I wrote this on a JetBlue flight from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco, almost three weeks ago. I had less than an hour before touchdown and I felt compelled to pen our feelings about returning home after our year-long sabbatical…
Sabbatical Lessons Month Twelve: How Do You Spend Your Time?
We were not the only family to choose The Galapagos Islands as the final destination of a world trip. During our year, we met only one other family traveling the world (in Thailand). In Puerto Ayoro, the main town on…
Arriving On Another Planet in Ubatuba
We arrived in Rio de Janeiro at four o’clock in the morning. It was dark. We took the shuttle to the rental car agency, so we could start our four-hour drive to Itamambuca Beach as soon as possible. “Wait until…
Looking back on a gap year(s), thirty years later
I wrote this travel profile for my travel writing class. The assignment was to interview and profile two travelers whom I admire. Bart was an obvious, first choice. Without him, our sabbatical would not be possible. He is taking care…
What is the best age range for children to go on a family sabbatical?
I often get asked what is the best age range to take your children on a family sabbatical. I have some experience since I am currently on our second family sabbatical. Six years ago, we did a two-months cross-country road…
If Somebody Gave You a Ticket Home, Would You Go?
At the end our month in Australia, I asked our kids: “If Sinterklaas (a Dutch saint who brings presents on his birthday, December 6) would leave us five tickets back home tomorrow, and you could resume your normal life again…
The Case For A YoYo lifestyle (Month Five Lessons)
Five months of our family sabbatical have passed. I’m excited that we are actually making unexpected discoveries about ourselves, each other and life every month. This is what our sabbatical is all about! Lesson 1: The middle ground between work and…
Back in Japan After Twenty Years (we met there)
One evening, shortly after arriving in Tokyo, twenty years ago, I met a man in a bar. His opening line was: “My name is Eilam, guess where I’m from?” Sensing that he might be from the Middle East, I guessed…
People, Not Places: Paula and Steve from Texas
I often describe our sabbatical year as a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ but in Beijing we met a couple that proved us wrong: why would a unique travel year have be an one-time deal? Paula and Steve from Texas…
Things Milo Will Do When He Gets Back Home
Milo has been feeling a bit homesick this week. He’s upbeat and generally well behaved, but he is talking frequently about things he will do when we get home. I promised him that I will diligently keep updating his list so…