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What Does A World Traveling Dad Look Like? (2011 Edition)

Posted: 08 Jul 2011 07:41 AM PDT

Hello, it’s Drew here again, and it’s time for an updated version of a post I wrote seven months ago on my own modest blog titled What Does A World Traveling Dad Look Like?

Despite the fact that no one in the world is searching for the term “World Traveling Dad” and also despite the original post being a pure vanity piece so I could mug in front of my wife’s camera, when I told her I was thinking of doing an updated version, she told me she wanted it posted here.

I love the way she indulges me.

When I did the original post, Cole was a mere 8 months old, and we were still in our first post-baby-travel country, Colombia. My clothing, my precious clothing was still so fresh, so new, and I thought my microfiber tech-material would last forever.

It did not. My $100 sandals (which I paid $50 for, THANK YOU REI DIVIDEND!) were thrown away weeks later. Apparently expensive leather sandals are better for casual weekend BBQ use, but not as effective when you wear them at every moment of the day you are not asleep. They got funky, Christine’s verdict on them and the general state of my feet came down hard. Everything in that previous post (other than the glasses), even the camera bag, is long, long gone. Thus, you get a nerdy new gear post. PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR THE ITEMIZED FURY.

fatherhood, world traveling dad, stroller, thailand

1 – My glasses, the lone holdover from my original post. Still the Eco 1045 Glasses from before, though I noticed last week that at some point, one of the nose uh, cushions? fell off. My nose doesn’t even notice it though, so I have no idea where it went, or when. They are getting pretty scratched up though, and I will happily be getting contacts again now that we are in Chiang Mai, right after I get my teeth cleaned for the first time in *COUGHCOUGH* years.

2 – This is one of four shirts that I own now, purchased here in Chiang Mai, but from our first visit to Chiang Mai. The thing has pit-stains now and needs to be replaced immediately, but I do love it. It’s an illustration of dozens of cars all congested in terrible traffic, and was extremely popular with Indians and Egyptians, who all assumed I must have bought the shirt in their country. Nope, sorry!

3 – A bracelet that Christine bought for me on Baga Beach in Goa, India. I think we paid two bucks for it. Since then, I have seen similar bracelets for sale in several places. In Aegina, Greece, they go for about three freaking Euro. I am happy I got mine for just over $2 US, and I am positive we still overpaid for it.

4 – It’s my Man-Purse! But now, instead of traveling around India with it, I now lug diapers, wipes and baby toys. It’s glamorous, I know. I would like to now compare myself to Indiana Jones, who also had a murse, or satchel, or whatever you want to call it, but as everybody now knows, he was a deadbeat dad who never walked his son around, wiping his poopy butt and making sure his needs were met. Good work there, Indy.

5 – This is a collection of trinkets that has grown extremely organically over time. It started as a keychain, but has gotten preposterously out of hand as we keep traveling. I never go anywhere with Cole without having it near, as he likes to blow the safety whistle that is on it from time to time, and I think the jingle-jangle soothes him as we walk. Keep reading for an in-depth description of this stuff (You must really lurve lists to continue to that section. Be warned!)

6 – Shorts, purchased in Spain during my least favorite travel day ever. We were so God damned happy after buying these shorts (bringing my shorts having total to 2), we had no idea the hellish day we were in for.

7 – Sandals purchased for 13 Euro in Aegina, Greece. Everything is so damned expensive in Greece, after Southeast Asia/India buying these was like a splash of cold water to the face. It was that or 25 Euros for Billabong brand, but I don’t surf.

8 – Walker! Also purchased in Aegina for about 45 Euro, this thing is cheap, and pretty beat up at this point, but was an incredible investment that I almost left behind at the airport once. Cole loves riding in the thing, often putting one foot up on the seat, giving the impression of being some sort of cocky pimp. Our backs thanked us the day we bought this.

9 – A child. Having one in the shot helps with the whole narrative of what I am laying out for you. I am sure you agree.

