Raising optimists

An odd thing has come to pass.  Lately I have been feeling worn down.  In response to my disenchanted comments regarding trash or traffic, there are comments from the peanut gallery.  Addie defends Phnom Pen, saying its a great city as I stare at piles of garbage and bricks that block the sidewalk that force us to walk in the street.  She is almost hurt that I would insult Cambodia and wonders aloud “What is wrong with it, it’s really nice” and then gives me a disappointed glance.  I smile inwardly at the change in my children’s perspective.  This is normal, this is fine.  Our endless lectures about positive attitude and keeping your negative complaints inside your head, are actually becoming a part of their core, how they see the world.  Big bowls of noodles and mystery meat are greeted with smiles and anticipation, not apprehension that would have marked the reaction at the beginning of our travels.

Today we are in Kuala Lumpur, staying on the twentieth floor of a highrise.  Yesterday when we arrived at the airport, I felt like we had returned to America.  It is very western here, clean bright stores with plenty of items for sale.  There are no cows in the road.  Everyone drives the right direction.  Living here, we are on an island of buildings, walking is difficult and Malls are the town center.  Getting ready for our trek in Nepal we have pledged to take the stairs up twenty floors instead of the elevator.  Today, my children state excitedly that we are going to run up the stairs three times, up to the thirty-seventh floor.  I shake my head, I am not running up thirty flights of stairs.  Lucky if I make it up walking.

Jack has voluntarily given up his device and video games and You tube videos.  He decided that this trip was too important to spend time looking at a screen.  As parents we marvel.  The device has been put away.

Yesterday in the elevator, we befriended the waiter of the restaurant at the base of the condo.  He was the nicest and friendliest guy.  We proceeded to go to the restaurant.  It was empty, and sterile, the menu limited.  We then had the worst meal of our trip.  gelatinous vegetables, soggy french fries with a hint of rancid, oily curry and a chicken patty that was as hard as a disk.  Even the Coke was flat and watery.  As I marveled at just how bad the food was, my children rallied and refused to say anything negative.   I was hushed so as not to hurt the waiter’s feelings. Jack ate his whole meal with a smile and even Addie proceeded to eat her chicken even though it was really too spicy.  It was not until we were safely out of ear shot that both children admitted that the food was not good.  Even though the food was nearly inedible, it turned out to be one of the best meal experiences.  I loved that my kids were so concerned about not hurting the staff’s feelings that they remained positive throughout the meal.

Our trip is having profound effects on us and we are learning so much about the world and ourselves.  Now we fly to Nepal and I have no idea what to expect.