Technology Off, Fears Aside, and New World On

Lagoa do Fogo (Lake of Fire), Sao Miguel, The Azores

My family and I just returned from a wonderful trip to the Azores, more specifically the island of Sao Miguel, part of Portugal.  My husband and I haven't traveled together overseas in a very long time (before cell phones!) and for our son, this was his first trip abroad.  When we reserved a rental car without the need of a credit card, we knew we were stepping back in time.  And when we learned our cell phones did not work overseas, although a bit horrified at first, we were able to quickly remember a time when they never existed but we got along just fine. This was going to be us acting like explorers, conquerors, and just a plain old family looking for fun on vacation.

Yes, we had the privilege of traveling throughout Europe many moons ago without a cell phone or GPS in hand.  We could certainly tackle this little island without them.  "But what if something happens and we need help?," our son earnestly asked.  "Then we will find someone and ask for help, just like we did in the old days," I replied.  Hint to self: don't say "old days" to a teen to avoid having him see you as one of the passengers on the Mayflower.  "You'll just have to trust us," I said, smiling, praying that I was right.

Our adventure began as we stepped into our tiny rental car and took off through the beautiful countryside, surrounded by the gorgeous Atlantic.  The weather was perfect, we were free from responsibilities, and couldn't wait to explore a new world.  Our rental cottage, surrounded by stunning gardens, was incredible, perhaps except for the few three-inch cockroaches we discovered the next day that are native to this land.  I met my inner ninja when faced with "it is either these huge bugs or you!" -- my own National Geographic episode, while my husband was in the shower and my son stared at me aghast.  Never in my life did I think I would conquer such an unexpected situation with style, calm, a big broom, and my husband's size 12 sneaker (I have to thank my son for that brilliant idea).

Over the next few days, we would swim in a thermal pool heated by volcanic waters; ride waves on beaches with black sand; explore volcanic craters that are now lakes; walk mountains so steep that Maria von Trapp would have been impressed; and drive on roads so narrow, you breathed in when the car on the opposite side passed.  I drove over 100 kilometers an hour with wind whipping by, feeling like Mario Andretti (before doing the math when we got back and realizing this was just about 60-mph).  I was thankful for seeing "SOS" call boxes on the roads, a great back-up to our lack of technology, although we never needed them.

We learned that "scoot, scoot" means highway in English when trying to get directions from someone who only spoke Portuguese.  While we couldn't speak the language, we met the sweetest people who tried to help us understand, hand signals included.  Our son learned that he didn't miss his text messages as much as he thought he would and I was able to let go from the ties that bind us to a world where we are supposed to be attached to our cell phones.  You never know what you are capable of until you try, and we have the Azores to thank for this.  Consider putting down your cell phone, embracing your inner Columbus, and going on an adventure where you have to trust in the good will of others.  No need to travel all the way to the Azores to try it (but if you can - enjoy!).  You'll soon be saying "obrigada" or thank you as you discover new abilities you never knew you had.