that part of National Lampoons European Vacation:
Russ: Dad, I think he's gonna pork her
Clark: He's not gonna pork her, Russ.
Russ: No dad, really, look!
Clark: OK, he may pork her now finish your breakfast.
Yes, dammit, I have seen that movie probably 100 times and I love that part! Tee hee!
The truth is, I grew up a very lucky girl in a very close family and my parents took my brother and I on many family holidays - around Victoria, Australia, across the USA, around Europe (in a campervan).
Now we were not rich and I know my parents sacrificed many things so we could take these trips (you don't have to tell me how lucky I am). We went around Europe for 2 months and did rough it quite a bit. I think there's a story about how we only ate plain spaghetti for 3 days in a row. I don't remember this and I still like spaghetti, so I don't think it damaged me too badly.
There are a lot of vague memories that I can't quite remember all of: seeing a monkey in a cage in a supermarket, the smell of the oil on the ferry, buying bright green nail polish at a market for 50p, making Lego men 'ice-skate' on the table while my dad drove the campervan around Europe.
I do remember chatting some old ladies up on a ferry to Greece and they offered me a piece of Toblerone and I said no thanks, thinking it was poisoned.
You know, if I had taken that piece of Toblerone and they HAD poisoned me, then I wouldn't be here telling my tale.
My brother was apparently looking through my mother's travel diary a few weeks ago and it said "Sharnee was not afraid of talking to Negroes". Um, ok (apologies for my mother's inappropriateness, it was quite a while ago).
Now we were not rich and I know my parents sacrificed many things so we could take these trips (you don't have to tell me how lucky I am). We went around Europe for 2 months and did rough it quite a bit. I think there's a story about how we only ate plain spaghetti for 3 days in a row. I don't remember this and I still like spaghetti, so I don't think it damaged me too badly.
There are a lot of vague memories that I can't quite remember all of: seeing a monkey in a cage in a supermarket, the smell of the oil on the ferry, buying bright green nail polish at a market for 50p, making Lego men 'ice-skate' on the table while my dad drove the campervan around Europe.
I do remember chatting some old ladies up on a ferry to Greece and they offered me a piece of Toblerone and I said no thanks, thinking it was poisoned.
You know, if I had taken that piece of Toblerone and they HAD poisoned me, then I wouldn't be here telling my tale.
My brother was apparently looking through my mother's travel diary a few weeks ago and it said "Sharnee was not afraid of talking to Negroes". Um, ok (apologies for my mother's inappropriateness, it was quite a while ago).
Now that you have seen my brother and I "voguing" in front of the Colosseum, let's never mention it again.
I guess, the point I am trying to make in all this reminiscent haze is the fact that I consider these old family vacations not just to be 'vacations' but something that's made me ME.
Yeah it sounds lame.
I think that a childhood of family vacations (if we are talking camping 30 mins from our house or seeing famous art in the Louvre) paved the way for me exploring the world by myself. These are the times that I treasure and that I have continued to seek ever since.
When I think about vacations now I think about how different life is and how we're shackled to this city with two rambunctious toddlers. Right now, I can't imagine ever being able to take vacations. Or even being able to afford it.
However, I do know there will (hopefully) be opportunities to go places and do things with our boys in the future. And I really look forward to those times.
Our family is still quite new and I shouldn't try to rush things, right?
I just hope that I can pave an adventurous path for my kids that was paved for me. Trust me, it leads to exciting places, kiddos!
PS: George or Julius. If you ever go to Japan (I don't mind, it's pretty freaking ace), please don't marry a Japanese girl and stay there forever. My heart might break! Well, ok, if you must then just make sure you send me the odd Swimmer goods. That will make mamma happy.
Somehow, I have found myself a Kidspot Top 50 Blogger and in the running to win a trip to Dunk Island. In my tendency to create my own similes I likened this to just being a normal person and finding yourself on a rocket to the moon with a bunch of professional astronauts.
Like, seriously, look at those other guys!
Anyway if you would like to vote for me, you can do so here (there's no need to join or subscribe).
That is the coolest travel picture ever! WAY better than those lame shots of people pushing the leaning tower of Pisa. Who vogues by the Colosseum? Awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteHahahah, you're right!
ReplyDeleteI dont even know if voguing was invented then? But I guess my parents said "pose" and we took it a bit literally! xx
I can't vote. I see a "vote for me" button but it doesn't work for me!
ReplyDeleteKathryn: Hmm, weird!
ReplyDeleteI voted already!
ReplyDeleteEloise
I voted!
ReplyDelete:-)
National Lampoons = mega awesomeness x infinity.
ReplyDeleteOh, and you were one lucky little kid!
Too too too funny! Thanks for the crack up this morning. The voguing is priceless. Good luck in the comp. And I promise that in a year's time, you won't feel so shackled. Make that a year and a half's time :)
ReplyDeleteThat is the coolest travel picture ever! WAY better than those lame shots of people pushing the leaning tower of Pisa. Who vogues by the Colosseum? Awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteI voted!
ReplyDelete:-)
Too too too funny! Thanks for the crack up this morning. The voguing is priceless. Good luck in the comp. And I promise that in a year's time, you won't feel so shackled. Make that a year and a half's time :)
ReplyDelete