Interview with the kidlet...

(Jenn)

A couple of weeks ago, I was asking Anica some questions about the trip and I suggested I should interview her. She loved the idea and poked me a couple of times about doing it. Finally I sat down, wrote out some questions and did the interview. I have /tried/ to transcribe her answers. It would have been better with a video or tape recorder but we didn't have anything handy and often, with kids, time is of the essence.

Q. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

A. My name's Anica and I'm 7 years old.

Q. Where are you going on your "Big World Trip"?

A. Around the world. Europe... Asia... Italy...

Q. Who is going with you?

A. Mummy, Daddy and my doll, Baby

Q. How are you going to get to places?

A. Plane, overnight trains, trains, buses, taxis and cars.

Q. Where are you going to first? Second? Third? After that?

A. Vancouver, Singapore, Malaysia... Egypt?

Q. What are you taking with you?

A. Hat, sunglasses, my doll, Baby, whistle (for if I get lost), some clothes, a hat... I already said that... bathing suit and towel... Am I bringing my goggles?

[me: If you want to.]

I want to! Nintendo DS and the laptop...

Q. What do you think will be the best part of the trip?

A. My birthday, Paige's birthday, Christmas. Swimming in pools and going to the beach.

[Paige is her best friend]

Q. What do you think you might not like about the trip?

A. Getting lost.

[we stop here for assurances she won't get lost]

Q. What places/things are you most excited about?

A. England, Italy and having my birthday in India.

Q. What kinds of food do you most want to try?

A. New foods. Something that looks good.

Q. What do you most want to do or try?

A. Snorkelling, overnight trains...

Q. What's been the best part of getting ready so far?

A. Getting to practice swimming.

Q. What are you going to do about school while we're away?

A. Homeschool.

[me: What does that mean?]

Having my mum and dad teach me.

[me: Are you looking forward to that?]

Not really.

[me: *laughs* Why not?]

It's going to be fun just not as fun as the other...

[me: As going to real school?]

No, as not doing any school.

Q. What is your advice about spending money on our trip?

A. Don't spend it on things you think are going be cool but turn out to be dumb.

Q. Is it okay to have a splurge?

A. No.

Q. What are you going to spend your money on? [she has a small allowance for the trip]

A. Jewellry and clothes.

Q. How long are you going for?

A. A year.

Q. Are you going to see any family or friends while you're on your trip?

A. Nana and Grandpa and Poppa and maybe Momma.

[me: Where are you going to see them?]

Nana and Grandpa in France, Poppa in Egypt and some of India [actually, Thailand, Cambodia and India] and Momma maybe in Italy.

Q. What do you think you'll miss most about Canada besides friends and family?

A. My stuffties. But don't put that... put stuffed animals.

[pause for small talk about how lots of people have a pet name when they're little for their stuffed toys]

Q. How much money do you think the trip will cost us?

A. $1000

Q. What advice do you have for grownups or other kids who are doing trips like this?

A. Don't go into countries that you don't think you'll like or don't sound good. Do fun stuff like swimming, the beach, restaurants.