10 – A landmark of some sort – In this case, Kad Suan Kaew, the mall that is incredibly close to where we live. When the photo was taken, they were setting up their weekly night market, where you can get some of the best food you will find in Chiang Mai (spoiler – they also sell crickets and assorted bugs)

And that’s that! Sadly, large amounts of Chiang Mai were not made with strollers in mind, which occasionally means I have to remember to bend at the knees, rather than at the waist.

fatherhood, world traveling dad, stroller, thailand

Bonus supplemental material! The Traveler’s Keychain.

I try not to get cocky about this thing, but this is the only place I can show it off, and as I type this, Christine is napping with Cole so DON’T YOU GO TELLING HER I AM BLABBING ABOUT SILLY THINGS. For the uber list/gear nerds, here is what I have collected over the last seven months of traveling with this little monkey of a child:

world traveling dad, keychain, collection, collecting,

1 – A key ring with Cole’s name on it, made for us by someone on Baga Beach, but done in secret, commissioned by the excellent fellows who wait tables at our favorite beach shack in India. A truly sweet gift that I will treasure for as long as I am able.

2 – A key ring given to us by our Goan landlord who looked like a crime kingpin. The man was epically Catholic, it reads: “In remembrance of my first Holy Communion. Suzen” I’m uh, not sure we were meant to leave with this thing still on us. Sorry Suzen.

3 – A key to an incredibly rusty padlock that I accidentally procured in Arambol, India. Noteworthy for being the only key on the keychain.

4 – A safety whistle that some middle aged English woman we ran into in Rishikesh gave to Cole because he showed interest in it hanging from her bag. It was in rough shape when we got it, but he doesn’t seem to have picked up any diseases that you wouldn’t find in India anyway. Cole loves it.

5 – A mini Eiffel Tower, bought under the actual Eiffel Tower for one Euro.

6 – A keychain brought back to us from Mongolia by our friend and fellow travel blogger Pam. Thanks Pam! We still have the camel too!

7 – An anklet that Christine was strong armed into buying at the Wednesday night market in Anjuna, India. I lost sight of Christine for maybe three seconds and when I caught up to her, she had the anklet around her ankle with a guy in full-on-sales pitch. She didn’t want the thing, and looked up and me and said “Help!” My response? “What? YOU let the guy put it on your ankle! What do you want me to do?” As a “path of least resistance” guy, naturally, I bought it.

8 – A mini Taj Majal. When the hawker in Agra tried to put it in Cole’s hand as I walked with him in my arms down the street, I saw red. When Cole was interested, I reluctantly said “How much?” he wanted 80 rupee (slightly under $2 US) I laughed and said no way. I didn’t want the thing anyway and was angry at him for manipulating my son. He asked for a counter offer. Looking at it, I said “I’ll pay ten rupees for this” thinking the low amount would insult him enough to leave me alone. He made a counter, I said no. Another. No. Another. “I don’t want it man!” Fine, ten rupees. Ugh, okay.

But now it’s on the key chain, which is pretty cool and not something I considered when negotiations started.

9 – A D-clip from Burning Man – A child dressed as a lizard “gifted” this to me at Burning Man, I guess because I really wanted to take his picture. I didn’t have a gift back for him other than a truly earnest thanks in return. Burning Man was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me, mostly because I don’t expect I will return there in my lifetime. Truly unique, and I am happy we did it, but a little too intense to bring an infant to. Not because he couldn’t handle it though, but because my worrying ass could not.

That’s all from me. If you like this, expect that you will read this again in a year. In the meantime, here are some other traveling parents:

Family on Bikes - What Does a World Cycling Dad Look Like?

Travels With a Nine Year Old - What Does A Travelling Single Mum Look Like?

Our Travel Lifestyle - What Does a World Travelling Working Dad Look Like?

Edventure Project – What Does a Traveling Dad Look Like?