Traveling makes me think of my dad. He always made it an adventure, as good dads do. There are certain traditions I keep alive, if even just for myself.
When I spotted pelicans on our boat ride, I recited to M., “A wonderful bird is the pelican. His mouth can hold more than his belly can.” Dad used to recite it to me in a funny posh voice every time we saw a pelican, and it always made me smile.
When M. bought me an ice cream pop, I offered him “taxes.” It’s only right.
Whenever I was feeling particularly good, I cried, “I’m as happy as a grig!” I’m not sure where and when this tradition started, but it’s been the ne plus ultra of traveling joy for decades now.
And when we boarded the plane to leave Cartagena, I asked M. to take this photo. My dad always told me to “wave to your adoring fans!” when boarding or disembarking planes the old-fashioned way. And I did. It was (and still is) a bit embarassing, but in the very best way.
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The Great American Cooking Project
Notes from others: