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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Original Post - Feb 1, 2013 - 10:00am PT
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This is a Travel Report.
The cat in the case above is how i feel about the airport experience anymore, but more on that later. This is about my wonderful daughter moving to New Zealand.
Heading in to International check in. This is all my hippie chick daughter is taking with her for a year or more in New Zealand.
Here she is finding out how very helpful airline folks can be.
This lady was a gem.
I think I can, I think I can.
I can!
So given the circumstances the airline & airport let me take Amber all the way to the departure gate. Just like in the good old days last century. That was nice because Amber really wanted the company of an experienced traveller and calm person at the out set of her first International adventure. But given the presence of a bunch of surgical bling in my body I set off the bells and whistles at security. Amber and I had just stripped our possessions into the plastic buckets and were approaching the metal detector when I said, "Amber, watch I am going to make the machine go BING". And it did. Well instead of the usual pat down, wanding and explanation of my prosthetics, this time they took extra special interest in me personally. There was my sweet, already anxious little girl watching her daddy be escorted off to a security closet by two large surly looking dudes in uniforms with badges.
Well they gave me the once, twice and thrice over. I didn't have to do the "Full Monty" and at least they didn't feel it necessary to give me the full "Where's Waldo" treatment. I was cleared with the only "thumbs up" being me told I was good to go. Woo Hoo let's hear it for modern air travel and the friendly skies.
So a little note for those wondering what in the world this kid is up to. Amber is involved with an International organization known as W.O.O.F. The World Organization of Organic Farms. She will be working on and learning about sustainable organic farming. This program is applicable to University credits and operates around the globe. Google it, it is a very cool organization. This is really about my "birthday" daughter wanting to be part of the solution. And I thought you would like to know I think we are in good hands.
Leavin' home, out on the road
I've been down before
Ridin' along in this big ol' jet plane
I've been thinkin' about my home
But my love light seems so far away
And I feel like it's all been done
Somebody's tryin' to make me stay
You know I've got to be movin' on
Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Goodbye to all my friends at home
Goodbye to people I've trusted
I've got to go out and make my way
I might get rich you know I might get busted
But my heart keeps calling me backwards
As I get on the 707
Ridin' high I got tears in my eyes
You know you got to go through hell
Before you get to heaven
Big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Touchin' down in New England town
Feel the heat comin' down
I've got to keep on keepin' on
You know the big wheel keeps on spinnin' around
And I'm goin' with some hesitation
You know that I can surely see
That I don't want to get caught up in any of that
Funky sh#t goin' down in the city
Big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Yeah, yeah yeah, yeah
Big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Carry me to my home
Oh, Oh big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's there that I belong Steve Miller Jet Airliner Lyrics
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climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
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New Zealand? Very cool. Doubt there is a cooler, more awesome, safer and beautiful place for a young gal to stretch her wings.
Long way from home. But I'm sure you are proud.
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dirtbag
climber
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Beautiful--I can only begin to imagine how proud you must be of her.
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 1, 2013 - 11:13am PT
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Thank you all. Yes I am proud of my beautiful girl. Born 18 years ago on my birthday now flying into her own. 50 minutes till touch down in Fiji. I hope she can make contact. I am a wee anxious.
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Gilroy
Social climber
Bolderado
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Aahhhh! A father's dreams for his daughter... To save the world one salad at a time.
Travel safely, Amber.
KG
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Rhodo-Router
Gym climber
sawatch choss
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You gotta let 'em go sometime Philo. Be brave.
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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My sister employs WOOFers on her organic farm in eastern B.C. every summer.
It's a great program for the kids and the farmers both.
That's a great way to leave home and New Zealand's perfect.
Far away but safe and not too exotic.
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Mark Hudon
Trad climber
Hood River, OR
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From the minute they're born we're teaching them how to survive without us.
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survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
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Way to go Proud Papa!
Way to go Amber! Stretch those wings!
Philo, I have an old friend with a ranch on South Island. His wife is American, from Wyoming.
PM me if you want me to try and help with a hook up.
Peace
B
From the minute they're born we're teaching them how to survive without us.
An old dude I worked for in the military used to say "You spend the first three years trying to teach 'em to stand up and talk, and the next fifteen trying to teach 'em to sit down and shut up!"
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 1, 2013 - 11:40am PT
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Mark Hudon wisely posted;
From the minute they're born we're teaching them how to survive without us.
Mark that is so true. I think i have done a fair to good job on that front. Now who will teach me the corollary? only 20 minutes till touchdown.
Yes Survival I will contact you for that contact. You are the greatest.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Wow!
