by Eileen (Lee) M. Rowley & Vena Rainwater
LEE: Thanks for agreeing to share your travels with us Vena. What is your earliest experience with Servas travel and what memories do you have from it?
VENA: When I was 12, I traveled with my mother in Denmark and Sweden, staying with Servas families. I had so much fun with the kids we stayed with, it was much more memorable than any of the sightseeing we did. even though most of them weren't fluent in english, we found games to play and they enjoyed showing me around their towns.
LEE: What are your thoughts about Servas travel with kids in today's world?
VENA: To some extent, I think it depends on your kid’s temperament. My youngest son Ben, 10 years old, is curious, outgoing and will talk to anyone. He gives me an opening to meet news people, particularly with families. On the other hand, my oldest son, Mika, 20 years old it’s much more reserved in new places and with strangers, so traveling with him is a very different experience.
LEE: Can you share a few of your most memorable aspects of international travel with children?
VENA: We were very lucky on our trip to Iceland and got to visit the one host currently active - he's a day host, so we just spent the first morning/early afternoon with him, but he gave us some great insights for our time - including the recommendation to go to the pool that was located one block away from our hostel. The pools are free for kids under 12 and for kids over 10, they can go without an adult.
It’s hard to meet locals In Iceland because during Summer the population soars, and you are surrounded by many tourists. But on our 2nd day, I had let Ben walk down to the pool on his own (he was very proud of his independence) and when I met him there, he had met a local boy named Frodi. They got to be friends, playing in the pool and Frodi invited Ben and I to meet his family, which lived across the street from the pool. They lived in a top floor apartment, which was in the middle of renovations, we all sat on the floor and petted their cats and talked about life in Iceland. For the rest of our trip, Ben would meet Frodi at the pool or they would ride bikes to the park together.
Another sweet Reykjavik memory: In the middle of the bay in Reykjavík is a hot spring. The water from the spring gets pumped into smaller areas where people swim. On one of our last days in Reykjavik, Frodi, Benjamin and I traveled across town to visit to the spring. It was a bus ride and a long walk to the beach, but the kids were so excited to be on an adventure - the soaking pool and bay kept the kids busy for hours, while the tide went out.
LEE: What travel lessons are beneficial to kids?
VENA: That Copenhagen trip flipped a switch for Benjamin. He’s still a 10-year-old boy, but he understands that travel is the time to get your act together. Ben has learned how to cope in difficult travel situations. You must be okay with imperfection. Navigating through past challenges gives Ben confidence we can get through future sticky situations.
LEE: What are the joys of Servas travel with a kid?
VENA: Kids are an automatic door opener to others. We met local folks because Benjamin talks to all kids. Also, kids provide a certain amount of structure and excuse to do kid stuff. Traveling with extroverted and curious kids is easier and more fun than being alone as an adult. In Copenhagen we discovered a rooftop trampoline park. We discovered parents at another local park who said, “you don’t really get a break as a traveling parent.” They suggested I drop Benjamin off for a few hours while I packed our stuff for our trip home. Ben had a great time and I managed to not forget anything in the apartment we were staying, which must be a record for me!
Note: Vena Rainwater is our newest, and youngest US Servas board member. She and her family live in Portland, Oregon.
