Friday, May 29, 2015

New friends in new lands


Our family together & individually have been the subject of many, many photographs.  It has been a nice way to meet local people.  We always hunt out parks & play centres to provide an opportunity for C to meet little friends.  It's amazing how much enjoyment can be achieved without a shared vocabulary.  Adults & children alike have been equally curious, about all of us but especially about her.

Top 5

1. Our experience on this trip is that people are universally attracted & intrigued by difference.
2. A smile, a wave or a word can do a lot to create shared warmth and friendship.
3. Kids at play are great teachers. There may be some initial wariness or hesitancy but it is quickly overcome.  C has giggled for an hour playing tag with some kids in Phnom Penh; playing in a park with a very articulate girl in a Hong Kong park; playing in temples in Myanmar & Cambodia with kids.
4. We've yet to meet anyone who is shy about giving my arm a squeeze or my belly a poke.
5. Engaging with new kids in new environments has allowed C to contrast playing at home & playing with her friends.  Each time she has played with someone, she has also then reflected later that she would love to have some of her friends here.  Mummy & Daddy aren't quite enough sometimes. Sophie, Connar, Millie, Bethy, Iris, Alice, Karolina, Jett, Zachery & many others are often mentioned.




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