I bet that reminds a lot of people here of the day when they were 18, or 17 or whatever, and they walked out of their parents' home and into that vast, unknown, exciting future. Like your daughter, we probably thought we knew where we were going, but like us, she'll probably find out that the road forks, and that time after time, the lure of what lies on the unknown fork will be too much to resist.
But that's what life is all about, isn't it.
Best wishes to her, it sounds like she's got a great opportunity.
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SCseagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz
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From the minute they're born we're teaching them how to survive without us.
Yes, and probably harder, is we must learn to survive without them....
Great launching, Philo...she's lovely
Susan
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Anastasia
climber
InLOVEwithAris.
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I am so excited for her and... As a parent, I feel your pain. You are a great man to be able to support her and at the same time let her go. I agree, a safe place to grow, explore, and be apart. Good news is she's coming back and that's everything.
AFS
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scooter
climber
fist clamp
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That is a funny line of thought, travel on an airplane and use tons of natural resources and create extra pollution as well as feed the machine of giant corporations in order to learn how to be an organic farmer in Southern latitudes similar to those found in CA and Washington....There is a WOOfer program above Jackson CA. That being said, if I were going to go on vacation for a year, NZ. would be one of my choices too. She will have quite and adventure.
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 1, 2013 - 12:26pm PT
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Plane on the ground waiting to hear.......crickets.
Scooter i knew someone would raise that point and there is some carbon footprint weight to it.
The reality is that that infrastructure already exists and is being improved and more efficient all the time. We are learning, as Buckminster Fuller said, "to get more from less" all the time. Which is a good thing. Seeing a broader world perspective and creating friendships and working collaborations across International frontiers is an invaluable growth experience. Too many Americans are far too insular in their view and understanding of the world. This will hardly be a vacation for my daughter. This will be real work and real learning.
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Beatrix Kiddo
Mountain climber
ColoRADo
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Nice Phil. Every girl needs a loving father. And the world certainly needs more organic farmers. My oldest is 17. He's a senior. I get anxious when he goes to Red Rocks concerts! We haven't experienced his departure to foreign countries...yet.
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 1, 2013 - 01:06pm PT
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Ghost posted this and it was so 'real' that i warranted it was worth a top o the page re-post bump.
I bet that reminds a lot of people here of the day when they were 18, or 17 or whatever, and they walked out of their parents' home and into that vast, unknown, exciting future. Like your daughter, we probably thought we knew where we were going, but like us, she'll probably find out that the road forks, and that time after time, the lure of what lies on the unknown fork will be too much to resist.
Here is the BLOG her and her friend Moriah have started if you care to follow along.
http://ambermoriah.tumblr.com/
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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AWESOME, Philo!
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scooter
climber
fist clamp
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I used the word "vacation" but I didn't mean it in a laying on the beach sort of way. Nor was I really knocking travel. I just like the circuitous nature that some people take to take a trip. What is the old saying? If you like what you do you will never work a day in your life. With that being said, I hope she is on vacation until she is in her 70's!
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Mark Hudon
Trad climber
Hood River, OR
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Excellent post from Ghost.
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John Mac
Trad climber
Littleton, CO
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Where abouts in NZ is going to be living?
I'm heading down there on Thursday for a couple weeks to catch up with family and friends. If she left anything behind I'd be happy to take it down and post it while in NZ. Be a lot cheaper!
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 1, 2013 - 02:37pm PT
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Thanks John Mac that is a nice offer. She will be working on both islands but starting out around Christchurch. She left Boulder wearing a wool hat and Sorrells and arrived in Fiji to 70 degree weather. It mused me to think that she got to see the sunrise of our tomorrow. I think the only thing she left behind is a hole in my heart filled with empty.
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looking sketchy there...
Social climber
Latitute 33
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Phil, Congratulations on raising an independent and thoughtful young woman.
Parenting is a constant process of letting go, but no matter how old they are, your kids are always your children...and you worry, even if there is little that you can do other than worry (and care, and provide support).
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wbw
Trad climber
'cross the great divide
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Hey Phil,
I can't believe Amber is all grown up. Time flies . .
I can totally relate to your concern; I am terribly overprotective of my daughter, but I'm trying to teach myself better ways to raise her.
My sense is Amber will be fine in NZ. She was raised by two good eggs.
Brad
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 1, 2013 - 04:44pm PT
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Thanks Brad. She should be boarding the flight to Aukland soon. No word yet.
One thing being the parent of adventurous kids has taught me is the stress my willfully carefree life caused my folks.
Sorry Mom & Dad, I couldn't help myself.
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 2, 2013 - 08:26am PT
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Had a wonderful video call with my daughter in New Zealand.
She is frazzled from the four flights but happy and excited.
You go girl!
