From a long time back, we have been introduced with the concept that whatever you do, wherever you go involves your family in it. Truly any enjoyment is incomplete without having your loved one’s around! We often say that we went on a trip with my partner, mom & dad, friends or even solo. But have you undertaken trips with your Grandparents?
I feel very blessed to say that there has been no day in my life since the last 23 years, where my dadi (grandmother) haven’t intertwined in my life. She is the one who is always concerned with everyone from dad’s meal to sipping the first cup of tea with mumma every morning.
Since I have been gifted with my mischievous yet notorious brother, dadi has become more close to me. We giggle, gossip, quarrel as well but most importantly we travel. I guess since the age I have started to understand things I have taken more trips with her. Though most of them were to my hometown, it’s always different to enjoy that train journey with her. She used to always buy me treats, gossip with me and have lots of fun talking about her good olden days.
I must say traveling with parents and with grandparents, it’s way too different. With parents, you can be disorientated, less attentive, and lazy. But when it comes to planning for a trip with grandparents, your personality automatically gets shifted to a disciplined, attentive, and caring person. Have experienced this myself and trust me it feels so good. Would definitely suggest doing so.
I have listed down certain reasons why you must consider planning a trip with your grandparents if you haven’t yet! If your grandparents are still a part of your life it doesn’t matter if they stay with you or in some other city of the world. Planning a trip with them is one epic thing that you could ever do in life.
Rich Stories and Wisdom:
Grandparents often have a treasure trove of life stories and wisdom to share, providing a unique perspective and enriching the travel experience. Their stories during trips are the true wisdom and great learnings for us.
Bonding Time:
Traveling together strengthens family bonds, creating lasting memories and fostering closer relationships between generations. This is my personal experience that the level I bonded with my dadi while being on the journey is so comforting that I can’t even explain it. Travel with grandparents and you will automatically start bonding with them.
Cultural Connection:
Grandparents may have a deep connection to their roots, making it an opportunity for younger generations to learn about and appreciate their cultural heritage. I and my dadi talk for hours and hours about her past life, her birthday, and her journey of separating from Pakistan during Independence. I guess my skill of storytelling has been transferred to me from here.
Historical Insights:
Elders can offer insights into historical events, providing context to landmarks and destinations, and making the trip more exciting. Me and dadi have always preferred train journeys over anything else for two things. First, we get a lot of time to talk and share things and second our obsession with trains . Like she always says in the olden days they used to carry games on board while traveling, nowadays you just stick to your smartphones.
Tradition and Rituals:
Grandparents often carry family traditions and rituals; traveling together allows the passing down of these cultural practices to younger family members. My forever young lady has this bag of hers that she carries with her on every journey, I often ask her to leave this bag and I will get her a new one. Her ever-ready golden replies make me go silent, she says this bag I’m going to use till my last day and even pass it on to you as well. Indeed they always have answers for everything.
Different Perspectives:
Each generation may have distinct interests and preferences; planning trips with grandparents allows for a diverse range of activities and experiences. For us as youngsters trips are always about planning, going, and coming back. But when it comes to traveling with them it’s always lovely, slow pace and more importantly peaceful.
Quality Time:
Traveling provides an opportunity for quality time away from the usual routine, allowing for meaningful conversations and shared adventures. Our foremost reason for looking forward to a trip is that we can spend quality time with our loved ones. I must say whenever I travel with my dadi quality time is something that we prioritize first. Doesn’t matter if we aren’t talking continuously, but there is still a different kind of satisfactory peace during those silent moments.
Intergenerational Learning:
Grandparents can share practical skills, such as traditional recipes or handicrafts, passing down valuable knowledge to the younger members of the family. She is the one who always makes me learn new things every now and then. Sometimes it’s about making pinni in the kitchen or how to keep the cupboard neat. Every point of her teaching is so inspirational
Creating Multi-Generational Memories:
Traveling as a family creates multigenerational memories that everyone can cherish, fostering a sense of unity and unforgettable memories. Whenever I plan a trip with my family I make sure that my heart and soul are with them to the point that I use my phone unless and until it’s for capturing memories.
Celebrating Milestones:
Planning trips with grandparents can be a wonderful way to celebrate special occasions, creating memorable experiences around birthdays or anniversaries. We as a family make sure to celebrate milestones in the most auspicious way. Sometimes we travel, sometimes we don’t. There is always an unexpressed love aura that Dadi creates and keeps us all bound with it.
Now you have a reason to plan your next trip with your grandparents ASAP. I traveled to Amritsar with my dadi last. I’m soon looking for some places where I can go with her, not with the happiness of reaching the destination, but feeling every moment of the journey.
Have you ever traveled with your grandparents? If yes where and what’s your favorite key point about it. If not let me know where you would like to travel with them. Let me know in the comments.
Till then Happy Sunday!
Travellogs 