Observations on London, Travel, & Family
Disclaimer: I am NOT an expert on traveling or family. However, I do adore both. Ergo, below are a few simple observations thus far into the two week holiday portion of our summer in Europe on flights, clothes, sight-seeing, lodging, and the view of it all from a child's eyes.
For months leading up to this Ed-venture we tried to prep the kids with dialogue (kid translation: monologue), stories, videos and history lessons on the places we would see and live. We also enlisted their assistance in booking flights, choosing Airbnb's, and voting on which historic sites they would like to visit.
However, I don't know how helpful this was as I looked down at Landon who had a death grip on my hand as we maneuvered our way through a sea of people in the underground subway of London. While I searched signs, he stared at belts & bellies as they pushed past us.
When he's on overload, he strikes, particularly with food. He's been living off mostly yogurt and granola since the day we left. Any shop we go into for sustenance he b-lines it for the yogurt exhaling as he brings it back to the counter. Familiarity in a cup.
Someday he'll be thankful for this experience. Right?
Lily is different-straight up teenager. I'm watching her watch others more than she watches Chris and I. Her eyes used to only look at us-reading our reactions so she would know how to react, taking our words in and making them her own. She is beginning to translate her own experiences, which I love. She's also a WIFI finding ninja. I look back at her to get her food order only to find her entrenched in online life. Her first comment after our first night walking the streets of London was, "Mom, it's like we landed in one of your movies." Yep, I'm a BBC Masterpiece junkie.
Clara is our thoughtful one. More thoughtful in foreign settings. I think she enjoys the castles and art with me more than the others do. I love watching her take it all in. I know she only shares a fraction of her thoughts with me. I pray the Lord is continually in her mind breathing truth into all her musings.
Asher is up for whatever, where ever. He's the wild card. We look away and he's off looking at something else. He's happy as long as he's fed and can jungle gym out his energy at least once a day.
I think I can confidently say we like traveling together. Chris keeps everything fun and lighthearted. While I'm checking tickets, trains, food, he's ensconced himself in silliness to satisfy the kids who otherwise may be a bit nervous given unfamiliar surroundings. He's also the one making the kids laugh and talk while we are out. I'm the one continually shushing them with fire shooting from my eyeballs. It takes two.
Below are a few tidbits (and pictures) I picked up while organizing travel for a family of six. I hope you find them useful.
Flights
Norwegian Airlines took us across the pond. We chose one carry-on per person and no meals. A carry-on roughly the size of a backpack (21.5"x 15.7"x 9") is free, anything more = $$. We also went the carry-on only route because in two weeks we will have traveled with five different airlines and walked around one hundred miles. I'd rather not lug luggage over cobble stone streets, onto boats, and up staircases. Because we all know who ends up dragging the children's bags around-pack horse Ma & Pa.
Also, we chose not to have in-flight meals (6 people x $45 = $270). Norwegians are serious. I secretly thought we would still get juice and pretzels. Nope. No beverages, coffee, tea, pretzels. Nada. Also, $5 for a blanket. Lastly, the gentlemen in front of me had the added massaging pressure of my knees in his back. He should've had to pay me.
Airbnb vs. Hotel
Reasons we chose Airbnb
1. With six people, most hotels require a two-room booking unless booking a suite.
2. Less expensive (for what we wanted).
3. Meals (breakfast daily and and some dinners).
4. Laundry. We get stinky fast.
5. The delightful experience of living like a local Londoner. Riding the tube, then a bus to our flat in a working neighborhood lends us the opportunity to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste real bits of London. For instance, what a treat to watch two people apprehended for shoplifting before our very eyes at the local grocery store. In addition, the kids have never stayed in a place that requires three different doors with locks leading up to a cozy 3rd floor flat where we can open our windows out onto the roof to let the smell of marijuana waft right up our stairs and out those rooftop windows. Wouldn't get that at a snazzy hotel.
The kids like snug. They prefer us squeezed into a living space all sleeping and eating together. I remember when we returned last year from our Family DTS. All of us (well, except for Chris) felt our house was way too big. Landon likes to point out that small space living also means less cleaning and electricity.
Notes in Airbnb's
Clothing
Admittedly, I am the ONLY ONE concerned about this in our family. They would wear the same thing regardless of culture, climate, and social cues. I spent weeks fussing over what to pack for everyone that would be durable for multiple wears and simple but didn't scream tourist. Cheeky how much effort I put into making us look like we weren't trying.
For two weeks in London, Denmark, Rome, and Venice where temperatures range from 60's-90's each of us packed
Why do I emphasis Chacos?
