I love this. My mother was my very introduction to travel. She took me travelling in my pre-teen and early teen years, just me and her. We explored so much together. Two years ago we travelled together again, this time to Iceland. It was magical. I love travelling with my mother.
As an arachnophobe, I will steer clear of Jamaica though! Haha.
When I told my mom that I was going to Uganda for four months to volunteer at the Jane Goodall Institute she said, "don't get any ideas. I'm not doing what Jane Goodall's mother did." (When Dr. Leakey approved of Jane's Gombe research plans, he would only permit Jane to go if someone accompanied her. Insert Jane's mom here.).
Moms are good for botanical things, worrying when we don't and sometimes, lessons in pineapples! I can 100% thank my mother for her curiosity (and bookshelves) that introduced us to all sorts of things growing up---from random cemetery visits, greenhouses, antique auctions and owl prowls. This was a good one Kristi--have you ever read Jane Christmas's Incontinent on the Continent? https://www.janechristmas.ca/books/incontinent-on-the-continent/
Pineapples don’t grow underground, they shoot up from the middle!
Pineapple plants are part of a group called bromeliads, which (like air plants) often grow on the branches of trees. So, while pineapples don’t grow on trees, pineapple plants could! That said, they’re one of the few bromeliads that prefers the ground.
My mum took me to to Cannes after my son died as a mother's day treat. She won it in a radio auction and paid a ridiculous amount of money so I didn't feel I could refuse. When we arrived the bed was made up as a double. There was no way I was sharing a bed with her. To my horror I woke in the night to what sounded like a warthog. It turns out my prim, always immaculate mother snores. 😳
Waiting for her to get ready to go out to dinner was an experience in itself. Choosing clothes, putting on makeup, doing her hair, while sipping the complementary champagne. It felt like I was the mother and she my teenage daughter. I'm a wash and go kind of person. 😁
We didn't do anything much while there as she'd already spent so much money and was really scared of.. well everything really. 😱 We even booked an earlier flight home.
No I would never go on holiday with her again much as I love her. 😊
Hahahaha Karen! This is SO much like my mom and I! I don't recall her snoring back then but I can no longer travel with her unless we book separate rooms. Her snoring is out of this world! I feel your struggle LOL. Maybe you and I are long lost sisters...seems like we share a few similarities, right down to losing our sons. ♥
I'm also wash and go. I find it VERY difficult to travel with people who need time to do all that junk. The friend I traveled to New Orleans with was over the top with hair, makeup, wardrobe, silver pants, etc. 😂 I feel like I just figured out a next article.
Your guides are looking pretty calm on that rough ocean. I would not have loved that fishing trip and take my hat off to you both for persevering! The raft trip though, sign me up for that. This is a great example of gaining a new perspective which we can do with any little thing. In this case I'm sure it helped your blog a lot to have different ideas to offer your readers.
Those guys do it for a living! Us whitewashed, resort-going Canadians...we'll sign up for a hot bath instead 😂 Or a rafting trip. That one was truly sublime.
I'm going to tell my mom you said that! It'll make her day!
The last 10 years of my fathers life was truly fun and time well spent. It’s a good thing I like pie. He had to stop every two hours, and have a piece of pie. praise Ja he made it to the smart phone era. lol
I love your article so much! You prompted me to go back in time and have wonderful memories about good times with good people. I’m deeply appreciative.
"when you’re trying not to wake your mother, it is universal law that you must trip over every pair of flip-flops within a 3-mile radius. 😳"
LOL. I had my parents down in Mexico a year and a half ago for the first time ever. They were NOT used to so many things we experienced, but they took all of it like champs as well. We had a great time. It's really nice of them to take the time to come and experience a place that means a lot to us. Cool that your Mom lived in Japan for five years. How did she like it? Can she speak Japanese? Were you there with her when she moved?
Yeah it is pretty awesome to be able to show our parents why we love the places we do!
