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Europe, Travel
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February 16, 2018

London: A Kid’s View

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Our trip to London was one of our travel highlights. It was a last-minute trip that we miraculously managed to pull off despite the boys having expired passports that needed renewal! I fell in love with the city and I know my kids loved it too, they talk about it a lot.

Often times that is exactly how I can determine how much my kids loved a trip, or an experience we have together; with how the conversations veer one way or another toward a specific moment or meal or activity. But because they are older I thought it would be a good idea to give them a camera (one of my older ones) so that they could walk around and capture what they felt was the most impressive for them, or what they wanted to remember the most.

Our 11-year-old really took to photography. Our 12-year-old preferred taking photos with his phone. At first, my youngest would follow me around and almost shadow me as I walked to take a shot, or hung back a bit longer to get a perfect moment. I talked to him about F-stops and aperture and we would exchange lens so he could see how each one worked differently to provide a different view or feel of an image. Over time however, he would look for his own shots, captures that were significant to him and which caught his attention.

The photographer at work.

It was only recently that I got a chance to look at his photos from that trip and I have to say I am in awe. I know, I know…I’m his mom, but it’s not just that maternal pride. These photos allowed me to see London as he saw it and it made me teary because it again reinforces so many of the reasons why we do what we do.

Travel is a huge part of our family’s culture. It is a way to show our kids the world, to move their hearts and open their minds. I want them to connect to places, not just pass through them. I want them to travel with responsibility and respect for every person and place. In a time when travel imagery in travel media is represented as an unrealistic, unattainable illusion, I want to teach my kids that it isn’t about the “likes” (they are not on social media), or the bragging, or the airline miles, or the number of countries they have traveled to (which is a lot more than I had traveled to at their age).

It is so much deeper and meaningful and important and special than that. Seeing his photos, I realized that he gets it and I am so moved by that reality.

The following photos were by my 11-year-old son, on a hand-me-down Canon Rebel I gave him. He had no direction from anyone and they are truly his independent view of London. If ever there was a way to show how beautiful the world is through a child’s eyes, this is it. All photos have been shared with the photographer’s permission.

Enjoy.

 

Borough Market

Liberty Shopping Center

Street art in Shoreditch neighborhood of London and other street views

The Making of Harry Potter at Warner Bros. Studio just outside of London

Photographer’s father and older brother.

Butter beer ice cream.

A candid shot of the photographer’s mother in the crowd.

 “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” — Henry Miller

All photos are property of the publisher and may not be used without consent.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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2 Comments
  • Hannah
    March 27, 2020

    What a beautiful way to see the world! Such a lovely, and warm post. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Hannah
      April 3, 2020

      Thank you, Hannah! I appreciate everything so much more through their eyes.

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a des If you are a foodie traveler, Madison, WI is a destination for you. This list of good eats were all within close proximity to each other and spots we made time for during our short weekend visit. So definitely note that this doesn’t even begin to cover the tip of the iceberg, but makes a good starter list!

📍@ShortStackEats in the heart of Downtown Madison is clearly a UW favorite. Loved their pancakes! We thought it was a pricey for breakfast, and only offered drip coffee, but the scene was fun, food was good, and service was friendly.
📍@SardineMadison is a waterfront French bistro that has stood the test of time (we’ve been coming here since we lived in Madison!). It can feel very corporate some nights, but their Happy Hour and brunch are definite highlights and it’s a really nice dining experience overall.
📍@EatattheAudrey impressed us! It’s not your usual “hotel restaurant” and I would say it easily stands alone as an eatery worth checking out in Madison. Great breakfast options, cozy vibes, nice bar, and good service!
📍@RamenStation1124 good, affordable ramen.
📍BlindShotSocialClub We really loved this spot for brunch (sorry, was enjoying the company and totally spaced out on capturing food images!). Golf fans will love hitting the putt here (you can reserve a private room too), and what I though was most cool was the delicious and wide selection of non-alcoholic cocktails to choose from. This place is a total vibe!
📍@StringsRamen is a chain, but I have to say it is some of the best ramen I have had in a long time. I especially loved how you can choose your ramen but heat level but also by Japanese region which allowed us to taste a couple of new flavors!
📍@Parthenongyros has been around awhile (hubby recalls coming here during his college years!) and was voted #1 take out in Madison! Though we indulged inside and away from the snow. A delicious, quick bite when strolling around State Street.

