The Map of the World

A few years back, while purging the house of assorted detritus, I happened upon a large map of the the world from a 1988 edition of National Geographic. Seemed a shame to toss it, so I put it up on a wall in the laundry room and the kid and I started pining the places we had been -- red for me, blue for her, and yellow for the places we had been together.  Naturally there are quite a few more red pins, but over the years I've taken the kid on a a few cool trips:  a cruise to Alaska, Disney in both California and Florida, Antigua, Egypt, Greece, plus assorted forays across her own country.  She's got the travel bug, that's for sure, and I like to think I gave it to her.

She's now a professional photography student and one requirement of the program is to participate in a two week practicum.  A little work experience project.  I've been hounding the kid for months to get her butt in gear and get something arranged.  At the very least line up a local wedding or portrait photographer to hang out with and learn the ropes of their business.

Nope, not for my kid.  Not gonna happen.  That would be "boring."  Well the luck of the Irish (might as well keep this travel related) seemed to be shining down upon her.  Didn't she find a two week photo tour during the period she needs it, get permission from her course co-ordinator to attend, arrange for the tour guide to mentor her for her practicum, and book flights -- all in three days.  One whole day before the tour closed for reservations.

So in April she heads off on her own for the very first time to...NEW ZEALAND.  She'll spend two weeks traveling the south island with a tour group of eight.  The experience of a lifetime.  Her own Green Jar Adventure. Looks like I might have a little healthy competition.

Just might have to buy some more blue pins.

Book Review:  Richard Wagamese's Indian Horse was a Canada Reads selection in 2013.  If you're not a hockey fan, a great part of the book may bore you. Being a huge hockey fan, I loved it.  And not just the hockey part. It's the story of Saul Indian Horse, an Ojibway raised in the residential school system and it deals with the subject in a sensitive, thought provoking way. It's an eye opening read.