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Brokedownclimber
Trad climber
Douglas, WY
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Phil-
Congrats on raising such a lovely young woman, and being man enough to let her test her own wings. Heh! A Birthday Daughter! Mine was born on Father's Day! Lift a beer together next HH, compadre!
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 2, 2013 - 10:34am PT
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Rodger that is wild besides Amber and i sharing birthdays my youngest son was also born on father's day.
The fates conspired such that I shall have no excuse for forgetting their birthdays.
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
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Yay, Amber!!! Glad she's safe and off on her amazing adventure...LIFE...what could be more exciting and inspiring than endless possibilities and promise?
And, proud papa, Philo, you have gracefully imparted your wisdom, embraced and supported her as she grew...and given her the ultimate lift-off from which she could spread her wings and FLY...
I hope to walk in your footsteps with the muppet.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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And we all hope for that as well, Odd.
The tired Mom hath spake!
Philo,
Truly, you are turning her loose and that's just the way you need to be. That's what's so cool, not that she's ideal-eyed or out to change the world. It's just real NICE that you could do it so easily and heartily. I've been there and it's a GREAT feeling when they come out the other end of the tunnel you watched them go into...
Light, what light? We bring our own, and you have some great Daddy skills...
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 2, 2013 - 05:29pm PT
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Holy doppleganger Dingus. She is beautiful and they do look a lot a like.
Guido, thank you for the awesome pm.
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 3, 2013 - 01:14am PT
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An update from my daughter's blog.
FEBRUARY 2, 2013
For Dummies: Getting to Middle Earth
Yeah sure it might be Middle Earth. The beautiful and wondrous country we have all watched in films and read in books… it should be as simple as that right? Wrong. Somewhere in my reflecting i have come to realize that both me and Moriah had to be tested to prove our worthiness for this great country… and tested we were.
If i could choose three words to describe the whopping 30 hours i spent traveling to New zealand i would say chaotic, Messy, and Un-expected.
I arrived at DIA at about 1:00p on january 31st. My whole family had come with me to show me off. In the time it took to mearly check-in, my mother had burst into tears 3 times. Im not gonna lie, up until that point i was feeling very numb. But when it came time to go through security i got so nervous and frantic that they let my father walk to my Gate with me, even though Im a of age adult. While going through security, my father set off the alarm, and was pulled into the secret room to be fondled by 2 elderly gentlemen (not the exact start i had planned on). But the found nothing and we continued on. I got to my gate just as they were calling final boarding. I squeezed my father goodbye and climbed aboard. Now, i should say that I’m not a good flyer. I have tremendous anxiety when it comes to planes. Knowing this, my plane pulled away from the gate and seemed to be about to take off, but right as I clamped down on my seat the plane stalled out and we continued to sit on the run way for 30 minutes while they “rebooted the system” (scary right?!). but finally we took off. The flight took a surprisingly short amount of time. Now LAX is one of the biggest airports, and not exactly the most easily navigated, But i had a 5 hour layover. I stumbled around for what felt like the better part of an hour and finally came to the Tom Bradley International terminal. But as it turns out, the check-in for Air Pacific wasn’t even open for another hour. I wandered in a circle for about another 20 minutes, before I convinced myself to go outside and calm my nerves. After killing time for 4 hours, i decided to head to my gate. i was still waiting to hear from Moriah, and when they started boarding the plane and she still wasn’t there my heart began to race. I was half pushed half walked onto the plane and sat in my seat on the upper deck. I called Moriah and hysterically was talking to her and the confused flight attendants. They made me sit down and turn my phone off. I was so scarred when that plane lifted off the ground, and i looked out knowing I was leaving the states for the first time.. and I was leaving alone. Within 5 minutes we were already flying over the ocean and the real adventure had begun. An hour and a half later they began to hand out refreshments. I drank 3 glasses of wine within 20 minutes and finally stared to relax. I dozed off into the strangest sleep i have ever had, and woke about 2 hours out of Fiji. We landed at about 5:15a, it was still heavily dark outside, but it was unusually Hot and humid. while stepping off the plane i looked to my right, and did the biggest double take i have ever done (always tweaked my neck out doing it hehe). Of all the billions and billions of people in the world my brother friend Matt Koch was standing 5 people over from me. ( now everyone should know that i run into Matt everywhere! concerts, stores, Electric Forest, and now Fiji!!) we instantly struck up a conversation and man did it feel wonderful to see a familiar face. It turned out he was headed for NZ as well and we were on the same flight with a 5 hour layover before it. we went to the waiting room and sat down. To our right was a bar, and only then did we remember we weren’t in America. our eyes popped open like those of children on christmas day. we both ran over and started drinking local brews (delicious by the way- if your ever in Fiji try their ‘Fiji Gold’). When it came time to boarding i was feeling very tipsy but luckily was able to switch seats and sit with Matt. We continued to drink the whole 3 hours to Auckland, and so when we finally landed i was hazy and only had 2 hours to say goodbye to Matt, run through customs, re-check my bag and walk the beautiful 15 minutes outside to the domestic terminal. when i got to my gate I had 10 minutes before boarding. I hadn’t had wifi/service since i left LA( i hadn’t even had contact with Moriah), so i made a rushed ‘tango’ call to my dad to let everyone know i was okay. Luckily the beautiful soul called Moriah had been in contact with not only our host family but both of our parents as well. I was apparently being picked up in Christchurch. I boarded my final plane and was so relieved when i landed at about 5:20p on February 2nd. I went to go meet my first host family and collect my bag. I got to where i was supposed to get my bag, i sat and waited.. I waited till there wasn’t even any bags on the conveyor belt anymore. i was so confused. I then turned around and i was the only one in that area. my host family was no where to be seen. I was so exhausted, Nervous, and now completely scared to the point that i sat down on the ground a cried. i was balling so hard the a security guard came over and tried to sooth me. We figured out that my luggage got put on the wrong flight and wasn’t getting to Christchurch until later that night. he then made an announcement on the speakers telling where i was in the airport. within 5 minutes my host mother arrived with her darling children. We drove back to there house which was a breathtaking 35 minute drive outside of the city and to the country. Her husband, Carlos, then went and picked up my bag when it got to the airport. My first night here I got a tour of their beautiful land and my host mother Rachelle made a delicious salmon salad with all fresh ingredients from their garden. They are a wonderful and kind family, who have already made me feel like part of their home. I have been relaxing with with them, their children, Sebastian and Luca are major chatter boxes but adorable none the less. Moriah is supposed to get in at about 2:30p today and we will all go to pick her up.
Im so thankful to be here, in a beautiful country, in a warm home, with gentle people. I’m so thankful that i will be joined by the wonderful Moriah, and that this adventure through middle earth can finally begin. I am also thankful for all the amazing support i feel from back home as well as all my saviors i have met along the way here. i would not be here without all and everyone of you being there for me in my heart.
much love till next time -Amber
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 3, 2013 - 01:44am PT
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Tami you crack me up. Virus carrying meat-flying-tubes...
How much friendlier can the skies get?
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LilaBiene
Trad climber
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Thanks for sharing this, philo. I'm glad to hear that your daughter arrived safely. ")
Amber's descriptions of how she is feeling just brought back a landslide of memories. When I left for Germany to work as an au-pair after graduating from high school (25 years ago?!!!), I was terribly excited about the adventure for months and months, up to and including the flight to Germany...and even after I landed and met the family for whom I would be working. It wasn't until we were walking to the car in the parking garage that I felt like the entire world had dropped out from under me and I had my "What-have-I-done?" moment. The only thing to do was to put one foot in front of the other. The first three months were the toughest. In hindsight and with more life experience now, I know that I was getting used to hearing my own voice -- something I didn't recognize because there had never been another time when family or friends or teachers didn't fill the void.
The blog is awesome. The only time in my life I ever journaled was during those first three months -- they're still around somewhere, but I'll probably never read them again. I used the journals to pour out my heart and transfer all of my fears, sadness, confusion, etc. to paper with the idea that no one would ever read them and it was a "safe" place to express the doubts that lurked in the shadows -- it was the one place I didn't have to keep my "game face" on and it helped me transition to independence realizing that it was okay to have all of these feelings and that they didn't have any more power over me than I chose to give to them.
I can't stand airports, either. Brian Eno's album "Ambient Music for Airports" (or something similar) is great for blocking out all of that random, grating, stress-inducing noise.
Hope you'll share more of your journey!
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Jan
Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
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What a joy to read and I could so empathize with that ghastly journey across the Pacific. Looking forward to hearing more (I've got their blog bookmarked).
Thanks for sharing a wonderful adventure. I'm all for young girls having adventures!
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philo
Trad climber
Is that light the end of the tunnel or a train?
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 6, 2013 - 01:38pm PT
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An Amber update.
From her Tumblr blog.
http://ambermoriah.tumblr.com/
Here are pics of her first host family farm
She and Moriah will put their first two weeks of time here as an orientation,
Here are Amber and Moriah looking very rural.
Here they are gettin' their organic on
Amber feeding the methane dispenser.
The Magnitude 8 earthquake in the Solomons had an Tsunami Watch out for New Zealand through last night. Made me more nervous than her. Probably psyched the surfers.
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