I met 11-yr. old Naz at the airport on my way to Louisville, KY. I was sipping hot green tea when she caught my eye. She was giggling with her brother and father and she flashed me a smile that lit up the terminal.
When I introduced myself to her family, she was very eager to put away her iPod and sit with me. Under the watchful eye of her grandmother, Naz answered each of my questions with her hands folded neatly in her lap. After the interview, she reached out her 11-year old arm to shake hands with me and politely said, ‘It was nice to speak with you, Elisabeth. This was fun.’ Her mature response left me smiling and a bit amazed. Naz’s responses to my questions about travel are below.
Do you like to travel? Why or why not?
I love to travel because it is fun to go to different places and seeing everything that is new to me.
What is your favorite thing about travel? Least favorite thing?
My favorite part about travel is I get to go in a plane! (Least) Going back home. I’m always a bit sad to leave.
Where is your favorite place that you have traveled?
Florida because it is so hot and sunny and its beautiful!
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you want to go?
I would go to California because I have heard it is really sunny and bright there and kinda different from where I live (Cincinnati). There is a lot of rain here and I don’t like rain.
What is the perfect length of a family trip?
10 days. Not too long or too short
What do you always want to have with you when you are traveling?
Probably a toothbrush.
What kinds of things do you learn when you are traveling?
If you go to really different places, you learn about new cultures. I am from Turkey, so if you go there, you will see and learn new things.
Who is our favorite person to travel with?
My mom because she always comes prepared.
What kind of vacation is your favorite?
I like staying at a hotel. They always have great service where I go. And I don’t have to make my bed.
What advice do you have for kids?
Always stay close to your parents.
What advice do you have for parents that take their kids traveling?
Take your kids to more places that are fun for them. Like maybe an indoor pool, a zoo, a huge playground, or a great museum.
When you are older, will you travel more for work or pleasure?
Probably for pleasure, but I have no clue what I want to do.
What has traveling taught you?
It has taught me that many places are different than where I live. I am always surprised at how different we are, but we are really just the same.
