Here is the second half of last weeks interview with my friend and fellow traveling mama Madelon Galland...
©Madelon Galland
R: What has been the most difficult part of traveling with Clovis?
M: Giving up my preferences, my personal interests and trying to focus on making it a family trip has been the biggest change for me. When I put my kid first its fine, but if I have an agenda of my own it always gets complicated. As it wasn’t until I was 40 that I became a mother, I had gotten very attached to my autonomy and am having to learn the art of compromise and surrender at a whole new level.
Also the unforeseen stress of exposure to pollution, noise (piercing loudspeakers, air horns and fireworks aka “crackers”), crowds, and the rare truck wafting clouds of insecticide were always disconcerting and guilt provoking. But the benefits of our travels with Clovis outweigh any of my grievances. He is still talking about his experiences and friends there.
©Madelon Galland
R: I put together a list of things to bring on a trip to India with a baby. What would you add or take out of your pack for travel with an older child?
M: I packed a few of his favorite books, toys, stuffed animals, paints or pencils and paper. Two hats, full-length cotton pajamas to help protect from mosquitoes at night, good sandals. I didn’t bring a car seat to India (I have rarely seen seatbelts there so it would be rendered useless), but I carried him mostly in the Ergo carrier to feel him safely against me. I kept snacks and water always on hand. We brought the stroller this time but just to give it to an Indian friend who had a new baby.
I did get Clovis his vaccinations before going and have kept them up to date. I carry children’s hydration salts in the event of diarrhea. As controversial as it is, many diseases do still exist in India that have virtually disappeared in the west. But I do not take nor give my son malaria meds, which are known to have terrible side effects. Prevention is our tactic on that front.
Travel light, you can find almost anything you need once you are there. I always bring a good vegetable peeler, and an absorbent sponge. I carry GSE tablets (grapefruit seed extract, for my own immune support…have never had to take antibiotics there). I have been carrying with us a bag of Clovis’ favorite baby pasta and a bag of Cheerios…just to have a couple happy and familiar foods on hand to whip up.
©Madelon Galland
R: Does Clovis like being in India? How does he adjust to being back in France?
M: He loves being in India and the high regard he is met with by people of all ages. Although this time, he started getting sick of people touching his cheeks (it didn’t bother him before). Clovis has already started using a computer… we went from 3 obsessed computer addicts holed up in our house in winter, to barefoot in India with no computer and it was great! Cold turkey. It was a non-issue. I am afraid that older kids would have a more difficult time adjusting as they have more attachments. Clovis is still living in the moment and can make an adventure out of our simple morning walk to buy milk. Our return was met with excitement and he seemed to discover all of his old toys all over again. Then we all came down with terrible colds, France was still wintery in late March. It’s been a difficult return to his nursery school where he is intimidated by the children’s indifference. After the warmth he received from children in India, it is a startling contrast. And being gone for so long throws things off apparently.
©Madelon Galland
R: Do you think
you will continue to travel to India every year with Clovis?
M: I would like to, especially before he is 6, when school will become obligatory. I feel deeply like India is where he is from since he was conceived there. He is so at ease with the sadhus, I am sure he is a little sage.
R: Is there any other advice you can offer to those who are considering a trip to India with their children?
M: If you fly before they are two years old, the child flies free (lap child-just a small tax). I print some digital prints before leaving to give to those photographed in thanks and remembrance. Bring simple gifts to give other children: balls, pens and refill pencils are coveted! I always carry my own water bottle and buy mineral water in 5 liter returnable bottles so as to try not to contribute to the ubiquitous waste of empty one liter bottles that litter India. I also try to carry my own shopping bags for the same reason.©Madelon Galland
©Madelon Galland
R: Can you
share a few of your most rewarding experiences?
M: There are endless rewarding experiences and now that Clovis can speak in complete sentences I get to learn about the lasting impressions. So often he would exclaim, “wow, I have never seen that before!” When Clovis learned how to sit up in Auroville, I was thrilled. When he said “kissing monkeys” while pointing to the exact place where I had taken a photograph of kissing monkeys the year prior, I was dumbfounded. When he broke out dancing at the evening Aarti, I was charmed. When he yelled “Ganga” when we arrived at the banks of the holy river, I was blown away. When he said, “I love you mama”, for the first time, I melted. And when I discovered he loved fresh peas, just pulled from their sweet casing, I was elated, what a healthy snack! Also I absolutely love how he is attracted to people and makes friends everywhere we go and draws wonderful people into our lives. A complete stranger came up to us in a restaurant and happily handed him a brand new toy bus, and then left. Sadhus have given him their malas. The smiles he elicits completely light our path now. I feel so blessed to get to be on this adventure with him.
©Madelon Galland
Thank you Madelon!
Have you traveled with your child? If you would like to share your experiences on this blog, please send me an email at rachel@rachelmovitz.com
