David Boesch is a physician in Arizona, United States. The leader, the planner & the adventurer. Jill, a nurse in training, is the backbone providing ample love and support to the team.
Joseph (Joe): A student of 7th grade, Joseph is 13 years old with a great sense of humour. He is the perfect company for his dad when it comes to adventure and travel.
Thomas (Tom): This 9 – year - old “Harry Potter” is so popular that his 4th grade class has his picture on the world map in the classroom and his friends mark on the map each day, the country Tom is in.
Camila (Cami): Studying in the second grade, 7 year – old - Cami is the youngest in the family and a complete animal lover, with special love for dogs and penguins.

We all love travel. But how many of us would actually pack up all our belongings, rent our house and stay away from home, family and friends for months — just to see the world ? Here is a family, which is doing just that, all for the love of travel. David Boesch, Jill, Joseph, Thomas and Camila are avid travelers. The Boeschs' are currently on the move on a year-long world travel, which they consider more a learning experience than a vacation. Starting from Arizona on May 31 2007, the Boesch family has so far visited 10 countries. The travel around the world ends in late 2008. This is truly admirable, considering there are three children in the group and having to cope with changes in the body clock, climate, food habits and culture makes it a ‘not so easy’ task.

The choice of destinations was a big team effort. The family drilled down to the final list of the places they wanted to see after considering various aspects of safety, weather, cost, and variety. The Boesch couple hopes to return with children who have an understanding and appreciation of other cultures. They hope traveling will make them confident, humble children who are observant, respectful and appreciative. The family is currently in Mysore and are the guests of Colonel Suryanarayana and Shanta in Gokulam.
www.boeschfamilytravels.com is a must - see website, which will truly take you around the world.

How did the idea of traveling the world evolve and for how long have you planned this?
Our friends traveled the world in 1993, which was when the initial idea struck to us. We also read a couple of books on travel. Our plan was to travel before we had children. But once we decided to make a family, we thought it would be more fun to travel with the children. The idea of traveling either with a 2 – year - old or a 16 – year - old didn’t seem too good. Our children are just about the right age now to have some memories of the trip. Furthermore, we dint want to interrupt High School. This is the perfect timing for our travel and we have planned this for over 5 years.

How does your travel plan work? Do you make your reservations prior to the travel or take each day as it comes?
We traveled the first three months within the United States. We just added Japan to our itinerary which was not on our list before. We are working with a company called Air Tracks from whom we purchase air tickets for our travel. Only the arrival and departures for big cities have been planned and we do not have any other reservations. We plan the travel as and when we get to the place. If we don’t like some place, we move on. We have tried to plan in a way that we are always in a place where the weather is temperate.

It is a year - long trip. What about the children's education?
We have carried the children's school books with us and are home - schooling them while on the travel. David teaches Joseph Algebra, Latin, Vocabulary and Literature. And I teach Cami and Thomas Math, Language and other subjects.

How are you able to manage the very long travel?
David is a physician and he has carried with him all medicines which make us feel very safe. I don’t know if I would do this trip if David wasn't accompanying.
David adds "It is very important to take one day at a time. If we try to do too many things, we get overwhelmed. So we break up the plan and first chalk out the route. We sometimes take a ‘vacation in the vacation’ and relax."

Are you enjoying the travel?
Very much. Many countries which have only been on the map for us so far are real now. There is so much learning in terms of the values, food and culture in every country. After this travel, children will have a platform to interact better with people they meet. This is not a real vacation where for instance, we just visit a beach and return home. This is an adventure we take as a family and believe that this will bring us closer together as a family.

Do you ever feel homesick during the long months away from home?
Yes we do. Some days are hard and some times we just want to go back home. As this is Christmas time, it is very hard to stay away from family and friends. We have left behind in the US, two dogs, of which one is sick. Also, one grandma we had adopted just passed away. It does not feel good that we are away at these times. Jill says "Children are happy where ever they are and they pep us up when David and I are feeling a little low. But this travel has got us all closer. Each one knows when the other is not feeling very good and has learnt to be more supportive.

What is the best thing you have done in this travel?
The kids: In the US, we got to meet a lot of people we don’t get to visit often. Some of the best things were the snake charmers in Cochin, swimming with sea turtles in Africa, holding baby turtles, hiking and exploring the caves.

Which has been the most exciting place you've visited so far?
Joe and Cami: “Tanzania because of the safari.” Toms' favourite was Capadocia in Turkey. He says "People in Turkey really like kids and they even gave us chocolates. But Tanzania will always be my second favourite.”

Who updates the website?
David: We update the site whenever we can access the internet. The kids hand write their journals and I try and put them into the site “as is”.

Was the travel a good decision?
Jill: Sometimes I worry and wonder if the travel is worth and was it the right thing to do. But we realize this is not just a travel, it is a way of life. We are happy that our children got a chance to experience some of the things they have only read in books. We also made a lot of friends with whom we will be in touch always.

What parts of India did you visit?
Boeschs': We initially planned eight days in Rajasthan. But since we traveled continuously, we decided to do just South India this time. It was very difficult to plan India as we could not locate and make reservations for trains online. We visited Bangalore, Trivandrum, Varkala Beach, Cochin and now Mysore.

How do you rate India as a travel destination?
Jill and David: India is so different from US. There is tremendous learning opportunity here. People are very friendly. It is amazing to see the mix of religion in India. But we must say it is very hard to travel in India and it was crazy when we first got here. We dint know how to get around and we were intimidated. Varkala was a disappointment. People were not friendly and had no regards for our children. None of the drivers used a meter in the auto rickshaws when we traveled, and some never gave us a ride. Their sole intention was making money.

Is this your first Christmas outside your country?
Joe: Yes, this is first Christmas outside. We spend Christmas with our grand mom and cousins every year. We truly miss being there.

What are the best memories that you would carry back?
Boeschs’: The elephant camp, the snake charmers, the Dolphin flip in Varkala and the backwater cruise are some of the best memories we take back from India.

Courtesy: Star of Mysore

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