Months prior to start our journey starting April 2009, we occasionnally heard  some comments on how difficult it could be to travel with a 14 months old baby. We did not really know how our little monster would react during such a long trip. I had personnally read lots of comments on f orums from parents who had done it themselves and all were pretty much positive. Obviously we had to avoid many countries where our son would be at a higher risk of illness. It did not really matter to us as we had already crossed some of them during our previous round the world. In fact with Martin we were able to meet many people during our trip. It was great to see him change so fast with all the new things happening to the three of us.

 

I had also to pack my keigogi to ensure I would practice a little bit along the way...  In Hong-Kong, our first stop over, the three of us ended up with a stomach bug... Therefore I had to forget about practicing there! And in Bali only the last day and by pure luck, I found an Aikido club there. Too late and anyway far tooo humid.

 

Finally the first class was done in Freemantle, a trendy sea side suburb of Perth. People were extremelly welcoming and were a real challenge onthe mat. I had not practiced for the past 6 weeks so I had to let go some of my usual energy...  Many clubs in Australia are influenced by Sugano Sensei classes who used to be the Australian Shihan. He left thecountry some years ago to move to Belgium and then New York City where he currently jointly teach with Yamada Sensei at the New York Aikikai.

After stopping in Sydney (which we had visited on a previous trip), our nextstop was San Francisco in the USA. I had carrefully planned our holiday schedule to be able attend a seminar given there by Christian Tissier Sensei, Bruce Bookman Sensei, Tenzan Aikido Kai-cho from Seattle and James friedman Sensei from Suginami Aikikai San Francisco. I had visited the dojo and attended classes there in 2001. The dojo main instructor was very welcoming and the atmosphere was very friendly and relaxed. Aikido there was also challenging and I did appreciate to attend the classes taugth by each instructors.

 

Finally our last stop was in New York where I had a rendez-vous with Amyas (from the Brigthon Aikikai) to attend one of Yamada's Sensei classes. The New York Aikikai is located in a nice district close to Greenwish Village. As soon as I arrived I once again faced a warm welcome from all the students. Yamada Sensei welcomed my son and directed him to the kids playground area within the dojo! Never seen one before in a dojo. The class was taugth by Yamada Sensei himself and went very well. Then, with Amyas, we went eating a good healthy burger sitting rigth beside the band Ash from Northen Ireland... They are currently recording a new album in New York City.

 

I would really recommend anyone to bring their suit with them when  travelling. It is a good opportunity to practice with and meet new people.