For the Love of Travel and Family

By Chris Ryall

A proud dad reflects on how his love of globetrotting strengthened his relationships with his children and taught them to appreciate cultural differences.

I have grown up appreciating and accepting other people and cultures and in turn become more cultured myself. I have you to thank, so thank you, to a truly great dad.” This is what my daughter, Caitlyn, now in her late 20s, wrote in my Father’s Day card a few years ago.

CAITLYN, SCOTT AND CHRIS AT NIAGARA FALLS

© CHRIS RYALL

I cherish this card. It sits prominently on my bookshelf along with other cards my son and she have given me. I can’t help but tear up whenever I read their heartfelt sentiments.

Despite this, our family unit doesn’t usually brim with demonstrative warm and fuzzies. We love each other, of course, but with a mix of stoic English/Irish ancestry. As the kids became teenagers, the family’s sappy genes gradually retreated.

It is travel, however, that has been the connective tissue and bonded my family and the relationship I have with my kids.

My yearning to explore the world started when I was seven and watched the 1963 movie, Jason and the Argonauts. While Jason set out on his voyage with Greek warriors searching for the magical Golden Fleece, scenes of exotic foreign lands whetted my appetite for travel. Greece was my first dream destination.

Growing up, my travels were limited to family road trips to Florida mixed with Ontario camping and cottage holidays. Ethnic cuisine was a foreign territory as well. Spice for my dad amounted to just double shakes of salt and pepper.

SCOTT AND CHRIS IN ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND

© CHRIS RYALL

From these humble beginnings, travel has evolved into an integral part of my personal, family and professional life. It has taken me to more than 85 countries on six continents. It is a never-ending desire to explore, experience and learn. It’s my way of experiencing the warm and fuzzies by embracing and immersing myself into the culture.

VISITING GARIFUNA SCHOOL KIDS IN ROATAN, HONDURAS

© CHRIS RYALL

Whenever I visit a new destination, it stimulates a reflective response in me. What can I learn from this person/culture? How can I share my knowledge and experiences? What does this person need to know about my culture and the country I live in? How can I contribute to a better world? What can I do to leave a positive impression?

As a parent, we try and teach our kids about being responsible, compassionate citizens and giving back to the community. I’ve had the privilege to plant rice, do health checks on elephants and volunteer for various cultural activities. Travel can be such a valuable educator and an invaluable tool for teaching my kids to respect other cultures.

When the kids were young, I would bring back from my trip dolls or other trinkets reflecting the country’s culture, especially for my daughter.

While all of her friends had their collection of Barbie dolls, Caitlyn had handcrafted black Zulu dolls and Hopi Tribe kachina dolls. In kindergarten and older grades, she would bring these dolls for show and tell and other presentations, sharing stories about the cultures that made them.

Travel has been the catalyst to a stronger relationship with my children in good times and bad. When my wife and I separated, my son and I went on a golf trip to Myrtle Beach a few months afterward. The destination played an important backdrop in a week of fatherson bonding and emotional support through golfing, kayaking, singing at a rock concert and doughnut runs to the Krispy Kreme outlet.

Family holidays in France, Arizona, Mexico, Canada, United States and other destinations planted the wanderlust seeds in each of them. They have stayed in everything from budget motels to five-star resorts and appreciate them all. Just as in my travels, they appreciated the differences and learned to adapt to the occasional inconvenience.

These days, my daughter has taken the travel bug across the Atlantic Ocean. She now lives and works in Copenhagen. She also got married there. My son resides in Toronto, but is ready to jump on the plane to challenge me in golf anywhere.

I’m immensely proud when I see who their friends are both growing up and today. It reflects a gathering of the United Nations – only younger.

In another Father’s Day card, Caitlyn wrote: “I am happy to be able to share the love of travel and adventure with you.” Embrace your life and family with healthy doses of travel.

It’s the gift that keeps on giving back.