Well, it definitely got a bit worse before it got better! I realized that the kids had adapted this vacation attitude and that all normal life was thrown to the wayside because this is one big vacation. While that may seem true because we are in so many amazing places, there are still chores to be done, routines to be followed, etc. They also realized that, in an effort to keep them calm and not too noisy around our sometimes precarious neighbor situation, I caved a lot sooner to demands than I normally would. It is certainly tricky parked so closely to other trailers or, worse, imposing on family and/or friends on their street curb and trying not to upset their neighbors. When I realized that I had been doing this I had to put my foot down forcefully for a few days and just deal with the whining/screaming/complaints without caving. It wasn't pretty, but, as a result, the toilet is a LOT cleaner (consequence of poor behavior), the boundaries are a bit firmer and we are getting along a bit better.
It also helps that we are taking some much needed respite in Canada for more than a week as we prepare for the return trip (we do miss home terribly and need to maintain our excitement so the ride and the present moment stay with us). We have not moved the bus in MANY days, have been pampered by "Oma" and "Opa", slept, read stories aloud,
face-painting and music at the open market, played on the playground (and even sent to the playground on their OWN for some autonomy),
beach time, quite a bit of work (both work repairing the bus and actual work) and I have even found myself lounging by the pool a few times! With a BOOK, nonetheless! (I actually feel quite guilty about this and have to remind myself that it is much needed and deserved).
Yes, and there was also a game-changing DATE NIGHT, believe it or not! We snuck out to see the movie VACATION, just to see how similar it is to us (not very, actually, but quite hilarious. We did NOT go to the four corners!). Of course, we paid the price for having the kids out way too late AGAIN (when will we learn?), but the time together belly-laughing, sneaking fro-yo, and watching the sunset over the city was well worth it!
We are very lucky to have so many beautiful people to connect with on this journey. While the Canadians are so friendly overall and we've had some great conversations with some people here, most seem non-plussed by the bus. Maybe this is because they have things like this around here:
A tour bus carrying 24 German and Austrian passengers complete with fold-out kitchen and cots! This vehicle was BA!!! And the crazy part is they were doing a circle similar to what we are doing, but in 22 DAYS!!!!! And I thought our schedule was nuts :)
And there are all kinds of crazy vehicles out here...converted vans, tricked-out cars, Deluxe semis, a tiny home on wheels here, there is even this GIGANTIC Motorhouse with a slide out BALCONY and BIG SCREEN TV!!!! CRAZY! But whether we are not impressive or just hidden in our long-term spot we are down to about one tour a day and the quiet is welcome for a bit :)
One disconcerting thought on my mind as we travel are the amounts of people I see on this coast that are tied to drug abuse. It has lead me into this internal discourse about thrill seeking and what it means. And I feel like it isn't limited to drug abuse or alcohol abuse or anything. It goes way deeper into the apathy and disdain I see from people walking down the street not wishing to be altered from their goal of a bus, cup of Starbucks, spot in line, etc. at the expense of connecting with another human being. It seems to weigh heavily on me lately, especially in terms of what it could mean for my own children. I do not believe it matters who you are or what type of family you come from. And the only thing I've come to in order to prepare my own children to get over this issue of satisfying the desires of "ME, ME, ME" is to contemplate desire, to never be afraid of boredom, never be afraid to sit with themselves and who they are and/or to never run from their problems. I don't know any other way to prepare them for this than meditation. I'll take any advice or anecdotes you care to offer. I guess an odd contemplation from someone avoiding the 9 to 5 lifestyle and driving around the country. But then again, maybe not :)
Lastly, I just want to reflect on how quickly a moment of disapproval or doubt from someone not feeling that we are doing "the right thing" can drain one (me specifically) of all the love and inspiration we have garnered on this bus - the only way I can describe it is like that children's story about "filling my bucket". And then for a few days I let my awful mood color everything and everyone around me. Luckily, it took just the next person stepping onto the bus talking about how happy seeing the bus made them feel to refill that bucket and from here on out I will guard that bucket a bit more closely! Thanks for all the love and positive energy we've been getting from all of you on this journey with us! I hope you've been receiving it back two-fold and we look forward to the next crazy leg of it all :) Keep calm and VonRowdy on!
Canadians tend to be fairly reserved when they meet with something unusual, especially when they think they may be perceived as rude for paying too much attention to it. This is especially the case in Vancouver where we have so much filming going on.
ReplyDeleteWe see celebrities and unusual scenes or situations rather often, and feel it is good manners to not come across as starstruck or intrusive, and that idea extends to interesting people with interesting vehicles as well.
So I'm betting that is the case with the bus; we aren't often asking about it in person, but like me, we are totally checking you out online.
Cheers,
The girl in the tiny house =)