As we continue this journey, my mind goes back to 2005, the year of our first sabbatical to Wageningen, The Netherlands. Wageningen is home to one of the best plant research universities in the world. We also chose it because of our Dutch family ties. I am thankful for my notes since so many details could be easily forgotten.
One entry, dated May 20, reminds me of the ease of moving to another state versus traveling overseas.
It was not a very successful day. We went to register in Wageningen, but we could not since we didn’t have a contract. We also learned that we have to complete huge forms and pay $1,800 in Euros. There goes the Rome trip. A bank account was also denied since Mitch needed a work statement from the university. Discouragement set in like a blanket of fog over the city harbor. How are we going to get that money overseas? I wonder if we should have taken a sabbatical in New York instead??
Another entry, dated May 26, details one adventure I had forgotten.
Today, filled with excitement, we headed to the zoo! We missed the 9:21 bus, so we spent time at a sandbox waiting for the next bus to arrive. Hurray! The 10:20 bus picked us up and we were on our way. Riding the bus, less tiring than walking, provided simple entertainment for the three kids. Once we arrived, my eyes focused on the prices: $16.50 Euros for adult; $13.50 for Chloe/ Caden; Corey- free equaling $53 for one visit. Much to the disappointment of Chloe and Caden, I could not justify the expense. Caden cried and cried. Chloe didn’t say much. Corey sat on a bench, chowing down on raisins. When all the school buses drove in, transporting multitudes of children, Caden agreed that it would have been too crowded. The bus transported us back to Wageningen where we ended the adventure with some ice cream and playground time.
The benefits of taking a sabbatical, however, outweigh the challenges. Traveling overseas with three children, ages 6, 4, and 18 months caused us to step outside our comfort zones, take new risks, and meet new people. I have no doubt that this Michigan adventure will be the same.
A Journey Worth Remembering 