Later this month, we’re taking our first trip as a family. I am FREAKED OUT! At the same time, it’s been too long since Husband J and I have really ventured anywhere new. In fact, it’s been over a year. I will say that we’ve been busy, so I’m not going to hold it against us. Besides, Husband J and I have got a new travel partner in Baby C, and it’s take awhile to get her up to speed. So where are we off to?
This time we’ll be headed north to:
CANADA!
We’ll essentially be hanging out in Toronto and Montreal, with the majority of our time in the latter city.
I’m very excited to see family in Toronto that I have not seen in years. Years, I tell you. Let’s put it this way: One of my teenage cousins wasn’t alive when I visited last. It’s unfortunate, but I’m hoping to rekindle some family bonds and to see a city that so many people seem to love.
Deciding to go to Canada was easy but not easy at the same time. It’s hard to realize that the way you used to travel just won’t cut it anymore or at least for the near future. There will be no hot air balloon rides over pretty terrain, or traipsing through cities all day long until our feet are sore, or travel to REALLY far off places.
Many people told us that this 5 month old baby stage was a pretty good time to travel. Baby C is still not mobile. She’s still living off of breastmilk completely (although that may change soon). Plus, she’s not a picky or tantrum-y toddler/pre-schooler. This should be easy, right?
I’m still not convinced. While Baby C is pretty portable, she does have her idiosyncracies. She’s still not the best sleeper or napper. She’s got a short awake window before she get uncomfortable, which could cramp our sightseeing. She’s got an early bedtime, so I guess it will be the early bird special at restaurants, if we can even get to any. Husband J and I already know that we have to temper our expectations of what travel will be for us.
As scared sh**less first time parents, why did we specifically choose Canada? Here are just a few reasons:
–English speaking country with good healthcare system. God forbid anything should happen on this trip to Baby C. At least we know that there won’t be a communication issue should we need to seek out medical care for any of us.
–No timezone changes. Baby C’s sleep is a little jacked up anywway, so this might not have been such an important reason. I’m glad we’re not dealing with major changes to her body clock though.
–Short flight. I think Baby C has naps about the same length as the flights to these cities, which is about an hour to an hour and a half.
–No shots or immunizations needed. Baby C is still in the process of getting many of her immunizations for the first time. I’m glad we didn’t have to seek any special ones for her.
In the end, Canada won out versus our other possibility, England. It would have been pretty ambitious for us to do what we wanted, which was to drive around the English countryside. I’ll get my trip to Downton Abbey some day. In the end, being practical won out against a trip across the ocean. I’m excited for our first family trip even with our minature travel buddy. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery. It will be also be nice for Husband J to FINALLY get to Canada.
What factors have you used to decide where to travel? Did you go somewhere because it was ultimately an “easier” place to visit?