My mom LOVED living in Japan. She had originally gone to teach English for one year and she loved it so much she stayed for 5 years! I never got to go visit her though. I had just given birth to my son when she left and could never afford to go there as a single mama. While she was there she learned enough Japanese to be comfortable. She really immersed in the culture. I think the real reason she ended up coming home was PTSD from living through the Kobe earthquake in 1995. She lost everything in her home there and really had a tough time mentally after that.
Hi Kristi, great story! I have traveled with my mom often and wouldn't have it any other way! But I have to say, in your mother's defense, I think it is different. If this had happened to me and one of my children (even grown children who often travel the world alone), once it started getting so late, I would have been wondering if I should contact someone in case my child was in trouble. The stress of the conflict - between wanting to respect my child's independence yet knowing (since I was there) that if there had been trouble I was the only one in the world who knew my child could be in danger - would have sent me through the roof. Mama bear instinct, I guess.
I suppose I can see it from that angle. I had a son so it was a bit different for me. I didn't worry as much about him because he was a big, burly guy who made friends everywhere he went!
But accidents can happen to anyone, even big burly sons. For me, it would be that sense of responsibility since I was there and knew the child was out so late. If i was there (not home in my own bed oblivious to the situation) and didn't do anything and it turned out that something bad had happened, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Just saying. I obviously don't know what was going through your mom's mind, but when I put myself in her place, I can empathize.
Many years ago my mother and I embarked on a journey to Dallas Texas from our home 800 miles to the north of there. We had a good time driving the dusty roads thru parched bare grounds ravished by a drought that lingered over this part of Texas for 2 years. It was a sight for it usually is green and blooming...I've been back and forth many times when I lived outside of Tyler...but we were not phased...for in my corner of Texas..I like to call it bipolar weather...it's the rapid changes and severity of it that is our norm. So as we found our way to this bednbreakfast we decided to stay at. .(the party we were attending the next day was hosted there so we splurged)... the beautiful mansion was huge and shaded by ancient oak trees and wild crawling vines and outdoor spaces carefully landscaped and maintained We found the fron entrance and banged the brass knocker several times but no one answered..while waiting to decide our next move.. I looked down I saw a huge tarantula at our feet! I grabbed mom and got us both 10 feet away.. or so... but surprisingly..we were still on the front porch...my mom was brushing it off as amusing..but tactfully... knowing my deathly fear of anything spidery..ugh! those are well documented in my spidey files...in a another unexpected whoosh the beautiful dark green door opened in the afternoon heat and Dallas in late June...oppressive. The lady of the house was in between our ages and was noticeably interrupted from arduous chores by the ruffles attire and sweat lined brow..I instantly alerted her to the impending threat of "suredeathbyaphid"..or that's how it felt...she barely said a oh yea and promptly..squashed it firmly and enthusiastcally..and I had to wonder if it was a sign of regretful decisions..or a sign of something worse in the wings..I was happy to report that we had a really good time and the first impression was a misnomer. I think about that trip with a ironic twist now..for my mother and I have been on a relationship time out for over 2 years now...I wonder if it's time to plan a trip..we will either be closer than ever...or neither one survive...the updates will either be on Substack or the local obits...lol
LOL at "fear of anything spidery." I suffer from the same. Spiders are my WORST so I don't know how I would've dealt with seeing a tarantula.
I'm sorry your relationship with your mom is strained right now. I do hope somehow you both come out on the other side, unscathed. I look forward to your stories once they start rolling out!
My late husband and I took my mother on her one-and-only trip to Europe back in the 80s (she was NOT a big traveler, obv, and was in her early 70s at the time). I'll never, ever forget the look on her face as we took a water taxi across the Adriatic into Venice — it was magical. Yes, there were moments: at times she clung to me, thinking she was protecting ME from traffic (when she was looking the wrong way before crossing streets in London). But those were nothing compared to seeing her astonishment and joy.
Ha!! You're the second person who admitted they didn't know about pineapples! I feel SO validated!! I truly felt like a doorknob admitting that for the first time!