And again, this is just a starter list. There is so much more to eat and enjoy in this top foodie city! What other spots would you add to this list?

#madisonwi #foodiegram #foodiedestinations #goodeats @destinationmadison
I love to travel. It has always been important to I love to travel. It has always been important to my family. My parents got my first passport weeks after I was born. They couldn’t afford to travel like I do now, but they understood, as immigrants, the absolute privilege that comes attached to having that shiny blue American booklet and they wanted me to have it.

I was yet again reminded of my privilege when my travel back home on this last trip was delayed over 24 hours. I have a village in place to make sure my kids were ok. Having my own business meant I didn’t have to report in to anyone, and was still able to work remotely so none of my clients were inconvenienced by it. Though the airline covered our hotel and food, we never worried that we couldn’t do it ourselves otherwise. While we were annoyed, we weren’t stressed.

So while I love to travel, and I love sharing my travels with you, I acknowledge that being able to do so, and dealing with the consistent travel disruptions so prevalent today without worries is a privilege…one that started with a little blue booklet that gives me more access to the world than some others do.

And I want us all in this travel space to be reminded of this. Of how lucky we are. Of our privilege to access and time and money.

So let us travel with grace and awareness. Let us remain rooted in reality and perspective. Acknowledging that our escapism isn’t one so easily accessible to others. Understanding that this is also why local stories have as much value as those to exclusive destinations, if not more. And, never forgetting, especially in the travel influencer and media space, that were it not for hosted campaigns and paid-for travel opportunities, most of us wouldn’t be able to afford the lifestyle we so beautifully curate online.

It doesn’t matter how often you travel, or how far. Just that hopefully you will be able to gift yourself the experience of doing so and experiencing something new.

#travel #travelmedia #travelinfluencer #wheretonext
As I work on compiling all the good eats I experie As I work on compiling all the good eats I experienced in Madison, WI, I have to ask: what is your favorite meal of the day, and where did you experience a highlight of the same?

I am a huge fan of breakfast. This beauty was a blueberry pancake order from @shortstackeats. Pancakes are not a big thing for me, but these were pretty perfect. I am craving them still. 🥞♥️

#madisonwi #goodeats #travelingfoodie @destinationmadison
We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a qui We got back on a plane! Here are scenes from a quick trip to Madison, WI - my first time back in 14 years! Though we were here for family matters, we did take a moment to explore a bit of what used to be a place we called home.

We couldn’t do anything else until we drove around Lake Monona, where we once had a home, and took in the wintery views (there is an epic 13.2-mile trail that loops around the lake that is worth exploring if you visit!). Though our time was limited, we were able to enjoy some of it along State Street exploring the shops, eateries, the FREE @mmocamadison, and the beautiful architecture of the WI State Capitol Building (the Dane County Farmers Market will soon pick up again - Saturdays, April 15 thru November 11, 2023 around the Capitol Building and it is one of the best farmers markets anywhere!). 

We booked a room at the @hiltonmadison Monona Terrace to be within walking distance of all the downtown fun (tip: for a room with a lake view make sure to book at the upper levels above 10th floor for an unobstructed view of Lake Monona). 

Madison, WI is a skip and a hop from the Finger Lakes so this short and sweet visit didn’t feel difficult at all. And we absolutely loved the winter scenery and seeing what has changed (a lot) since we lived here.

Stay tuned for my list of where we ate!

Have you ever been to Madison, WI?

#madisonwi #weekendgetaway #wisconsin @destinationmadison
The joy of that first sip of the day. #randommom The joy of that first sip of the day. 

#randommomentsarethebest
I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t be I think my husband enjoys it, but still can’t believe how easily I’ve been waking up in the early mornings since our last trip. Not sure how to shake it, or if it’s temporary, but here it is: the rare sighting of me up and moving early in the day. Am I a morning person now? Has travel ever permanently changed any of your habits?

#morningperson #lifeinthecountry #newme <-😂

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