Sunday, July 04, 2010

Letting go


‘Mum! She’s 18!’


I suppose I was being a bit wussy. Our grand-daughter is off to Mexico with a school friend to work in an orphanage for three weeks of her vacation. But I remembered when I was that age and a girl friend and I thought nothing of getting in a car with three men we had just met. But that was the forties in the Lake District, they were northerners (so they had to be decent) – and climbers- the crème de la crème in our girlish estimation. We spent two days with them and they were perfect gentlemen. And such fun.


At least I have learned a little geography. Puerto Vallarta is in Central America on the Pacific coast and a popular tourist area with lovely beaches and a church which seems to be visible from all angles. The tourism attracted a large influx of people looking for jobs and the infrastructure isn’t there to cater for them so there is some poverty.

At her age I was half way through a three year training to become a State Registered Sick Children’s Nurse so I’m happy she likes working with children but also pleased she plans to go to University. She has promised to do a post for me on her return. Meanwhile here are a few pictures. Its doctors and nurses for us on Monday.

19 comments:

Kim Ayres said...

It's true - I'd have been far more worried about a daughter heading off to the Lake District with 3 strange men than going to work in Mexico.

When I was 18 I was... doing all sorts of things I wouldn't want my children doing

Pat said...

Kim: thereby hangs a post? You I'm talking about;)

Eryl said...

Good for your granddaughter, what a worthy thing to do in the holidays, and she will be better equipped to deal with university for it. Young people give me such hope.

Now, about that Lake District trip young lady...

Pat said...

Eryl: I am quite proud of her but she really loves children.

Granny Annie said...

We will forever preach "Do as I say and not as I do." The things I got by with as a teenager make me doubly fearful for my granddaughters.

Pat said...

Grannie Annie: I just hope the Guardian Angel I had looks out for her too.

Ms Scarlet said...

My Mum has similar back and white holiday pics where she is fraternising whith strange men!
...and she used to tell me off for coming home late at night. Tut!
Sx

Ms Scarlet said...

...Doctors and nurses?
Sx

Kim Ayres said...

No posts about those things, Pat. Firstly I don't want my kids reading about them and secondly I don't want to incriminate myself legally either...

Pat said...

Kim:I have slightly the same problem in my - franker than in my blog - book - with my son editing it.

Pat said...

Scarlet: the truth is I think there should be a little discretion between generations.
MTL saw the doctor and I saw the nurse - a long drawn out affair with an x-ray or two and hopefully a good outcome.

sablonneuse said...

It sounds like hard work but I do hope your granddaughter enjoys herself and meets lots of interesting people and gorgeous children.
Of course you'll be worried but you're level headed enough not to get paranoid.

Pat said...

Sandy: I'm glad you think so;) I'm sure it will be a great experience. She has her head screwed on and would think I'm being silly. I have to trust her common sense and level headedness.

Anonymous said...

and climbers- the crème de la crème

True. True, indeed.

Congrats to your granddaughter. My daughter's boyfriend just did a week down there running an eyeglass clinic.

BTW, I've been to Puerto Vallarta, and it's not a bad town, as far as I could tell. Yet, it's still third world.

Cheers.

Pat said...

Randall: ha ha!
How interesting that your daughter's boy friend has just been there.
I hope she meets young people of other nations. It feels more familiar now you and Judy know it.

Kath said...

I hope she has a wonderful (and safe!) time in Mexico - what a great reason to go! The big thing, of course, is to not go anywhere alone.

Pat said...

Kath: thank you for that. I've passed the message on.

Nea said...

"A little discretion between generations" sounds like an excellent idea.

This makes me realise I only have 5 years to go before my eldest will be 18 :o
I'll start worrying about it now, then in 5 years time I'll be used to it :)

Looking forward to your granddaughter's post.

Pat said...

Nea: I'm amazed at how my son and wife seem perfectly calm about her trip - but then they have her - as a lively teenager - at home most of the time. I expect you know what I'm talking about:)