He tucked his passport into the secret compartment of his backpack and off he went with a duffel bag as big as him; carefully packed with clothes for every eventuality. He boarded a bus in the darkness of the early hours in the morning. It was the last we would hear from him for the week. He crossed two borders; first the Dutch Belgian and then on into France. It wasn’t just any circus, this would be an international adventure.
My son did return to us at the end of the week, but will he ever be the same little boy that boarded the bus? How could he be; now that he has mastered tight rope walking?
Don’t worry, he didn’t run away from home to chase his “Cirque” dream, not at all. In fact he made this journey with 57 classmates. The entire class of 7 year-olds have this privilege at his school. Unheard of in my own primary school life, these trips are “normal” in the French education system. I say Bravo!
The level of enthusiasm, organization, execution and care from the the teachers on this trip was extraordinary. What a great experience and opportunity for the kids to be autonomous. Each day they trained with Cirque professionals and also spent time exploring nature with a Forest Ranger.
Someday, I might eventually get over the shock that upon his return, my son said in a very matter of fact way that he didn’t miss us for a minute. He was too busy having fun.
The tight rope was the highlight for my son, but he found juggling to be outside his range of talents. Maybe you think 7 is too young to go off and join the circus? Maybe you think you are too old to run off and do the same, but imagine the thrill and invigoration you might get from swinging on a trapeze or being shot from a cannon?
Bon voyage, if you dare!
Photo Credit DoubleM2
Suzy Ogé is an American born business woman living in The Hague, The Netherlands. 