James: In the days leading up to my tall ship sail from Cape Horn to Cape Town, I came across an article on Lonely Planet – “How to prepare for the perfect voyage to Antarctica.” I printed it off and when it was time to leave the condo for three months, I snapped a picture with a copy on top of my two bags. Together the bags held everything I needed for the next three months – whether hiking in Torres del Paine National Park, standing on deck sailing frigid Antarctic waters, or after arrival in temperate South Africa at the start of Autumn.
Contrast that picture with the luggage requirements for our family’s recent trip home to see family in Zambia for one month. Double-stroller, car seats, diaper bags, carriers, and so many changes of clothes for our little guys. That’s not to mention presents from Canada for Mirriam’s extended family, including Canadian shirts, souvenirs, books, even some of Mirriam’s favourite biscuits.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn how accommodating airlines can be when faced with the mountain of equipment needed to move a family of four seamlessly across the globe. My sister Alison, a flight attendant and Mom of three, provided invaluable advice and tips for how to keep a toddler entertained on cross-continental flights – who knew that something as simple as green masking tape could be so useful, sticking pieces on the window and the tray table and then removing them. Taping extra diapers and wipes to the car seat before putting it in its storage bag also proved an amazing way to save space in suitcases that all weighed in within 0.2 kg of the 32 kg limit.
A lifetime ago, in early September 2015, I remember arriving at the Edinburgh airport in the wee hours, head pounding after a wonderful 10-day trip with my buddy Tim that included the Tomatina festival in Bunol, an Arsenal game at St. James Park in Newcastle, and the Fringe Festival. That morning I saw a young family slowly making their way through the departure lounge with two crying infants. The mom took them both into a wheelchair-accessible toilet as the dad crumpled into a seat outside to wait beside their bags, his shoulders slumped in defeat.
“Imagine being that guy,” I thought to myself. “Must be the worst!” Ten years later, and I’m now incredibly excited by the idea and challenge of our next flights to Zambia this summer. Our youngest turns two in September, so it will be the last trip before he has to pay for his own seat.
Funny how time and perspective have a way of changing everything.
