A quick personal note on family, travel, and learning
The last two years, we’ve been lucky enough to do something I don’t take for granted. We’ve pulled our kids out of school and gone somewhere new for an extended stretch.
Two years ago was Buenos Aires. Big city, energy, constant movement.
Last year was Puerto Viejo. Small beach town, slower, a little gritty in the best way.
Both were amazing. Completely different, but both exactly what we needed at the time.
This year, we’re aiming for something in between. The plan, if everything lines up, is Panama City.
And what’s pulling us there is actually pretty simple. It’s our kids.
One of my sons is all in on baseball. The other is deep into robotics.
One of my sons is all in on baseball. The other is deep into robotics.
Panama happens to be one of the few Latin American countries where baseball is part of the culture. And Panama City has a really active youth robotics community.
So for the first time, this decision feels less about where we want to go, and more about where they can plug in.
When you think about extended travel, the easy thing is to fall into the expat bubble. You find people like you, you speak English, and before you know it, you’re basically living the same life in a different location.
But that’s not really the point for us.
We want to be in it. We want to speak the language. We want our kids to experience what it actually feels like to live somewhere else.
We want to be in it. We want to speak the language. We want our kids to experience what it actually feels like to live somewhere else.
What we’ve found is there are really two ways to do that.
The first is through community, often through religion. If you share a belief system, people are incredibly open. You get invited in. You celebrate holidays together. You build real relationships pretty quickly.
The second is through what your kids are naturally drawn to.
Sports. Activities. The things they already love.
Sports. Activities. The things they already love.
That’s where things start to click.
Yeah, expats play sports. There are robotics clubs everywhere. But when your kids are doing those things with local kids, that’s different. That’s where the real experience happens.
So this year, we’re trying to line it up so one son can play in a local Panamanian Little League, and the other can get involved in the local robotics scene.
Not just to participate, but to build friendships. To be part of something. To understand a place from the inside, not the outside.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what these trips are really about.
Because at the end of the day, that’s what these trips are really about.
Not just seeing a place.
Actually living in it, even if just for a little while.
Actually living in it, even if just for a little while.
