So, we left on the 22nd of December. 22 people travelled from Houston to Calgary, Alberta, Canada and were joined by 5 travelling from Los Angeles. A few days later we were joined by 2 more making our total 29. This trip was sponsored (and paid for) by the patriarch and matriarch of the family (my mom, Wanda, and my dad, Don). They have four children who are all married (I'm the second child and oldest girl) and fourteen grandchildren. You may be thinking that this only adds up to 24 and you would be right. Two of those grandchildren are engaged to be married this Spring and two more have long term relationships. That makes 28. The 29th person (and perhaps the easiest to travel with and get along with) was Marilyn, my sister-in-law's mother. She is 74 year old cancer survivor who spend two days on the ski slopes. Amazing woman!
Now, you may be thinking "That's no bigger than your average tour group. What's the big deal?" but I'll tell you that on a tour you are on your best behavior and someone else is directing the activities. Imagine going on a vacation with 28 or your family members......just give that a moment to settle in your brain. You can't walk into a restaurant anywhere and say, "Table for 29 please". The madhouse potential is high. And yet, we had few problems. We ate, skied, played, slept, ate some more, shopped, toured and generally had a great time with very few issues....personally or vacationally. (I realize that's not a word)
How does this happen? Well, I'll tell you my theory.
1. It's not about me. You go with the knowledge that someone else is paying for this trip and you will do what they want to do. Now, let me say that I would not do this with just anyone but these are my parents for goodness sake. I trust them and know that they will provide a good time but I am one out of 29 people and the trip isn't about me. Mr. Spock said it best, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one"
2. We have a plan. There was an agenda. We had reservations each night for dinner. We reserved ski equipment and sleigh rides. We knew where we were to be at what time dressed to go where we were going. We had built in free time and activity time. We did some things as a big family (Curling lessons and tournament) and some things in smaller groups (lunch some days). We had a nice mix of free/planned/all together/small group time but the point is there was a plan.
3. We are flexible. Sometimes that plan didn't quite work out. Like the day we thought our dinner reservations were at 7:00 and discovered they were really at 4:15 (What is that about, Spaghetti Warehouse??). Sometimes you have to be calm and make a new plan. Flexibility is the key.
4. We get along. This is a family value and not just something we pull out on family vacation. We believe in harmony. That doesn't mean that people don't get annoyed or irritated. They do. But we don't let it get in the way of harmony and getting along. When we were children our parents didn't let us fuss and fight with one another and we encourage harmony amongst our own kids. We work out our differences and love one another above all else. It's not perfect but it works for us and we all do get along pretty well.
Quite honestly, I can't think of 29 other people I would rather vacation with....truly.
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