You know what they say about opinions, right? We’ve all been on the receiving end of people’s recommendations, thoughts and ideas about anything and everything. Perhaps the worst time for having to absorb endless advice is when you’re pregnant. Luckily for me, when people found out I was having twins, then generally just shut-up. Unless of course, they also had twins, and then I was ALL EARS!
As I’ve talked to friends and perfect strangers (I was chatted up in the check-out at Target!) about my impending trip, I’ve been given a ton of information. A lot of the advice and comments were worthwhile, well received and much needed. But, there’s nothing interesting or funny about that. What is, are the following five things that were either recommended, related or asked about the Duathlon Championship race in Spain:
5. Are there characters in Spain? Ok, so this was asked by one of my five year-olds, Miles. I think he’s hoping Spain is like Disney World or Hershey Park. I don’t have the heart to tell him that the Frito Banditio may be the only “character” he sees, besides perhaps, some drunk Spaniards. I’ll let him figure it out on his own and then have Papi and Meme deal with it. And by “deal with it” I mean they will probably distract him with gelato and a sombrero souvenir.
I hope we see this guy!
4. They may start the race early and without warning. Um, what? If you don’t know or haven’t guessed, racers are a precise bunch. We’re basically a group of Type A psychos who calculate everything that can be calculated (think food, water, pace, mileage, tire pressure) and fully expect a race to start exactly on time! You should hear some of the comments at a start line when a race is 2 minutes late. If it started early there would be pandemonium….especially at the port-o-potty line.
This little tidbit came from my new friend Eric Schwartz. He’s an amazing tri and du-athlete who has competed at Worlds several times, all over the world and, I think may have won it a few times. I did a really fun Q&A podcast for his site this week and this was part of his “advice.” Apparently, when he was in Mexico competing in ’97 they were announcing the race in only Spanish, over a loud speaker that wasn’t very loud. Luckily for him, he was near the starting area about five minutes prior to the scheduled start time, when everyone suddenly started running. After a few seconds of confusion, he started his watch and ran after them. The race had apparently begun.
Good to know.
3. You shouldn’t bring kids to Europe. I was given this “advice” a few times over. Now usually I would be more then happy to leave the little devils at home and enjoy a European vacation with my husband. No brainer there. However, I’m 39 and may never compete at this level again, so they’re coming! Plus the little psychos could use some culture.
While booking one of the many hotel reservations, the gentlemen who was assisting me asked about all the people in my party. When I told him about the twins his response was “Oh really? You’re bringing young kids? Well, my mom always said if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” I wanted to respond with “Wow that was pretty rude and stupid considering the only thing you now know about me is that my mom did not give me the same advice, you jackass.” Instead, I just kept calming sipping my vodka tonic.
4. Are you going to be in Barcelona or Madrid? No. For some reason, this is overwhelmingly disappointing to people. I will be on the opposite end of the country in Pontevedra, which is in the Galicia township, on the Northwest coast. Not to be confused with poor baby North West.
5. Are you going to try and do this again? This is like asking a woman who has just delivered a baby if she wants to have another one. Unless she is still medicated and/or delirious, her response will most likely be “Hell no!” I would have the same response to this question. Plus, I’m going to need a new and different drug challenge. CRS (Coach Rocket Scientist) has hinted that she wants to see me swim. I think she has triathlons in mind next. I do have Ironman on my list of things to do before I die or things I wouldn’t mind dying while doing, so…
Happy holiday weekend everyone!
What’s the best/worst travel advice you ever received or have given?
Any good plans for the holiday weekend?
hahahah the last one is my favorite… let the pain die down and we forget about it before asking again!
I CAN NOT WAIT to hear about your race! Wish I could go!!!
Every mom has had to deal with that question, right? Crazy!!
I can’t wait to tell you all about it 🙂
Ha! These are great. Except for the one about bringing kids to Europe. Huh?
Galicia is an untapped beauty…a true hidden jewel. Not many people think about it….maybe it’s a blessing. Tourists are good, but… 😉
Have a great race!!
People are nuts. I’ve heard from many trustworthy sources (like yourself!) about the shear beauty of where we’re headed. Thanks for all the info you have given me. I can’t wait to see it all for myself!
Hahahha this is funny! People are so funny with the questions they ask! A lot of people ask me where I am from…..sometimes they have no idea where in the WORLD I am from….Australia is a usual guess, so when I say England, some people say “well yeah of course I knew that, where in England”, if I do not say London, I usually get a completely blank stare……kinda like the Barcelona madrid thing!
