artsnletters-

I read the thread over at the Europe board when you first posted it and am enjoying reading about the start of your son's journey.

I agree with those that say your son's travel skills will improve very quickly - and it's a good thing he has the time in the US to figure stuff out before heading overseas.

It sounds like a great adventure and it sounds like he's having a blast. Being a young man, off to explore the world for the first time - there's something about "the first time" that's pretty wondrous. I hope he has a great trip.

I was interested why he would want to take a guitar on a road trip around the world instead of a small netbook to check up on things? The guitar is going to be a hassle down the road with flying cheap airlines and their hefty excess baggage charges along with getting a "free ride" and having to find a place for it in the car. Just curious.

The guitar is small and very lightweight, and music is his pleasure and solace. He may have fantasies of busking at some point. The friend he will be traveling with cross-country is an even more talented guitarist. I agree it's probably going to be a hindrance, but I figure it's up to him to work it out.

My take on things is that young folks need to make their own mistakes, and it's better to get out of the way and let them get it over with. I don't plan to interfere unless it's a matter of life and limb or not having enough money to come home. I've found that this philosophy leads to open, constructive communication and a great deal of respect (eventually) for my superior wisdom, haha.

Artsnletters,

I too will be following your son's journey. You are a brave Mom.

How is he getting to New York?

Just got a gleeful call from Portland, where he has now arrived and was standing in the rain, waiting for a city bus to take him to his first couch-stay. (He was born in Seattle and lived there his first 10 years, so rain makes it feel like home.) He very much enjoyed his unplanned side-trip to Sacramento and said he's having a great time.

Going to New York via ride share and thumb. I believe the planned way-stations are Seattle, Detroit and Philadelphia, and I suppose wherever he ends up in between. If worst comes to worst and time runs short, he can always hop a bus or train to finish the journey. Or, given the events of the past couple days, maybe not? But I'm sure he'll figure it out.

I'm actually quite excited for him. It will only be hard not to see him for so long. If I win the lottery or have some other unforeseeable windfall, I could always meet up with him at some point during what will then be my trip around the world. (Dreaming, dreaming.)

Dream on! You seem like a fantastic mother. Quite a bit like my own, who allowed me to wander all alone all over Europe at the age of 17 -- without mobile phones or computers, just parental trust.

Your take on his trip is just right! I too let a 20 year old son take off on his own, not to Europe, but across the good old USA with just a friend & 2 sleeping bags in an old Jimmy. Now he's telling his 7 year old son about the adventures he had - planting the seed, I think! I will be following "scruffy young man's" trip with great interest - and wishing I was 21 again!

I am a bit worried for him now at UK immigration with a musical instrument. He will have to be careful that they don't see busking as working. I am not being humorous. I heard recently at 2nd hand from an old friend that a young american female who had lived and studied in Scotland was turned back when she arrived back for a holiday but bearing a guitar. The young american was a friend of her daughter. We can but hope for the best.

I think he's going to buy an onward ticket to Copenhagen before he gets to London. He's decided he doesn't want to stay more than a long weekend so there's no need to leave his departure open. He will also have a visa for India waiting in his passport. I will mention to him to say nothing about playing for money. He hasn't done it here at home - he just likes to play for himself, or jam with friends at small gatherings.

Yeah has arrived at his first planned port of call. Can't wait to read about his next adventure.

artsnletters, you sound like you've got a very laid-back attitude about the whole thing, and I'm really interested to hear about the rest of Greg's trip!

artsnletters, I'm impressed with your parenting style esp allowing your son to make his own mistakes. You have a safety net for him but it's not obvious and it still allows him plenty of freedom. It will be fun to follow his adventures. I hope you win the lottery so you can meet him someplace. DS left for his adventure when he was 22 but he let DH ride along across the US and I met up with them in Seattle. He spent the first winter with friends and then was on his own He didn't travel to any foreign countries, instead mostly wilderness exploration. Still, I was grateful for all the seemingly simple skills we taught him and eagerly awaited his weekly calls.
Wish I had gone on such an adventure!

Give him time, he'll sort it out. Meanwhile, I'll be following this with great interest. I'm more than a wee bit jealous of his youth and carefree nature.

Bookmarking. You son will learn so much!

Trip of a lifetime.

Your son will talk about his trip for years to come.

How fun! I'll also be following this adventure. Will you keep this thread in the US forum, tagged CA/OR, or will you be starting new threads as he changes locations?

DH spent the better part of his 21st year backpacking throughout Asia with a good friend. This was before cell phones & internet cafes and he didn't even have a credit/debit card. He grew up very fast, and said it was one of the best things he ever did, much more educational than a year in school.

Best of luck to your son -- and to you!

lvk, I'm not one who tagged it, and that's too bad, because this thread is going to cover a lot more territory as he crosses the U.S. He should be in Seattle by the end of the week. Once he changes continents, I'll start a new thread in that forum and put a link here for those who want to follow the continuing saga.

artsnletters - I have to ditto some other comments that I hope your son appreciates what an open mind you have about his trip, and how supportive you are being. I think that's really great!

Looking at some of the comments - it shows a big difference between a lot of us Americans and those in other parts of the world.

I'm talking about things like "you are sure open minded about the trip" and "allowing your son . . . "

In many (most?) countries it wouldn't cross a parents mind (or the kid's for that matter) that a parent would have anything at all to say about a trip like this. This pops up on the Europe forum now and then - "My 18 yo daughter wants to go to Paris alone. Should I allow it?" The Yanks generally ask things like "How reliable is she?", or "Why not go w/ her and have a mother/daughter trip to remember?" or "No way - she is too young".

Most of the Europeans reply "Allow!?! Fer crying out loud - she is an adult. How could you stop her?", or "My daughter first traveled alone at 16 - of course let her go."

artsnletters son is 21 years old. This isn't any sort of slam or criticism -- just an observation.

I think these reports will be great fun . . . .

janisj, I've been on the verge of mentioning just that: my son is 21, a full adult, and has been self-supporting for three years. He's going to do this trip whether I approve or not. Taking a supportive stance makes it easy for him to call on me if he needs me without fearing he'll get a lecture or an "I told you so." I've related to him in this way ever since he moved out, and as a consequence he comes to me when he has a problem or a crisis in his life to ask for support and advice. I would rather serve that role than be only a resource of last resort.

Despite his going astray on the bus, he has a good head on his shoulders and is likely to be able to resolve whatever messes he gets into and to avoid major ones (such as fooling around near the borders of countries with whom the US doesn't have diplomatic relations). The messes are expected (even by him) and are part of the adventure and the growing process.