Meeting the Hemingways

What an amazing family.  I was introduced to the voice and life of Erik Hemingway and his family about two years ago when I discovered his podcast, Family Adventure Podcast.  His show is dedicated towards helping families make the big leap to travel and he interviews traveling families around the world.  This show provides inspiration, ideas and resources to families on the go.  In 2008 Erik and his wife Rachel traveled internationally for five years. They lived over a year in Costa Rica and three years on a 300 sft sailboat, sailing the Mediterranean and even crossing the Atlantic Ocean.  They currently have six children, spanning ages 7 to early 22 and live in North Carolina.  On the boat they sailed with five children, and Rachel had a sixth baby while in Israel.  Listening to the podcast, I would surround myself with the voices of families that Erik interviewed, creating a virtual community for myself while I planned our own exodus.  Unless you are planning a trip like this, the logistics and intricacies that fill your mind are of little interest to others.  I needed to hear the thoughts and ideas of people who had actually done it or were actively traveling with their families.  I knew that Erik and his family were planning a new trip to SE Asia starting in December.  I had been in email contact with him and hoped to connect with him and his family in Asia.  And we did!

Erik and Rachel are accompanied by Miles (7), Zoe (11), Lily (13) and Emma (17).

These children have visited over 25 countries and present a sophistication and worldliness that is uncanny.  They are really great, and Erik and Rachel have done a excellent job in creating generous, kind and interesting humans.  A parenting goal that we all have.  We really enjoyed being with them.  We met them for a few meals and also went on an adventure to see the Chiang Dao caves which was over a two-hour city bus ride outside of Chiang Mai.  We hitchhiked, rode in the back of truck, traded travel stories and watched the kids be silly together.  I am so happy to have met this very special family and hope our paths cross again.

Thank You Erik and Rachel for taking the time and energy to not only share your own story but also give a voice to all the families out there that have chosen the world to be the classroom which educates their children.  Like you I believe that cultural exchange is the best way to impart the values of love, generosity and acceptance.

More amazing images captured on our adventure to Chiang Dao

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