Istanbul

On our way to Uganda we had a 24 hour lay over in Istanbul. We opted to go into the city for a short visit, knowing that time would be more rest and recharge. Exploring the city with the girls would come on the return leg of our journey, when we would  spend 3 days in the city. Amara and I did walk to the Grand Bazar, since it was so close to our house and she did try some chestnuts, while Havana was sound asleep in the room. But mostly we took it easy during that short stay.

I won’t go much into how our bags were delayed by Turkish Airlines going and coming to Uganda. At least going we got them the next day. On the way home, well, we picked them up at the airport the day we were heading home. The no clothing, no personal items except what was in our day packs gave us permission to go shopping in Istanbul. Shopping was on the girls radar from the minute we started planning but we did not think we would have to do that much retail tourism!

The second day there (we were also delayed hours getting there so we lost the first day), we went to Ikalal Street. I had missed that one my visit in 2023 so it was a chance to do something new together. We walked the street for 6 hours! If we did not make all the stops we did, including getting Amara a veggie burger (which was delish), the girls getting haircuts and going into countless stores, we could have walked the full length in an hour. But, we did make all the stops. The goal was to get to the end, where there was the Galata Bridge so Havana and I could get the famous fish sandwiches (which I had missed out last time too so it would be another shared new experience). Amara got her lunch, while Havana and I’s tummy’s grumbled louder and louder as the day wore on. But we were determined to wait. Being able to quality clothing, at very good prices including jeans that actually fit there 5’2” and 5’3” little selves, was worth the stopping. We also picked up some souvenirs for friends and family, and a few for ourselves. The day was a bit cool but with the sun shining on us and the careless street that eventually turned cobblestone, it made a fun and productive day. When we finally got our fish sandwiches, it was well worth the wait. Havana and I are still talking about “the best fish sandwiches.”

After all that walking and shopping, Havana opted to chill in our room later that afternoon, while Amara and I went for a Turkish Bath. I had explained how it worked but she was still a bit surprised, shy maybe and unsure. But we were put in a room together and it made for a very special mom and daughter experience. 

On our third day, we planned for cultural experiences. We visited the Sofia and Blue Mosque and went back to the Grand Bazaar. There were many more things we could have done but walking the streets casually, stopping in some smaller mosques and walking the narrow streets,seemed enough for us. Amara and I went back to see the Blue Mosque that night, it was 10 minutes walking from our hotel, and that was well worth the easy effort. (Havana needed time to recoup by herself.)

Both girls were very respectful of their cultural visits, buying scarfs to cover their heads. Scarfs that took a long time to find because they had to get ‘the right one.’ And they did choose well!

In Istanbul there are many, many stray and housed cats that are well cared for. That was a highlight, to see all the cats. Havana, our cat whisperer many some new feline friends and both got matching t-shirts with cats on it. (And of course, they were sleek and fashionable for teens to wear!)

By the time we headed back to the airport to go home, I think we were ready to go leave. We had a long flight ahead of use and we were ready to go home and rest before resuming our school and work lives. The girls overall were great travelers and it was sweet to see them grow closer during our time away. 

My heart is full of gratitude that we were able to embark on such an adventure. We were on 3 continents in 3 weeks and we were left with incredible memories, expanded hearts and hopefully appreciation for all we have and all experienced.

The girls school has something called mini-term late each winter. There is a week when the students get to pick from different trips and activities for that week that are specialized. There are local trips that include backpacking or visits to science museums or art museums. There have been bike riding trips and there are trips that require getting on a plane. When Amara was a sophomore, she went to London for a week to learn about Shakespeare. This year, Amara was chosen for the trip to China. She spent 9 days with classmates going to Beijing and other places. She visited the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and saw the Terracotta Soldiers. They spent a day at a local school, with Chinese students and time volunteering at a Panda sanctuary, getting up close to the gentle giants. 

Amara reported they had a lot of delicious food. Being one of three vegetarians, the organizes made sure she was more than well fed (although she did say breakfast was sketchy but lunch and dinners were also good). She walked the streets and made new friends with students from school that she did not know previously. Amara is an adventurous, curious and wise young lady who makes the most of the opportunities presented to her or gifted to her. China was no exception. She came home full of stories about her experiences as well as having mastered chopsticks. (She has used them since she was a little girl but now she is a “master.”)

Havana opted not to apply for this trip as she hopes to do next years to Europe. I hope that happens for her. I love that the girls share many things but have their own individual interests as well.

When it comes to travel, I am grateful they both are open to explore new places. That they are flexible and adapt to new places and cultures easily and love seeing the world beyond their own daily lives.

Uganda

Last year I had the most fortunate opportunity to launch Deeper Diving Retreats, Summits & Adventures, LLC, when I built and birthed Aloha Summits Continuing Education for therapists on Maui. It was a wild success, in part by my hard work but more so by the support of some amazing friends and Divine Guidance. 

