I marvel at the paths laid for us by the greats adventurers of recent memory.

There are the tales of history’s great adventures – the likes of Odysseus, Marco Polo, Sir Francis Drake, Bessie Coleman, Amelia Earhart, Sir Edmund Hillary, Jacques Cousteau – those who today inspire us with their sweeping scope of daring. These storied protagonists set guiding stars for us to follow, and show us of what we are made, and we celebrate their thrilling journeys.

I marvel at the paths laid for us by the great adventurers of recent memory. Their legends will not diminish for generations. But, perhaps, for me personally, the most powerful and touching are the stories of unassuming, everyday travellers who seek to satisfy their curiosity in search for something more, and often – openly, and in their own right also daringly – discover more of who they are meant to be.

I’d like to introduce you to my Mom, Joan Ford. 2020 was a surely difficult year for us all, and undeniably even more so for my family and I when my Mom, our beloved Matriarch, passed away in May at age 86. My Mom was quite lively and strong, wise, her brain unbelievably sharp, and her character mischievous, fun-loving and full of wit. She believed that we must defend the most important things in life, the qualities that we must uphold – having compassion, loving others, giving back when you are able, and fighting for what is good in the world.

My Mom and I spent most of the hours together in the 9 days between her cancer diagnosis and her passing. We chatted, and laughed, and cried, and gave thanks for this incredible life adventure.

We recalled some of her most favourite memories. Her time with my Father, with our family, and her travels.

My Mom came to travel internationally relatively late in life, at age 64, after my Father passed away at the young age of 65. Her grief for my Father was visceral, having shared their forty-five years of devoted companionship, and she suddenly found it difficult to navigate through life’s massive changes.

My Mom’s church group had arranged a trip to Turkey in 1999, to follow in the footsteps of St. Paul. I remember my Mom being quite worried about travelling internationally to Turkey, so far away, as a single traveller, a widow saddened by loss, in a country that seemed so different from Canada – so unknown to her, and foreign. She and my Dad had not travelled outside of North America and the Caribbean for leisure (my Dad did so as a Sapper in the Korean War, and was stationed in the country for an extended period of time), and instead focussed on raising four kids, and enjoying grandchildren. They were of the generation that often worked multiple jobs to ensure we had access to education, opportunity and support. Raised in the depression era, through multiple world crises, wars, famines and struggles, how could she justify the time away from family – her lifeline since my Dad’s passing? And then there was the cost – how could she justify spending her life savings at this time – on herself?

We knew how much my Mom was deliberating whether to go or not to go, and we finally convinced her that it would be her once in a lifetime opportunity, and she should go to Turkey and seek new adventures. She agreed to take a chance, and went.

My Mom shared her incredible adventures through postcards and telephone calls where she was able. Meeting and eating with locals. Sharing a room with one of the younger ladies from the church group, and making travel friends. Seeing the storied sites of Istanbul, Cappadocia, Ephesus and the spectacular wonders of Turkey with her own eyes. Having a young Turkish girl take her by the hand as she walked down the street in one of the small villages they visited, and how the little girl gave her a warm embrace as she left.

At the age of 64, my Mother became an adventurer, and with this daring journey to Turkey, began her life of international travel.

Sometimes, the most powerful are the stories of unassuming, everyday travellers who take a chance, and seek to satisfy their curiosity in search for something more, and often – just as daringly – discover more of who they are meant to be.

I had been sorting my Mom’s estate, and preparing her treasured condo for sale, and had finished the majority of the painting and renovations to be ready for buyer viewings. My last task was to sort through the final box of photos and memories that we had carefully laid safely tucked away in a corner. I sat on the floor and turned through the pages of her photo album from Turkey, and for the first time, I truly appreciated what this one adventure to a once-strange land did to change her life. I took in page after page of her amazing images, and I felt her freedom and vitality as she captured the beautiful moments and memories, and posed with fellow travellers and locals with smiles of connection, and love of being in the moment. I was swept up in emotion and admiration, and wished that I could ask her a thousand and one more questions about her experiences there, and tell her how much she inspired generations that follow.

I put the album on the floor and pulled out a series of maps, postcards, excursion information and a brochure. On the cover of the brochure, in familiar white letters, was the name of the company that changed her life – INSIGHT. All of these years, I had no idea, that the company who I believe does so much to enable curious, beautiful people to travel, had also profoundly changed my Mother in her final 20 years. And, as a result, how much we have all been changed.

Sometimes, the most powerful are the stories of unassuming, everyday travellers who take a chance, and seek to satisfy their curiosity in search for something more, and often – just as daringly – discover more of who they are meant to be. We just need to take the adventure.

Traveller Tips – I’m ready for my adventure. Where do I start?

• Find your inspiration. Travel publications are fuel for the wanderlust fire. Studies have shown that travellers often choose their destination first. In this big, bright, beautiful world, sometimes that first step can be challenging enough. Inspiration is everything. Here are a few of my personal favourites:

BOLD

Zoomer

Wanderlust

National Geographic Traveller

Arrived

Travel + Leisure

• Solo, but only as alone as you wish to be. Often, similar to the uncertainty that my Mom was feeling before her trip to Turkey, inexperienced and single travellers of every age aren’t always sure they want to take the adventure for concerns of being on their own. Travelling in a small group gives the freedom to travel with friendly camaraderie, expert guidance, and should you choose, the sanction to enjoy the discoveries you wish to take in on your own.

• Community. Travellers are a sharing, supportive network of curious and connected characters. Follow a traveller on social media and join a social community for travellers. We like to share our stories, and invite others to join the adventure. There is a place for everyone on the team, and be prepared to have fun, laugh, learn and just maybe feel like never before.

• Take your time and go well. It’s okay to go at your own speed and comfort level. Stretch your curiosity, and at the standard of offering that is right for you. Adventure doesn’t have to be unnecessarily uncomfortable. I have backpacked, joined more basic organized adventures, and journeyed in comfort and style. All have their advantages. Great to have the option to enjoy an Insight Vacations or Luxury Gold journey, the confidence that someone you can trust is committed to looking after you throughout your journey, and still have top rated comforts to soothe after a full day of exploration!  

• Consult an expert Travel Advisor. Like any good Physician or Financial Advisor, an expert Travel Advisor is a professional who will get to know you, and offer quality travel experiences such as those offered by Insight Vacations.

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