Well, you won't believe these two---I can play this game all day! Poinsettias (I saw these crazy trees in Kenya) and strawberries. Yes, there is a strawberry tree---saw those in Croatia for the first time! https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/strawberry-tree-fruit
Yeeps, Kristi! You could have left out the spiders - not the best draw for someone considering Jamaica for the first time . ha ha ha! But I loved the feet with the brightly painted toenails. I, myself, traveled solo every year for 38 years, but the times I DID take my mother along, though quite different, were fabulous. In my mind's eye, I still see her sitting on the steps in front of Sacre-Coeur, walking in Hampstead Heath, hiking the Cinque Terre, boating on Lake Como. She was a wonderful old gal who, even at the age of 75, could jump on and off an Amsterdam tram like a kid. If I could only have her back for one day, one hour...
This is why I'm so fond of my travel memories with my mom, because I know she won't be around for eternity even if we want them to stay forever! I'm glad you also have lovely travel memories with your mom.
And sorry, not sorry, about the spiders! That was a significant event for me lol. I had to mention it!
I love this. My mother was my very introduction to travel. She took me travelling in my pre-teen and early teen years, just me and her. We explored so much together. Two years ago we travelled together again, this time to Iceland. It was magical. I love travelling with my mother.
As an arachnophobe, I will steer clear of Jamaica though! Haha.
That's so great that you and your mom have covered so much travel together. Those are irreplaceable memories that I'm sure you're grateful to have 😊
When I told my mom that I was going to Uganda for four months to volunteer at the Jane Goodall Institute she said, "don't get any ideas. I'm not doing what Jane Goodall's mother did." (When Dr. Leakey approved of Jane's Gombe research plans, he would only permit Jane to go if someone accompanied her. Insert Jane's mom here.).
Moms are good for botanical things, worrying when we don't and sometimes, lessons in pineapples! I can 100% thank my mother for her curiosity (and bookshelves) that introduced us to all sorts of things growing up---from random cemetery visits, greenhouses, antique auctions and owl prowls. This was a good one Kristi--have you ever read Jane Christmas's Incontinent on the Continent? https://www.janechristmas.ca/books/incontinent-on-the-continent/
Are the students you pictured from the Penlyne Castle school in the mountains? I recognize the uniforms!
I'm not sure which school but we were staying in Gayle, St Mary at the time. I think plenty of school uniforms must be similar in Jamaica.
Haha, that’s totally true. Cute pic
Pineapples don’t grow underground, they shoot up from the middle!
Pineapple plants are part of a group called bromeliads, which (like air plants) often grow on the branches of trees. So, while pineapples don’t grow on trees, pineapple plants could! That said, they’re one of the few bromeliads that prefers the ground.
Yet another fascinating thing I never knew! I've been admitting my pineapple secret online for a decade and nobody has ever told me what you just did.
Knowledge is power! 😁😁🍍🍍
The most important “fact” though is that pineapples taste so much better there than imported ones 🤤
Amen to that! And bananas too! Those tiny little bananas are so much sweeter.
Yes!!! And the MANGOS
And the avocados (pears) larger than my head 😂😂😂
!!!! I have yet to try those! Sounds amazing!
My mum took me to to Cannes after my son died as a mother's day treat. She won it in a radio auction and paid a ridiculous amount of money so I didn't feel I could refuse. When we arrived the bed was made up as a double. There was no way I was sharing a bed with her. To my horror I woke in the night to what sounded like a warthog. It turns out my prim, always immaculate mother snores. 😳
Waiting for her to get ready to go out to dinner was an experience in itself. Choosing clothes, putting on makeup, doing her hair, while sipping the complementary champagne. It felt like I was the mother and she my teenage daughter. I'm a wash and go kind of person. 😁
We didn't do anything much while there as she'd already spent so much money and was really scared of.. well everything really. 😱 We even booked an earlier flight home.
No I would never go on holiday with her again much as I love her. 😊
Hahahaha Karen! This is SO much like my mom and I! I don't recall her snoring back then but I can no longer travel with her unless we book separate rooms. Her snoring is out of this world! I feel your struggle LOL. Maybe you and I are long lost sisters...seems like we share a few similarities, right down to losing our sons. ♥
I'm also wash and go. I find it VERY difficult to travel with people who need time to do all that junk. The friend I traveled to New Orleans with was over the top with hair, makeup, wardrobe, silver pants, etc. 😂 I feel like I just figured out a next article.
