When I Grow Up I Want To Be Snoop Dogg… Or A Shepherd

If travelling with your kids is about expanding their horizons and ambitions, then my recent trip to Greece was a roaring success. Seeing, doing, and thinking about things so different from life at home led to some moments of profound parenting joy. Not to mention some unexpected career announcements.

Admittedly, most parents might wish their kids to aim for doctor or lawyer, but perhaps they should spend more time in Sifnos. In a short week on a windswept island, we milked goats, made cheese, chased dolphins, snorkelled for sea-urchins and threw pots on the wheel. Activities intended to prise our kids out of their comfort zone backfired beautifully as my hip-hop obssessed 10-year old announced that not only did he actually quite enjoy goat milking but that in fact he never wanted to leave. He preferred to live with Anthi the goatherd in her hilltop farm beneath the twinkling stars making fresh cheese and tending to a flock of chickens, a donkey and a peacock. I can’t say I blame him.

It wasn’t all character building. Thanks to the contacts and connections of Jacoline, Trufflepig’s epic Greece planner who lives on the neighbouring island of Serifos, we enjoyed lazy lunches in seaside tavernas, sunset drinks with picture perfect vistas, walks to hidden swim spots, and ice cream after ice cream after ice cream. Now I think of it, it’s possible this context played a role in my son’s decision to connect with his inner Zorba.

What fun. Trufflepig’s love affair with Greece goes back many decades and it’s now ten years since Jacoline joined us to turn that love affair into trips. Give us a shout if you’re worried your kids might grow up to be software engineers, diplomats or bankers. We have some AI-proof career suggestions for you to consider, and if they don’t work out, you’ll have a great time anyway. Opa!