I think you will have a wonderful time, and it will be great for the kids to experience. I was a kid in Europe and I turned out fine….I think? 😛
Right?? I’m sure you get asked that as soon as you speak!! Because of the way I look, I get a lot of questions about my nationality too. I’m positive people will assume I speak Spanish when I’m there, and I’ll have to hang my head in shame!!
Thanks so much Tina!!
Everyone will give you advice on everything and anything I have found out the hard way. That said, I think my favorite is that last one and how many time pregnant and still now have I heard from other asking, “Do I want more kids?” But seriously, have wonderful weekend and yay to it being a long, holiday weekend for all of us 🙂
I think people ask that sometimes just to make conversation. It’s weird. People ask me a lot if I have any other kids besides the twins and I happily report that “No, they are quite enough!”
Have a great weekend with your family Janine!
Seriously…what’s wrong with some people?
Good tip about starting the race early…that would throw me way off. I’d be swearing up and down for the first 10 minutes about it!
I know!! I’m so glad he told me that. I’m hoping things have changed quite a bit since ’97, but if not, I’ll be ready!
Tim has the day off today and just read your blog, he said he is taking notes of the 5 most annoying questions/comments to ask you on Saturday! :):) Btw, we think its AWESOME you are taking your 5 year olds to Europe!
That is hilarious!! I can’t wait to see you both.
And, you think it’s a great idea because you don’t have any kids (yet!) 🙂 HA HA HA!!!
Oh people and their opinions… I’m beginning to understand that more and more the bigger I get with baby. Everyone and their brother want to tell you about having babies and what to do with them. I’m sure it’s because they’re excited for me, and the same for you. But sometimes crazy stuff comes out. We’re working on house projects this week and attending a local Irish festival for the first time. Should be interesting!
Oh yes, you’re right at the height of baby advice! I have to say, now being on the other side of it, it’s very hard to hold you’re advice for someone you care about. But, ultimately, every mom and every child is different so really, the best advice is to just do your best and good luck!
Sounds like a fun weekend! Enjoy…
Characters in Spain -that’s hilarious! There are characters everywhere; they just won’t be in a costume. This experience is going to give you blog material for months and month, Allie. Can’t wait to read it all!
I was thinking the same thing! I’m going to have to take LOTS of notes…
At least you found the unsolicited advice entertaining…. probably after you found it annoying but hey, whatever works 🙂
So true!! It’s one of those times when I’m really glad I have a blog, because I can use it as material.
(eyeroll). Isn’t it great to be “older”? I just tune all this crap out now! John was very happy not having to swim last weekend. He was mentioning becoming a duathlete 🙂
I read that!! Not to mentioned he has placed in both Du’s he’s competed in. I think he found out why I love the duathlon so much 🙂
Haha number three just made me laugh out loud! I am just so in awe of how awesome a competitor you are!
As far as travel advice goes, when I go on long flights I like to make sure I have my own blanket/wrap/scarf to cover myself with, my travel pillow, an eye mask and noise cancelling headphones. I find that it helps me sleep. I also try and get on the time zone I’m going to when I get on the plane.
Have a great weekend!
I actually bought the kids their own travel pillows so they can conk out! I definitely have mine, and the wrap is a great tip! I have the perfect one. Thank you!
Number 3 is RIDICULOUS! Europe is so child friendly. I would have told that guy to go scratch. The ‘are you going to do it again’ one – don’t get me started.
Isn’t it though? I think his mother just didn’t want to travel with him!
I’m sorry, they just randomly start running? Like a stampede? LOL That one totally cracked me up. As did your Type A description of runners…which is completely spot on.
Worst advice I ever got was, when I was thinking about traveling somewhere (I can’t even remember where exactly now!) someone told me “If you go there, never leave the resort. You’ll die.” Awesome, thanks!!
I’m thinking that vodka tonic has definitely been necessary in all of this planning.
I think you will always be thankful that the boys are going with you – they are going to love it!!!
Absolutely!!! It’s going to be a great experience for ALL of us.
