Sabbatical Summary--Linden
- Cris Ballonoff
- Jun 1, 2022
- 2 min read
As we near the end of the trip, I have really noticed how amazing it has been. We have gone from completely roughing it in Nepal to being in very nice hotels in France galivanting from meal to meal and bakery to bakery. I am looking back on the trip and it is a long list that is so easy to say, but the adventures along the way were more than anyone could imagine.
THE LIST…
NUMBER
WHERE
WHAT WE DID
HOW LONG
WHO’S CHOICE
1
Hawaii
-All four Pearl Harbor museums
-playing on the beach
5 days
Asher
2
The Philippines
-Scuba Certification
-Being spoiled at Noa Noa
-beach time
-Underground river
2.5 weeks
Everyone
3
Nepal
-trekking
-making friends
2.5 weeks
Dad
4
Zimbabwe
-volunteering at Chipengali Animal Orphanage
-Victoria Falls
2.5 weeks
Linden
5
Botswana
-safari
5 days
Everyone
6
Zambia
-Volunteering at the OVC (Orphaned or Vulnerable Children) for Me, Asher, and Dad
-Volunteering at the hospital for Mom
5 days
Everyone
7
France
-bike trip
-being tourists
-eating pastries and drinking drinks
2 weeks
Mom
It is so hard to put all of the adventures into a list, but that is the gist of it. Ever since about two months ago, I have been yearning for the flight home to be scheduled and to stuff all my dirty clothes into my suitcase to wash when I get home. Finally, that day has come. Now, it feels like our trip has only just began and it was the biggest dream I have ever had. I guess that is the best way to describe it because it does not seem possible. I can not even begin to think how much planning this trip took. Countless hours of Dad glued to his screen in the den, thinking, typing, and planning. Slowly by slowly, the trip developed. Before we left, I sort of had the mindset that the trip was a long vacation where I got to leave school early. I thought it was an easy, nice way to spend my time. I was miserably WRONG! This has been harder than any school could have offered me and taught me about the same amount, but a much different curriculum and much more useful information. I am starting to wake up from my very long dream, and soon will be waking up in my room, my bed, at 1945 E. Chenango Ct. CO, USA.
loved following all of your adventures guys and gals and also, selfishly, glad your home!
Love the list Linden! It's so true, you miss home, you're ready to come home and all of the sudden when the time is here you would like a few more days... But I'm sure it will be great to be home with all the memories and life lessons you are bringing back with you. Welcome Home!!! Can't wait to see you all!
Linden, I'm so glad you got to go on this trip. I don't think it was very easy much of the time, but you serenely powered through, just as you ski and otherwise. Thank you for your journal entries. I suspect the task was sometimes forced on you by some parents, but it was really nice for us to hear your voice from the trip.
I think you may have experienced more this year than than can be described. It is a LOT for an active mind to digest and I think this is a trip you will be looking back on and still learning from for your whole life.
We look forward to seeing you up in the hills…
Linden - Nice perspective! It’s been an amazing family travel experience that you’ll remember forever!
It’s all been freshly washed and all 50 blankets are waiting for you! 😂