Isn't it great to get ideas for post in response to what others write. I especially love the ones that bring out my own sense of humour! 😂
Yes!!!!
My mother definitely puts the hood in just about everything.
😂😂 I was the same way as a mother hahaha!
Some mothers do...!!!
Your guides are looking pretty calm on that rough ocean. I would not have loved that fishing trip and take my hat off to you both for persevering! The raft trip though, sign me up for that. This is a great example of gaining a new perspective which we can do with any little thing. In this case I'm sure it helped your blog a lot to have different ideas to offer your readers.
Also, you and your Mom look like sisters.
Those guys do it for a living! Us whitewashed, resort-going Canadians...we'll sign up for a hot bath instead 😂 Or a rafting trip. That one was truly sublime.
I'm going to tell my mom you said that! It'll make her day!
The last 10 years of my fathers life was truly fun and time well spent. It’s a good thing I like pie. He had to stop every two hours, and have a piece of pie. praise Ja he made it to the smart phone era. lol
Hahaha that's awesome Hudson! He sure knew how to enjoy the simpler things in life it seems!
I love your article so much! You prompted me to go back in time and have wonderful memories about good times with good people. I’m deeply appreciative.
🙏
My pleasure, Hudson. 😊
"when you’re trying not to wake your mother, it is universal law that you must trip over every pair of flip-flops within a 3-mile radius. 😳"
LOL. I had my parents down in Mexico a year and a half ago for the first time ever. They were NOT used to so many things we experienced, but they took all of it like champs as well. We had a great time. It's really nice of them to take the time to come and experience a place that means a lot to us. Cool that your Mom lived in Japan for five years. How did she like it? Can she speak Japanese? Were you there with her when she moved?
Yeah it is pretty awesome to be able to show our parents why we love the places we do!
My mom LOVED living in Japan. She had originally gone to teach English for one year and she loved it so much she stayed for 5 years! I never got to go visit her though. I had just given birth to my son when she left and could never afford to go there as a single mama. While she was there she learned enough Japanese to be comfortable. She really immersed in the culture. I think the real reason she ended up coming home was PTSD from living through the Kobe earthquake in 1995. She lost everything in her home there and really had a tough time mentally after that.
Hi Kristi, great story! I have traveled with my mom often and wouldn't have it any other way! But I have to say, in your mother's defense, I think it is different. If this had happened to me and one of my children (even grown children who often travel the world alone), once it started getting so late, I would have been wondering if I should contact someone in case my child was in trouble. The stress of the conflict - between wanting to respect my child's independence yet knowing (since I was there) that if there had been trouble I was the only one in the world who knew my child could be in danger - would have sent me through the roof. Mama bear instinct, I guess.
I suppose I can see it from that angle. I had a son so it was a bit different for me. I didn't worry as much about him because he was a big, burly guy who made friends everywhere he went!
But accidents can happen to anyone, even big burly sons. For me, it would be that sense of responsibility since I was there and knew the child was out so late. If i was there (not home in my own bed oblivious to the situation) and didn't do anything and it turned out that something bad had happened, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. Just saying. I obviously don't know what was going through your mom's mind, but when I put myself in her place, I can empathize.
I see you got da choppy waves for da fishing trip but offset that with that cool bamboo raft ride. Looks like you guys had a blast!
LOL we did, yes! No Youtube video could do the waves justice but I won't be doing that again soon!
Your mom's a trooper -- you had to get it from somewhere, no??
