The day started with a rude awakening as the alarms went at 2 am (6 pm Thursday night at home) so we could make 230 breakfast and 3 am departure.

We had one traveller who may have slept through the alarm, but all was good as that possibility was built into the schedule.

I went to knock on the traveller’s door and found the door open and unlocked. I knocked and called a name. I turned the light on and saw golf clubs and heard a voice that didn’t match any of our travellers’ voices. Oops. I used the wrong rooming list and opened some stranger’s door 🥴 as it was unlocked. I made a hasty retreat down the hallway.

The Malaga airport was surprisingly large and very busy for 330 am. We said goodbye to our Matthew and scooched through security. The 2.5 hr flight to Paris seemed pretty short as many of us caught some shuteye.

Our travellers ❤️ Every trip YGTravellers have embarked on brings new discoveries. We like to travel, but always come back to the idea that we live in the best place on earth – as long as the election on Monday goes the “right” way 😘 Each traveller always brings something unique to the trip

Ben. The quiet, lone male on our trip. He easily could have cancelled and choose not to travel with the bevy of women, but he soldiered on with the gentle smile on his face. He was always game to try to new food whether it be octopus, calamari, gazpacho or anything else that were considered leftovers. I felt bad for him for when we finally landed in Madrid after our 22 hr trek to arrive. We had lunch and he ordered a full meal and enjoyed every morsel. “It was the first full meal we had since we left home” was the phrase he used as we had been eating airline food and snacks along the way. He was always patient with posing for our group photographer, Connie, and I think he enjoyed it eventually. I hope Ben keeps his inquisitive attitude and willingness to try new experiences.

Ciara. Our quiet determined young lady who was brought up not to offend and to be respectful. On our tour, we had some not admirable behaviour from the other group. Ciara was not impressed when they choose to not wear their “whispers” (portable headphones to hear the guides). She told me they should just put their earphones in and pretend to be listening as it was really rude to the guide not to pay attention. ❤️ I also got a bang out of her when we had our giant lunch at the Spanish lady’s home yesterday. She had given us a huge bowl of lentil stew which was a lot for everyone and if you aren’t prone to liking lentils, it could be not to your liking. When the Spanish lady questioned Ciara, Ciara blushed making the lady smile broadly. I was proud of her for standing her ground, but being respectful to the host. She also encouraged the other girls in doing the trapeze. She was a good addition to our group. ❤️

Brooklyn. I really didn’t know Brooklyn before travelling other than knowing some of her family. I have never met a Williams who I haven’t enjoyed. Brooklyn definitely has the fun Williams genetics that her dad and Uncle Steven possess. She was always ready to have fun whether it was flying on the trapeze or having a giant grin zipping across the Spanish river in Toledo. Her blue lively eyes sparkled with mischief every morning and she was ready for adventure with her hearty laugh

Rozlin. She is a quiet and determined young woman. I didn’t hear one negative utterance from her all week. Always a smile on her face and wanting to soak it all in. She shared with us that her mom thinks she had the same tour director just a couple of a few years ago. I loved her enthusiasm for the scavenger hunt that the students at did in Saville. YG didn’t place first in it, but according to Roz, “We just didn’t use our data like the other teams did. They didn’t cheat, but the other teams just used technology to find things.” Solid, dependable, unflappable Roz ❤️

Jacey. She was my only returning traveller this year from 2023. Jacey is fun and understood the assignment about embracing all aspects of the trip from food and activity trials. From literally running in the scavenger hunt up and down the steep hills, jumping into the sea, doing a back flip on the trapeze, Jacey embraced!

These five students weren’t necessarily a team before the trip, but they gelled so well together, it was as if all five had known each other their entire lives.

I feel honoured as I get to keep travelling showing students, who aren’t even my students anymore, the beauty of travel. There are numerous quotes about the importance of travel, but a few have really struck a chord with me.

All who travel are not lost. The best way to really appreciate home is to experience the wonders of other places. Every place we travelled to was different from home in a good way, but home is still best.

The phrase “travel beats racism” can be interpreted in a few ways, but it generally conveys the idea that travel can help to combat prejudice and promote understanding. The phrase “travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness” by Mark Twain is a famous quote that expresses this sentiment. We are all people who strive for very similar ideals no matter where we live or culture we are used to experiencing.

I’m so lucky as you, the parents, trust me (and Lindsay) enough to allow us to travel with your family members. I get to travel to young people who see the world in a new light and with my friends who join us for these adventures. This was Felecia’s 4th trip with me, Lindsay’s second and Connie’s first EF tour. I’m a lucky, lucky woman to be able to share my love of travel with friends!