Because I love to travel as much as I do, I had the idea long before Aloha Summits to bring people to Uganda for a safari, cultural experience and humanitarian work. I have had a connection to Uganda since Don and I went to East Africa for our honeymoon in 2006. I returned in 2023 with my brother and while I had no idea what the Universe had in store, I did mentally plan what a trip with guests would look like. I also thought about brining to reality my long held wish to bring my two small gems to Africa before they finished high school.

Well, earlier this year, both those things came true. I brought 9 guests in total to Uganda (including the girls and I) for 10 days of game drives, river boat cruises up the Nile, chimpanzee trekking, humanitarian work and so much more. There were a lot of learning curves but overall it was a success. Having Amara and Havana with me made the trip even more special. To share with them the motherland for their first time, to see them experience seeing hippos, giraffe and elephants (Luvey and Ellie came with us and were SO excited to see their kind!), along with lions, lion cubs, leopards and so much more was something words can not describe. I was often brought to tears that I was able to create this life for them and share this part of the world with them.

In addition to wildlife and history, the girls made connections with locals, especially the many children who were so curious about them. Both Amara and Havana fell in love over and over with some pretty sweet little ones. It was joyous to witness. They also got to see a part of the world so very different from their own. Without phone service for all those days, they had to look outside the the thirty year plus Land Cruiser window and see how a different culture went about life with very little. They were taken aback at times by what they saw and while they did not always say much it, I know it impacted them greatly to see the tiny brick homes and outdoor kitchens. Having outside squat toilets and no running water, those are things that change one’s view of the world permanently. The girls have traveled quite a bit but Africa is a place like no other. There is immense beauty, love, natural richness but there is also a stark contrast of poverty lack. They were included in conversations about the hows and whys of this forced reality in a place where there is so much natural wealth but the locals do not benefit.

The girls got to visit a school and that too was eye opening. The head of school was concerned about their western dress, bit too modest, but the children enjoyed asking Amara questions (Havana did not want to go inside the actual classroom) and the short exchange was valuable for both.

Both of the girls connected with our driver, Ema, whom he quickly claimed as “my students.” He taught them many important things about life in Uganda and East Africa. From the people, to the food they bonded well and they had many laughs. I enjoyed getting to know Ema as well, being he was the brother of Alfie, the drive who took Don and I on a 20 hour round trip to the Congo so many years ago.

The food, another big part of travel, was not that unusual or different for us. They eat a lot of green banana, called mat

Home now for two months, we still speak about Africa often. Uganda changed them in ways, as travel often does and it bonded us even more so.  They are already planning on joining me when I return next year, although Amara’s status as a freshman may prevent her from actually. Havana is keen set on it!

Here are some photos of our time in Uganda.

Christmas 2024

Christmas 2024 was different than Christmas days of the past. Since it has been 4 months since Christmas was here, I have had time to ponder on why it was different than other years. I think perhaps because the girls are older and they wanted to sleep in, that childhood anticipation, impatience and excitement was no longer present. The thrill of Santa coming is now a thing of the past so perhaps, some of the magic has gone and that may be part of the reduced anticipation. Don't get me wrong, they were excited for Christmas but there was their joy in going out buying their own gifts for others that had not previously been part of the holiday. It had always been their father and I making the Christmas magic happen. Now, with Amara having her own money from working she was excited to buy thoughtful and meaningful gifts for the family with her own money. While Havana had to use the funds of the adults, she too was quite thoughtful and excited to go Christmas shopping for not only her family but her closest friends as well. There was a sweetness in their being part of the holiday traditions now that they are older.

Another reason I think this last holiday was different was because the girls are older and they know what they want. In the past, they might have a list for Santa  but Don and I took liberty to choose other things. Those gifts were mostly appreciated. However, now being teenagers, they are particular and very specific about what they like and don't like, making gift giving much more challenging. I was left with thinking I would get a few of those items and overall make this year less versus ore.

When the kids were little, they’d wake up so early in the morning and race down the stairs with their oohs and ahh at all the presence under the tree. But now they wanted to sleep in late and take their time opening each present slowly. There was something nice about this more relaxed pace. When they were little, it was age appropriate to have all the excitement and energy in the air. But now it felt that taking our time, taking it all in slow slowly, was just what we needed. The girls are getting older and there won’t be too many more Christmases like this as a family. They will go to college and get on with their lives and while we might have Christmas together once they are out of the house, it won’t be the same as when they were children. It was bittersweet to have this realization and made this slower pace all the more fulfilling and meaningful.

Because girls are also quite particular about what they like these days and some of those particularities cost a little bit more money. That meant some shared gifts, like the new Dyson, and as in years gone by clothing that was necessary, but with a few more not so necessary, but optional choices for gifts.

Overall, it was a really lovely morning and day. I cherish these moments with my children. I’m so grateful to have had so many years with so many memories like this.