Many years ago my mother and I embarked on a journey to Dallas Texas from our home 800 miles to the north of there. We had a good time driving the dusty roads thru parched bare grounds ravished by a drought that lingered over this part of Texas for 2 years. It was a sight for it usually is green and blooming...I've been back and forth many times when I lived outside of Tyler...but we were not phased...for in my corner of Texas..I like to call it bipolar weather...it's the rapid changes and severity of it that is our norm. So as we found our way to this bednbreakfast we decided to stay at. .(the party we were attending the next day was hosted there so we splurged)... the beautiful mansion was huge and shaded by ancient oak trees and wild crawling vines and outdoor spaces carefully landscaped and maintained We found the fron entrance and banged the brass knocker several times but no one answered..while waiting to decide our next move.. I looked down I saw a huge tarantula at our feet! I grabbed mom and got us both 10 feet away.. or so... but surprisingly..we were still on the front porch...my mom was brushing it off as amusing..but tactfully... knowing my deathly fear of anything spidery..ugh! those are well documented in my spidey files...in a another unexpected whoosh the beautiful dark green door opened in the afternoon heat and Dallas in late June...oppressive. The lady of the house was in between our ages and was noticeably interrupted from arduous chores by the ruffles attire and sweat lined brow..I instantly alerted her to the impending threat of "suredeathbyaphid"..or that's how it felt...she barely said a oh yea and promptly..squashed it firmly and enthusiastcally..and I had to wonder if it was a sign of regretful decisions..or a sign of something worse in the wings..I was happy to report that we had a really good time and the first impression was a misnomer. I think about that trip with a ironic twist now..for my mother and I have been on a relationship time out for over 2 years now...I wonder if it's time to plan a trip..we will either be closer than ever...or neither one survive...the updates will either be on Substack or the local obits...lol
LOL at "fear of anything spidery." I suffer from the same. Spiders are my WORST so I don't know how I would've dealt with seeing a tarantula.
I'm sorry your relationship with your mom is strained right now. I do hope somehow you both come out on the other side, unscathed. I look forward to your stories once they start rolling out!
Lol! Save Mom or the camera?!?!
😂😂😂 I totally put that in there to see who would notice!! So far only you and Julia Hubbel 😁
I may be a terrible person for taking a moment to think about it, but at least I'm in good company! 🤣
Bahahahaaa!
My late husband and I took my mother on her one-and-only trip to Europe back in the 80s (she was NOT a big traveler, obv, and was in her early 70s at the time). I'll never, ever forget the look on her face as we took a water taxi across the Adriatic into Venice — it was magical. Yes, there were moments: at times she clung to me, thinking she was protecting ME from traffic (when she was looking the wrong way before crossing streets in London). But those were nothing compared to seeing her astonishment and joy.
Ahhh I love this Jan. Treasured moments and memories are so priceless.
This was a fun read…made me laugh, and you and your mom rock! (Also had no idea pineapples grew underground 😂 so thanks for enlightening me!)
Ha!! You're the second person who admitted they didn't know about pineapples! I feel SO validated!! I truly felt like a doorknob admitting that for the first time!
I have to ask now---do you know how peanuts grow?
I hope they grow as little pods on trees or else I sound like an idiot again!
Ha, well, ready yourself for colour commentary from the peanut gallery! https://www.auntrubyspeanuts.com/howgrow
😂😂 I can't take this anymore!! Is there ANYTHING that grows on trees? Certainly not money!
Well, you won't believe these two---I can play this game all day! Poinsettias (I saw these crazy trees in Kenya) and strawberries. Yes, there is a strawberry tree---saw those in Croatia for the first time! https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/strawberry-tree-fruit
Yeeps, Kristi! You could have left out the spiders - not the best draw for someone considering Jamaica for the first time . ha ha ha! But I loved the feet with the brightly painted toenails. I, myself, traveled solo every year for 38 years, but the times I DID take my mother along, though quite different, were fabulous. In my mind's eye, I still see her sitting on the steps in front of Sacre-Coeur, walking in Hampstead Heath, hiking the Cinque Terre, boating on Lake Como. She was a wonderful old gal who, even at the age of 75, could jump on and off an Amsterdam tram like a kid. If I could only have her back for one day, one hour...
This is why I'm so fond of my travel memories with my mom, because I know she won't be around for eternity even if we want them to stay forever! I'm glad you also have lovely travel memories with your mom.
And sorry, not sorry, about the spiders! That was a significant event for me lol. I had to mention it!