Because, from what I've seen in London, absolutely NOBODY wears the sporty sandal. Seriously, I've never had so many people look at my feet, then at my face, then away. A kid pointed at our sandal clad feet today and rambled off to his mother in another language to which she responded the way all moms do when their kids point out something embarrassing. Actually, the only sandals I have seen were on an old woman-Chris thinks she was an American. It's all loafers, slip-ons, tennies, etc.
And nary a short wearer in the girls/women either. Granted, it's June, in the 60's-low 70's, and threatens to rain daily, so I'll give them that. Oh, and color. Basics, baby. Black, grey, a little white, dark blues, neutrals. Mostly black. Nothing flashy, colorful, no bold prints or athletic leggings. It literally feels like I walked onto a Pinterest board.
On Saturday we headed out to Hampton Court Palace, about a 45 minute train ride outside of London proper. Dress was different out there. Weekend? Outside the city? Maybe. Sundresses, more relaxed clothing, some dressy sandals.
When in doubt tout black. Black shirt, black pants, black shoes.
Phones & WIFI
No need for an international calling/data plan (yet). We snag WIFI almost anywhere in the city. When we have it, we take pictures of our directions and routes. However, this is with Verizon. I've recently learned that T-Mobile offers unlimited international data. Also, with apps like Marco Polo, WhatsApp, and Messenger to name a few we can stay in contact with almost anyone. Except my Dad-he says his phone failed the smart test.
Things We Didn't Know
Transportation in London
Leaving fish and chips, bangers and mash, and afternoon tea and biscuits behind us, we now turn to Danishes and Legos in Denmark.
Love you all.
Running beside you,
Johanna
For months leading up to this Ed-venture we tried to prep the kids with dialogue (kid translation: monologue), stories, videos and history lessons on the places we would see and live. We also enlisted their assistance in booking flights, choosing Airbnb's, and voting on which historic sites they would like to visit.
However, I don't know how helpful this was as I looked down at Landon who had a death grip on my hand as we maneuvered our way through a sea of people in the underground subway of London. While I searched signs, he stared at belts & bellies as they pushed past us.
Landon is my "We're doomed." guy. He is sure we aren't going to make it-anywhere. If we do, we'll be late, or miss what we are supposed to see altogether. A common phrase coming from his sweet seven year old mouth as we shuffled from one place to another was, "We're not gonna make it."
When he's on overload, he strikes, particularly with food. He's been living off mostly yogurt and granola since the day we left. Any shop we go into for sustenance he b-lines it for the yogurt exhaling as he brings it back to the counter. Familiarity in a cup.
Someday he'll be thankful for this experience. Right?
Lily is different-straight up teenager. I'm watching her watch others more than she watches Chris and I. Her eyes used to only look at us-reading our reactions so she would know how to react, taking our words in and making them her own. She is beginning to translate her own experiences, which I love. She's also a WIFI finding ninja. I look back at her to get her food order only to find her entrenched in online life. Her first comment after our first night walking the streets of London was, "Mom, it's like we landed in one of your movies." Yep, I'm a BBC Masterpiece junkie.
Clara is our thoughtful one. More thoughtful in foreign settings. I think she enjoys the castles and art with me more than the others do. I love watching her take it all in. I know she only shares a fraction of her thoughts with me. I pray the Lord is continually in her mind breathing truth into all her musings.
Asher is up for whatever, where ever. He's the wild card. We look away and he's off looking at something else. He's happy as long as he's fed and can jungle gym out his energy at least once a day.
Below are a few tidbits (and pictures) I picked up while organizing travel for a family of six. I hope you find them useful.
Flights
- Skyscanner.com and google flights were my besties. These two sites afforded the opportunity to see how much flights cost on each day of the month. We chose London because it was the cheapest.
- Traveling in the low peak months also drastically cuts costs.
- One-way tickets were less expensive than roundtrip tickets.
- Book flights during the week, prices are higher when you search on the weekends. Search in incognito mode.
Norwegian Airlines took us across the pond. We chose one carry-on per person and no meals. A carry-on roughly the size of a backpack (21.5"x 15.7"x 9") is free, anything more = $$. We also went the carry-on only route because in two weeks we will have traveled with five different airlines and walked around one hundred miles. I'd rather not lug luggage over cobble stone streets, onto boats, and up staircases. Because we all know who ends up dragging the children's bags around-pack horse Ma & Pa.
Also, we chose not to have in-flight meals (6 people x $45 = $270). Norwegians are serious. I secretly thought we would still get juice and pretzels. Nope. No beverages, coffee, tea, pretzels. Nada. Also, $5 for a blanket. Lastly, the gentlemen in front of me had the added massaging pressure of my knees in his back. He should've had to pay me.
