Tag Archives: read

Oribi Mom, Travelinds

Oribi Mom: Escape the World – Read!

“Read wherever you can, even if it’s pouring with rain.”

The privilege of reading in a campsite next to Lake Navaisha, Kenya. Photo By: Heather Lind

 

November 2, 2023

There’s not much time to read these days. It used to be easy, grabbing a book in the evenings after a day of teaching or reading a quick few pages on the subway as we travelled up to Seoul or Pyeongtaek for various reasons. The ultimate relaxation was lying on a rickety lounger or a colourful towel with salt spray in my face. I’d fliick though an old, yellowed novel that I’d found on a resort’s shelf nearby or swapped with another traveller.

A Winter Escape With Piles of Books

There was one winter holiday where we had a few days off and couldn’t stand to be in -10 degrees for another second more than necessary. So, we hopped onto the cheapest flight we could find and headed south to The Philippines. In that case, it was to an island called Virac. The flights were cheap because it was the rainy season in that area, but who cares.

We took rain jackets, quick-drying shorts, and waterproof hand luggage. It absolutely poured when we arrived, and continued to do so for the whole week we were there. Since we needed rest more than adventure for those few days, we made full use of the hut on stilts we slept in with bamboo floors and a big mozzie net. And then we found the books.

Without much Wi-Fi around, even Oribi Dad got stuck into the whodunnits, corporate thrillers, and spies on offer. Days and days and days of reading, interspersed by meals of freshly caught crayfish… I mean who can really complain about a little bit of torrential rain?

Travelling To Tropical Islands Just To Read Books? Why Not

That happened to be a world-famous surfing beach with a festival of hundreds of people in July. But in January, we saw one other family arrive the entire time we were there.

The family who owned the five huts at our ‘resort’ seemed confused about why we were there. They kept apologising for the big box of books that were still wet from flooding before we arrived. We were glad that we could contribute to their income while getting a holiday out of it ourselves. And they made the most delicious crayfish and fresh fish meals for us every day.

When I pick up a book back at home, that’s the memory it triggers. Well, that, and the many other places I’ve been privileged enough to read books in. May there be many more in this lifetime!

Published here.

Oribi Mom

Oribi Mom: Walk Around In Other People’s Skins a Little More

“The questions have levelled up to some insightful dilemmas, too. “Mama, why did Lowly worm have to save Sea Captain Tilly from drowning? She’s a hippo!””

Empathy and compassion and love are not easy when it means that our own comfort is in jeopardy, but that’s what makes life richer. PHOTO BY MATHYAS KURMANN on UNSPLASH

October 21, 2021 

I have always loved to read. Lately, I have been appreciating this special gift as I start to read more interesting books to my children. Leveling up to actual stories feels like quite an achievement as we move beyond short, punchy sentences.

When you have been stuck behind books that count to 10 or describe colourful pictures like something big and blue, it seems like something to celebrate when you can see Edward Bear bumping down the staircase in your child’s imagination. We’ve moved from ‘shiny train’ to all the amazing fishes in McElligot’s pool and Nutkin’s brush with Old Brown.

The questions have levelled-up to some insightful dilemmas, too. “Mama, why did Lowly worm have to save Sea Captain Tilly from drowning? She’s a hippo!”

Bet you never thought of that, Mr Richard Scarry.

Reading Is Such an Adventure, Isn’t It?

One of my adult reads was a classic that included the quote from Atticus, the father in Harper Lee’s How to Kill a Mockingbird. He told his feisty daughter not to judge another person until she had a chance to ‘…climb into his skin and walk around in it.’

I have also seen this empathy echoed in my son’s little stories and it opens doors to some hard conversations. Why should Grandma Tildy take the elephant in from the cold when it will eat all her winter rations and break through her old floorboards?

Why, indeed.

Walking Around in Other People’s Shoes Isn’t Always Comfortable

Empathy and compassion and love are not easy when it means that our own comfort is in jeopardy, but that’s what makes life richer.

Is someone you know pushing against the vaccine? Walk around in their skin a little more to understand why.

Are you angry that someone you’re close to is not yet registered to vote? Delve deeper, but do it gently.

Your choices are not your neighbour’s but we are all happier when there are dialogues, open questions, and kindness enough to see it from another angle.

If we disagree, we are human. If we still remain friends, we are better humans.

A Little Compassion Can Change a Life – Your Own Included

I don’t know why Grandma Tildy told the elephant he could come inside from the snowstorm – he ate all her food, broke her floor, and couldn’t get out the door.

But, when he carried her house on his back, all the way to a warmer place, it doesn’t seem so crazy.

Maybe, we should rather talk to the white elephant in the room and see if it can take us to greener pastures.

Published here.