E8⎮TORONTO STAR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2012
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LIFE
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GLENN LOWSON PHOTOS FOR THE TORONTO STAR
Nancy Harper, with daughters Molly, 12, Annie, 13, and husband Doog Farquhar, hike on their farm in Elora ahead of their two-month exploration of Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Gratitude, empathy benefits of travel TRAVELLING from E1
Q: How do you make sure your children will be safe on the nineweek trek? A: Before we went to South Africa and Lesotho (Harper travelled there with her family in 2007) we made sure to get all the right shots: hepatitis and typhoid. We ate malaria pills everyday. And, I’m just not a worrier. If we worried too much about what might happen we would never leave the house. Q: What are the benefits of showing your child a world that isn’t, well, as pristine as Disneyland? A: Kids can handle a lot more than you think. Showing them the world instills a sense of gratitude for what they have and empathy for kids who don’t have the same things. When they grow up, they won’t remember specifics about what they’ve seen, but they’ll have a great foundation for becoming empathetic adults. Q: Your daughters are in Grade 7 and 8. What happens with schoolwork? A: Geography, history, they’ll drink in that stuff on the road. The girls are already working ahead on their math. They both love to read and will keep a journal. When they get back they’ll make a presentation to their class. Q: This trip will cost about $20,000, you say. How do you afford this? A: About 10 years ago we bought a little house and it’s now rented out. We’re borrowing off that equity. It’s a calculated risk. I’m a writer and hubby’s a handyman and farmer. We live super frugally day to day. I don’t have nice clothes. We live in a house full of second-hand everything. We found a family to rent our farm for two months. They’ll take care of the rabbits and chickens. It worked out great for them. They’ll be paying the mortgage. Q: And it’s worth it? A: There’s a difference between want you want all the time and sav-
INTINERARY á Via train: Toronto to New York City, Washington D.C. and Miami. (10 days) á Fly: Miami to Panama City á By public bus and ferry across Panama: Pearl Islands, the Canal, central and western Panama, the Highlands and Bocas del Toro á Crossing into Costa Rica by public bus. Then Osa Peninsula, San Jose, Nicoya Peninsula, Monteverde, Fortuna á Nicaragua: San Juan river region á Fly: San Jose to Toronto
TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN
The family has racked up a lot of stamps on their passports and will pick up a few more with this adventure. ONTARIO
Toronto
New York Washington
Caribbean Sea
HONDURAS Tegucigalpa
U.S.
NICARAGUA
Gulf of Mexico
Miami
DETAIL MAP
Atlantic Ocean
Managua Fortuna San Juan River district Monteverde Panama Nicoya San José Canal Peninsula Bocas del Toro COSTA RICA
Panama
Osa Peninsula
PANAMA
Pacific Ocean
400 km
PANAMA
200 km
Pacific Ocean
Pearl Islands COLOMBIA
TORONTO STAR GRAPHIC
ing for that one thing you really want. That’s what we do. It’s all about your priorities in life. Q: Do you plan a trip like this? Or fly by the seat of your pants? A: I plan and I really like planning.
We’ve booked about two-thirds of the accommodations. The rest is up in the air so we have some flexibility. Q: Any destinations you’re really excited about?
A: Nicaragua. We’re staying in a tree house near the San Juan River. No electricity. I researched it and have done everything to prepare. We know how we’re getting there. I’ve talked to the person who owns it several times. We’ve got our shots, bug spray to ward off Malaria. We’re prepared and we’re going to go for it. Q: Do the girls pack their own bags? A: Of course! I gave them packing guidelines: five T-shirts, three pairs of shorts, a couple bathing suits, a towel. Q: Camera? A: They each have a small digital camera. Q: Your girls have been to Singapore, Malaysia, Lesotho, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and parts of the Caribbean. After Central America, where to next? A: South America
á Start small, especially if you’re not sure what your kids can handle. If you long to go to Europe, for example, but the thought of a long flight with kids is too overwhelming, why not try substituting Quebec City for Paris? Or if you’re afraid the kids would be a nightmare on a long car or camping trip, test them out with something shorter and closer to home. á Give your kid some credit: They can almost certainly handle something a bit more interesting than a playground or amusement park á Don’t expect them to care about the scenery á Keep your sense of humour handy á Be flexible even if you have a plan á Let them pick out and pack their own luggage á By plane: Got a baby? Reserve one of the bassinet seats. Toddlers and older kids? Let ’em watch as much TV as they want! á By train: Reserve a sleeping car if possible. Kids love the sense of adventure and discovery as much as you do. á By car: See as much of the U.S. and Canada as you can. Drive only a few hours day if possible and give them plenty to get excited about at the next destination.