Airbnb vs. Hotel
Reasons we chose Airbnb
1. With six people, most hotels require a two-room booking unless booking a suite.
2. Less expensive (for what we wanted).
3. Meals (breakfast daily and and some dinners).
4. Laundry. We get stinky fast.
5. The delightful experience of living like a local Londoner. Riding the tube, then a bus to our flat in a working neighborhood lends us the opportunity to see, hear, smell, touch, and taste real bits of London. For instance, what a treat to watch two people apprehended for shoplifting before our very eyes at the local grocery store. In addition, the kids have never stayed in a place that requires three different doors with locks leading up to a cozy 3rd floor flat where we can open our windows out onto the roof to let the smell of marijuana waft right up our stairs and out those rooftop windows. Wouldn't get that at a snazzy hotel.
The kids like snug. They prefer us squeezed into a living space all sleeping and eating together. I remember when we returned last year from our Family DTS. All of us (well, except for Chris) felt our house was way too big. Landon likes to point out that small space living also means less cleaning and electricity.
Notes in Airbnb's
- Book early. Like MONTHS early. I finally settled on our London B&B on March 31st (for June 19th). When I went to book it, it was one of two left in our price range and it's about a 35-minute walk, bus, tube ride to downtown London where the sites are.
- Linens (sheets & towels) may not be included. If they aren't listed, ask.
Clothing
Admittedly, I am the ONLY ONE concerned about this in our family. They would wear the same thing regardless of culture, climate, and social cues. I spent weeks fussing over what to pack for everyone that would be durable for multiple wears and simple but didn't scream tourist. Cheeky how much effort I put into making us look like we weren't trying.
For two weeks in London, Denmark, Rome, and Venice where temperatures range from 60's-90's each of us packed
- 3-4 bottoms
- 4-5 tops
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- Rain jacket
- One pair of pants
- A conservative shirt for cathedrals (some have dress codes-no visible knees or shoulders)
- A pair of sandals. Chacos to be exact.
- 2 airplane blankets
Why do I emphasis Chacos?
Because, from what I've seen in London, absolutely NOBODY wears the sporty sandal. Seriously, I've never had so many people look at my feet, then at my face, then away. A kid pointed at our sandal clad feet today and rambled off to his mother in another language to which she responded the way all moms do when their kids point out something embarrassing. Actually, the only sandals I have seen were on an old woman-Chris thinks she was an American. It's all loafers, slip-ons, tennies, etc.
And nary a short wearer in the girls/women either. Granted, it's June, in the 60's-low 70's, and threatens to rain daily, so I'll give them that. Oh, and color. Basics, baby. Black, grey, a little white, dark blues, neutrals. Mostly black. Nothing flashy, colorful, no bold prints or athletic leggings. It literally feels like I walked onto a Pinterest board.
On Saturday we headed out to Hampton Court Palace, about a 45 minute train ride outside of London proper. Dress was different out there. Weekend? Outside the city? Maybe. Sundresses, more relaxed clothing, some dressy sandals.
When in doubt tout black. Black shirt, black pants, black shoes.
Phones & WIFI
No need for an international calling/data plan (yet). We snag WIFI almost anywhere in the city. When we have it, we take pictures of our directions and routes. However, this is with Verizon. I've recently learned that T-Mobile offers unlimited international data. Also, with apps like Marco Polo, WhatsApp, and Messenger to name a few we can stay in contact with almost anyone. Except my Dad-he says his phone failed the smart test.
Things We Didn't Know
- Big Ben (or the Elizabeth Tower) is encased in scaffolding for three years due to repairs. All that is visible is one beautiful clock face.
- Buckingham Palace is only available for tours in July and August and they fill months in advance.
- The kids were looking forward to the Whispering Gallery at St. Paul's Cathedral. Only once we arrived did we learn that it is closed for refurbishments (said with an English accent).
- Another nugget we didn't know until a local informed us is the best way to see the skyline of London is by taking advantage of the free ride up to one of the top floors of the 95 story Shard building in downtown London rather than doing what we did, which was pay to take a 30-minute ride on the London Eye.
- All museums are FREE.
- Lastly, after I had booked our tickets for the last place we were to visit in London, I stumbled across something known as the London Pass. The London Pass allows a person to see multiple attractions at a reduced, bundled price. Oops.
Transportation in London
- Get an Oyster Card. It's a reloadable card that works on the trains, buses, and even the Thames (pronounced Tems) River boat cruises.
- Don't talk on trains. Seriously. Zip it. No laughing, tickling, impersonating, doing pull ups on the bars-these are frowned upon from what I've experienced (Fun Dad). In the evenings there was more chit chat.
- Escalators: Stand on the right, walk on the left-or die.
Leaving fish and chips, bangers and mash, and afternoon tea and biscuits behind us, we now turn to Danishes and Legos in Denmark.
Love you all.
Running beside you,
Johanna
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