Have no passport, didn’t go or through, but had them come to me. Which I highly recommend. I was newly divorced, had two growing teenage boys and a new baby, a big house and no money. What is a mother to do…but rent out rooms. Not to just anybody but to foreign college students. An education far beyond a cruise ship, book, or any internet streaming. This was first hand, on the spot learning for me, my family and my renters. Joining cultures in a living situation was awe inspiring, unbelievable learning, and just plain fun. The countries were Australia, England, India, Iran, and Korea. We shared cultures, customs, recipes, languages, politics, and items never made public. My refrigerator became a United Nations gastronomic delight! When we all ran out of money we combined our foods together…shrimp on the barby dipped in kimchow with a side order of curried rice and a potato dumplings was a culinary delight. Combined with international chatter hit the heights of enjoyment. I can’t measure the amount of learning/understanding and sheer pleasure we all
gained but I’m sure it enriched our lives greatly. Little did we know just how much our international information was absorbed by the little one but when he entered school he became the history go-to boy, as he would give lectures on these countries. The teacher thought we had traveled extensively. I still get occasional e-mails from my extended families keeping me up to date on their lives. What is an unhappy time in some woman’s memory is a joyful memory for me.
Passport not Required by Elissa Jung
October 4, 2020 by ElderChicks
8 Responses
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Elissa, This is just what I needed to read today – a beautiful reminder of how important personal interactions are in how we really learn about the world and about ourselves in the process. Thanks so much for this great story. BTW I still treasure a little gift given to me by the Yugoslavian student staying with friends I visited in L.A. over thirty years ago. She and the Japanese and Swedish students they hosted enriched the lives of their own children so much.
I am in awe of your courage and curiosity – especially at the uncertainty in front of you at that time. Sharing this time of your life gives me inspiration and courage to live my life. Much appreciated.
Cathy, Thanks for the good words but I do not deserve your awe for courage. I have been labeled a risk taker. My method of jump and then think relies heavily on instinct. This is not a practice I recommend to others. Unless your gut directs your life, think first. Looking back over my life, I have won some and lost a few, about 85% to the good. In retrospect I could have landed in jail or tarred and feathered and run out of town! Luck was with me. I made it thru unharmed TO JUMP ANOTHER DAY! It has been an interesting life. Going forward in today’s world I would change the word instinct to pivot with careful thought.
At my age I have one foot in the past (cloth napkins and handwritten thank yous), two feet standing on a platform of ball bearing and one foot planning for my summer cottage on Mars. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT JUMP.
Just what I needed today, missing my travels during these times. Thanks, stay safe😷😷.
Thank you for sharing your experience. A bright spot of ingenuity combined with openness to new experiences and people. Loved it!
Talk about making lemonade! Good for you and very inspiring
What a beautiful inspiring idea. I have I considered doing this if I am left a widow. I love my house and don’t want to leave it.
Love your creatively upbeat take on countering life’s circumstances and turning lemons into lemonade! What a joyful adventure you made of your great journey. Keep it going and please continue to share! Best wishes to you as you go forward.