New Experiences

A little while back we went on a Great Expedition. We went to the city to celebrate my brother's birthday at a nice restaurant. My husband had work at home, so I was single-parenting the kids around for the day. It wasn't really all that onerous with grandparents on hand to help, though!

I was loving the chance to get back to the city at night. But judging by my children's faces the experience was a little overwhelming for them. I realised how quiet our lives normally are, as they stared with awe at the light rail, the monorail, the boats, the lights, and the traffic overpasses with booming buses, trucks and cars passing overhead. As we walked around the harbour, Eldest saw a small boat leaving the dock. "That's a taxi!" he called. Sure enough, there was a small sign on the roof of the boat: "TAXI". It seems he's recognising certain words now...

Both Eldest and Boo clung tightly as we walked toward the restaurant. In the gathering darkness we spotted a small bunch of flashing, whirling, glowing lights. It was a stall selling glowsticks, torches, and other toys fitted with little LEDs. As we forked out exorbitant amounts of cash for cheap torches, it all seemed worth it to see the kids relax and play with their little lights. I'd wondered in years past how they made any money. Now I know it's off the backs of generous and slightly over-worried parents.

Then there was the noise. The restaurants were mostly full of Friday-night diners, all having a nice time. I saw the suspicious looks from some of them as we walked in to our table. "Children," they seemed to say, "We don't want none of your kind round here. Spoils the food." A decade ago I would have felt the same. Now I was only worried about whether the kids would settle or not. The noise seemed to overwhelm them again, and Eldest developed strong stomach cramps. My father was a little worried. Apparently migraines can first manifest themselves as stomach pain in young children. I was worried too. After the fifth visit to the bathrooms with no result, we were getting some even more suspicious glances from the nearby tables. But it all worked out fine. Dinner arrived and the kids tucked in to their fish and chips. Our waiter was friendly and kind, even though we didn't fit the Friday party mould. Our brother didn't seem to mind that his dinner party was cut short by slightly frazzled children. No dessert, but that was okay.



It seems we've become country bumpkins.