“Traveling outgrows its motives. It soon proves sufficient in itself. You think you are making a trip, but soon it is making you – or unmaking you.” – Nicholas Bouvier, The Way of The World
When it comes to our nomadic movements, my boyfriend and I rarely need travel excuses. From friends’ weddings to family road trips, we jump at any chance for a holiday. But this time, the opportunity for exploration belonged to my mom, dad and brother, who landed in New Zealand to celebrate the birth of our first child, Aila.
Playing host puts ‘traveling’ in reverse perspective. Instead of seeking out temporary events and locations, you’re proud to share the local haunts and favorite go-to’s. Though Queenstown has been my occasional home for nearly five years, suddenly I saw it through new eyes: the way dusk lights up the Remarkables Mountains; how the sidewalks shimmer with neon snow gear like scales on a rainbow fish; the way the beach echoes with optimistic chatter from hungry seagulls and awed visitors.
Of course, we dragged my family out to the Kaurau Bungy bridge and forced messy, beetroot-ladden Fergburgers down their throats.
Of course, our hyper-inclusive itinerary was determined by the feeding/sleeping habits of an unconcerned 3-week-old.
But that’s why, should a sibling or old roommate give birth, it’s important you rush to their location with open arms and pastel-colored gifts. It’s not just an excuse to travel, it’s a chance to remind the new mom that she still can; that this is simply one more step on life’s greater journey, one more adventure to face.
After all, I’ve realized that having a baby is a lot like starting off on a new trip. You over-pack possessions and burden yourself with expectations, totally unsure of what lies ahead. A bit frightened, a bit excited, doubtful as to the person you’ll become in this new, foreign future. Then suddenly, there you are – right in the middle of it – proud of your ability to not only survive, but thrive, in this extraordinary new situation.
~Until the next adventure! ~ Kelli