I think it’s awesome you’re bringing your kids. We had a friend that got married in Spain years ago and I wanted to go to the wedding. My mom in law volunteered to watch one of the kids but not the baby. Neither one of us could imagine taking one kid and not the other in case something happened to us (I know, we were ridiculously hormonal about that stuff then) and then I found cheap tickets. So off we went. It was wonderful. First of all, they are very kind to children there…it was never a bother. People in restaurants made balloon animals for them and hats and spoke to them so kindly all the time. We traveled with friends for part of it, and then broke off, lest they get tired of us, since no one else had kids. It was a fabulous trip and yours is going to be too!
Thank you for telling me that Michelle!! I don’t blame you for not wanting to leave one of your kids – I totally get that. I’m sure we will ALL have a great time. One of the best things is that the boys have no idea what they’re about to experience. It’s going to be amazing to see their reactions to everything!! I also can’t wait to see what kinds of new things they start eating 🙂
haha I love that they boys asked about characters—that is the best question ever!! I mean, of course there would be characters–why on earth would we be travelling for such a long period of time?!
You will NEVAH be North west!! haha
I think its pretty hard bringing kids ANYWHERE so you might as well take em!! I am not good at travelling with my kids at all but like you aid this may be once in a lifetime so you might as well do it BIG! Besides, how awesome will be for them to be there with you and tell that story to their kids??? So amazing. You totally made the right decision with that one.
Thanks Nellie – for everything!! I would be A LOT more worried if my dad and stepmom weren’t coming. They are so great with the boys and know when to step in and just swoop them away… I’m pretty sure we’re all going to have a blast!
We brought our kids to Europe and IT WAS FANTASTIC FUN!!
Plus, your twins are at an age where they will remember that they went to Spain with their family, and childhood memories galore!
Exactly!!! Thank you Alison! I think we’re all going to have an incredible experience.
ha, that is hilarious! That people ask you that. It’s like asking someone if they plan to get pregnant again when they’re not even in labor yet – just nervously waiting for it. Umm…ask me again in two years?
Love the question about the characters. Scarlet would ask me if there were princesses there. For sure. And in a lot of countries there are.
And in regard to taking your kids on this trip. Umm…YES!? World travelers!
I know you totally understand Tamara! At least I was able to tell them that we’re going to see castles and caves in Portugal, which of course, led to them asking about Princesses! I’ll have to take pictures for Scarlet if we do see one 🙂
Haha, people never cease to amaze me. I do have to say that I am impressed you are bringing the boys. I won’t touch that with a ten foot pole. The thought of traveling with them for 4 hours to the west coast makes me want to hurl, let alone across the ocean. Too stressfull, I have to give you major props for taking them. I would be afraid of the lack of sleep from adjusting to the time change. I am working most of the holiday weekend unfortunately. It was either Memorial day or 4th of July for my summer holiday, so I picked this one! Hope you have a great weekend!
Thanks Sue!! I know it’s going to be challenging at times but, I have my secret weapons of Papi and Meme!!! They are so good with the boys and, most of the time, the kids would rather be with Papi anyway which works out well for me. We’ll see what I have to say when this is over 🙂
You picked the right weekend to work. Just think – in less then 6 weeks you’ll be basking in 4th of July glory!
Okay, what’s the deal with not taking the kids to Europe? Do they not have them there? Perhaps all Europeans are born elsewhere and imported in around 17 or 18. I mean, even the hotel dude seemed weird about it. I would’ve said yes, I’m bringing them. Oh, and did I mention my cat and dog? I’m bringing them too.
It’s not so much advice but once I was on an elevator when Ryan was an infant with a much older, like 70 yo, couple. The old lady kept shaking her head and saying “babies having babies” and clicking her tongue. I wanted to throat punch her.
OMG I cannot believe she said that!? How did you manage to NOT throat punch her?? I have to say, I find that older people can be incredibly rude. I think they just don’t care anymore, or they think I actually care about their opinion. Either way, I’ve gotten the most rude comments about my kids from the elderly. Jeesh.
I find Europe to be very kid friendly. I live here and have never had any issues taking my kids anywhere. Restaurants will always bring their meals first so they do not have to wait, in rest stops there are small child size toilets and there is always a child meal on the menu.
Races in France start on time, at least the bigger ones. Never been to a race that didn’t start on time !
Sounds like Europe is MORE accommodating to kids!! Thank you so much. I’m sure we will all have a great time – and everything will be ON TIME at the race 🙂
I don’t know how I missed this. I laughed my ass off especially the North West comment! What the hell? Starting the race earlier than what was scheduled would put me in melt down mode!