Been there done that ner ner ner ner NER!

Sounds like something a child would say doesn’t it? My family and I have a similar little game we play. We’ve all travelled over the years, those more extensively than others and some who enjoy the lazy lounger days rather than the toiling trekking days. However, over the years we’ve all amounted some serious airmiles.

As us three children have all grown and moved from our childhood home, our parents have done some extensive travelling Australia, India, South America and Mexico to name but a few. As I’ve grown, I’ve more than once discovered the freedom age, money and a passport grants you. By no means was I kept locked up at home when I was a kid nor was I kept from the rest of the world. But, how can a parent keep everyone happy when choosing the summers vacation destination? We did the summers by the pool, in different countries every year (more or less), day trips out and about to get a glimpse of the new cultures. I saw fantastic places like Greece, a place where you are surrounded by huge families in backyard restaurants, where everyone tucks in and is squeezed together in pleasure over Mediterranean food and laughter. I escaped the UK weather to Cuba one summer and was introduced to a vast, vibrant culture who worship the sun and laughter. Our hotel opened their beach over the weekends and the whole of Cuba, it seemed, descended on our weekday good fortune, it was an assault on the senses. I was extremely lucky as a child, as I continue to be into adulthood, the snippets of culture I saw travelling as a child lit a fire under me that have pushed me to explore the world whenever I can.

Looking back, we didn’t have much money day to day, and I now understand, that pennies were pinched so we could go on those trips! I’ll never be more grateful for anything else in my life, travelling is one of the greatest gifts to give and, if you’re lucky enough, to receive.

The game that I and a few of my family play, is based on where we’ve been, it often comes into action when an image of a city/country/place is flashed across a screen or brought up in conversation. “Been there” someone will utter after I mention that a new skyscraper has been built in New York, “been there” someone will blurt out when a colleague has been to India on their honeymoon and ‘BEEN THERE’ my mum and I shout when someone muses over a documentary on Egyptian history they saw the other night.

To outsiders, and probably you, it seems like a terrible game with a mix of bragging and a certain level of NER NER NER NER NERNESS.

I can understand that, most definitely, but all in all it’s that personal feeling of achievement to remind ourselves of. Oh I’ve been there, cor remember that trip! Feels like yesterday! Onto the next! It’s become a lot of fun between my family and the once newly introduced Mr W. When it was first introduced to him he was taken aback. Now he just smiles and nods along.

Oh the games we play…

Photo by Dave Watson

Please check out his work on https://www.instagram.com/davewatson_uk/ or at https://davewatson1980.picfair.com/