Welcome to my first ever POST. This summer will be one to remember for a long time for me. My youngest son, Darshil went off to Ecuador for four weeks without Mum, Dad or Brother!
He was away with three other children from Newcastle to a CISV (Children’s International Summer Village) camp to meet up with another forty 11-12 year olds from ten different countries. My heart
sank as we got to Newcastle Airport to drop him off with his fun loving leader Richard, but soon was reassured by his happy and eager smile to get going! He was not allowed any form of communication except from a couple of emails.
My son a young boy at the beginning of the summer holidays and returned a young man.
A 60 SECOND INTERVIEW WITH DARSHIL
What was your most memorable time at the camp?
“Waking up one morning, going to flag time and fellow camper said look up at the flag and to my shock I saw my luminous green boxers flapping in the wind next to the Ecuador and
Quito Flags.”
What Interesting fact did you learn about Ecuador?
“We stayed in Quito, known as the middle of the Earth. You can balance an egg on a nail as the forces of gravity are weaker!
What was your favourite part of the day?
“Lullabies.” He went on to explain this was all forty children getting together at bedtime to sing songs relating to International friendships, peace and love. He mentioned a few favourites to our surprise……. John Denver – Leaving on a Jet Plane, The Beatles – Imagine, Michael Jackson – We Are The World and Cat Stevens – Father and Son.
What a joy singing old classics with my 11 year old man!
What new games did you learn?
Cheekily he replies “Soccer because we’ve only heard of football in England!”
Memories to Treasure
While Darshil was in Ecuador my parents-in-law decided to travel up from London to spend some quality time with Bhavik my 14 year old. They have lived in England for over 35 years and focused on giving their time, love and energy to others first. So my husband was overjoyed to have them stay with us and we had the privilege to take them to their first ever visit to the beautiful Lake District! The two days and one night stay was worth every second.
The Shap Wells Hotel situated in a secluded and wooded valley. The sound of a mountain stream at breakfast, a little stroll into the nearby woodland and my first ever sighting of a Red Squirrels, shooting long stem handmade grass arrows made by Bhavik to see who could shoot them the furthest.
My favourite being watching my mother-in-law completely relaxed and in the moment.
What was your story this summer?
Sunglasses are certainly creating a stir at Vision Clinic. Thanks to my brother Kushil introducing the collection of Maui Jim Polarised sunglasses. They have been the source of endless joy to us because of the stories and adventures clients have shared with us from their travels. The colour, clarity and detail is amazing, even if I say so myself. Earlier in the year we were in Lanzarote and stayed by the sea. What beautiful different shades of blue I was able to distinguish. As I kept going on about this, my husband hijacked my purple Maui Jims to see what all the fuss was about. Needless to say he owns a pair now (pleased not purple!).
To everyone enjoying their Maui Jims, we look forward to hearing YOUR story from this summer.
Ponder this……. Visiting my sister in hospital this summer, I came across a nurse from South India and we got chatting. She has been working in London a year now, sending money back home to her elderly mother who is looking after her one year old son. For me four weeks without Darshil was unbearable, imagine a full year without seeing your baby boy. HATS OFF!!