A Little PEQ Summer Travel

Machu Picchu, Perú

Peru, Ecuador, Qatar. Three countries, three completely different trips.

Every year as students run out the double doors of school after following the last final exam onto summer jobs and family vacations, I pursue my summer goal, leave the country.

I try to visit a new country every year. Sometimes it happens, other times it does not. Occasionally, a summer will present multiple summer travel possibilities. This is one of those summers. Each trip is unique.

High school students are the focus of the first trip to Peru. Sixteen months ago, Elizabeth and I organized a week-long trip that included visits to the tourist magnet of Machu Picchu, along with the Sacred Valley, a family homestay in Ollantaytambo, and ceviche along the coast in Lima.

The second trip focuses on Peru’s smaller northern neighbor, Ecuador. Family and friends replace students. Nadine, Sophie, and Dom join this trip (thanks American Airlines miles). Joining the family is the Fry family. The White / Fry adults traveled two years ago, without kids, to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. This time, their two eldest kids and fellow Spanish/English dual language classmates, will hang out and put their Spanish skills into practice.

The final trip is a big one. Nadine and I accepted teaching positions for the following school year in Qatar (host to the 2022 FIFA World Cup – get on my good side now). Qatar and the Middle East will be new to us. Our only previous experience was a layover in Dubai in 2007. In many ways, this should be quite different from all of our previous travels. The family will be divided Qatar Academy and the American School of Doha. Hopefully the move enriches the entire family and brings us even closer together.

All three summer trips occur while we sell our house and make a big family move to the Middle East. At least we will arrive during the heart of summer.