I’ve spent some time researching all these animal tourism experiences that sound wonderful. I want to do them all! However, I’ve come across the truth of many of them. Most touristy activities that involve captive animals also include horrific animal abuses at worst and neglect at the best. Spending my tourism dollars on ethical animal tourism is important to me. In fact, it is one way we can all make a huge difference.
“You should see the baby sea turtles while you visit Ixtapa. It was on my bucket list and it was the first thing we did when we got there,” my friend gushed.
After she told me the price, I was deterred. It would cost a few hundred dollars to do the same sea turtle release event in which she and her family participated. My husband and I talked about it and decided that we’d wait another year. That way, our kids would be another year older and hopefully, they would better remember the incredible thing we’d be doing.
I put the baby sea turtles out of my mind for another year.
I looked at my gauges. I was 35 feet under the ocean’s surface. Amazing! No ear problems. This is much better than scuba diving in the dark quarry in Ohio! I thought about where I’d gotten certified. I watch the bubbles go up as I work my way deeper, towards the dark shadowy ship another 45 feet below me.
My buddy and I hit 40 feet under and suddenly, there is a sharp pain in my right ear. Okay, I can do this. I try to descend further.
Oh, it’s searing! I shriek inside my own head. Nope. I can’t do this.
It’s happening! I think with a delightful, giddy air. I finally get to see a T-Rex skeleton in real life!* As we entered the exhibit, the T-Rex greets us with it’s fearsome teeth and incredible size. It’s impressive, bringing awe to our faces. Maybe it also brings a little fear into our hearts. However, we didn’t let that prevent us from learning all about dinosaurs at the Center of Science and Industry, aka COSI, in Columbus, Ohio. We even got to touch real fossils!
Thanks to Simone about her Canadian adventure to Minden, Ontario and Moutain Lake with a toddler in tow! It was last minute planning for a type A personality. How did it go?
After having had guests from Germany, for two weeks in June, vacation is calling. How convenient that my husband’s work’s shutdown week is right around the corner! How about a trip to Minden, Ontario, Canada to visit friends at their cottage at Mountain Lake? I am immediately thinking to rent an RV for the week. That should be an inexpensive, adventurous, and hopefully fun, way to travel and we can take the dogs along; so we save even more money. “Yes? Great! Let’s do this!”
It has been a whirlwind of a year! Even though it has been incredible, there have also been some lows. When you move your household and/or travel with kids, there bound to be highlights and lowlights. Just like with normal life. That doesn’t change just by moving somewhere new.
The wave surged over my head. I inhaled quickly, but I was too late. The crest trampled over me, ignoring my existence. I succumbed to the Pacific Ocean’s wishes. As if I had a choice to disobey.
Even knowing the water was only a few feet deep didn’t stop the thought: I have to get air.
Upon reflecting about 2017, it might have been the busiest year of my life. It was hard in a way I haven’t experienced before and brought about some of the biggest changes I’ve ever had (after having children, of course). It was also one of the most exhilarating years of my life. I’m still in awe about living in Mexico. I still can’t believe this is my home and it still makes me smile. Still, the time has come to say goodbye to 2017.