Dynamics

We have all survived almost 24 hour a day contact for six weeks with marital and family ties intact. True, Brian has periodically needed to escape the almost continuous talking (and it’s not always me) for some quiet time to recharge his batteries; Joseph the same but to allow himself, or others, the illusion that he is travelling with cool friends rather than with his embarrassing family; Ellen’s fury at having her cherished autonomy and independence challenged by my helpful nagging has been soothed by Brian’s tactful charm; Patrick used up his lifetime’s quota of sulking and grudge bearing on our last trip overseas in 2008, and on this trip has been positively sunny; and I, frustrated and appalled by the Flaherty males’ tolerance for dirt (unwashed hands, grubby sheets, grimy clothes go ignored) have learnt a lesson, though I don’t know quite what – I have been the sickest of all of us on this trip (although Brian is making a last minute dash for the finish line as I type, and is likely to pip me at the post, and Joseph, strictly speaking, has only lost by a nose. Ellen and Patrick are the only ones not in the race).

Few fights, few sulks, lots of laughing at each other – and at other things of course – and lots of games of Oh Hell. There are no money worries because the cost of living here is so much lower than in NZ, we eat out at least twice a day, and our days are busy with travelling and sightseeing in a different world with people of all sorts – kind, funny, horrible, interesting, but always worthy of (my) comment. Add to this good weather, books, notebook laptop, iPods and frequent wifi, and it all makes a good recipe for a family adventure.
- Annie

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