The Next Niece – Destination Unknown
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Where in the world did she get a crazy idea like that? A 16-year-old who has never been out of the country, has no passport, and wants to go to Asia or Africa? Her exact words, “I want to go somewhere culturally shocking. So I’ve narrowed it down to Asia or Africa for sure.” I stare at the words in the email and then realize – oh yes – she is MY niece. Maybe, just maybe, I have more impact and influence than I think at times. My emotions flowed from shock to immense pride.
When I decided to start the Niece Project – taking each of my six nieces on a trip anywhere they wanted to go in the world after the age of 16 – I hadn’t really thought through it too well. I just felt that it was important for them to have a travel mentor since I never really felt like I had one, and hence why I didn’t really have a passport until I was 30.
I also must admit that I felt like it would be a much more effective way to bond with them rather than bonding over physical gifts for birthdays and Christmas. Bonding is a big piece of this project for me. After all, I never had any intention of having kids, and my nieces will be the family that I need to depend upon as I grow older alone.
But the project has yielded so many surprises to me – the latest was this apparent influence I’ve had on Evie (my brother’s oldest daughter). I am in awe of her daring and desire to make this trip “something different”. It reminds me of what a dreamer I used to be at that age – yet I didn’t have anyone telling me – ok…let’s go! And this summer we are going somewhere, apparently culturally shocking, but we don’t really know where yet. We are still trying to figure that out.
However – first things first – before we can even get out of the country and start on our Niece Project travels this summer we have to get Evie a passport – something that no one in her family has…yet. When I was there visiting this summer I decided to get the ball rolling and lead her through the process. I’ve never gotten a passport for a minor – so this was new territory for me.
We went online to www.travel.state.gov/passport to determine the requirements, which ended up being fairly simple:
- Fill Out Form DS-11: Application For A U.S. Passport
- Submit Completed Form DS-11 In Person
- Submit Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (a birth certificate will do)
- Present Identification (Driver’s License is fine)
- Submit a Photocopy of the Identification Document(s) Presented (Step 4)
- Pay the Applicable Fee ($135)
- Provide One Passport Photo
Evie was able to fill everything out online and print out the completed form. Then one day when she had early dismissal from school we decided to go make an ‘international day’ out of the process and go out for Vietnamese food and get passport photos taken. Who knew there was such tasty Vietnamese food in Lincoln Nebraska – but I must admit I was impressed.
Check out this list of gifts for friends going traveling
Plus, one of my favorite things about traveling with Evie is that she will try any food you put in front of her. She may be wary, but she will at least give it a try. I got her to fall in love with the Taro smoothie and bubble tea, as well as the Pho. Over lunch, we chatted about when she could travel this summer, what her goals were, and what types of places we could go to.
Besides finding a place culturally shocking (which is pretty much anything outside of Nebraska!), we also talked about her love of food and desire to meet locals. We talked about countries such as Laos, Japan, Burma, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Ecuador, Peru, and Mongolia. I can’t wait to see where we may end up!
The next stop was passport photos where the little guy at the drug store also was eager to give us ideas on where to go for our trip. He was lobbying for Cambodia and Angkor Wat. With photos and application completed – now her mom simply had to take her to the post office and get the form submitted and paid for.
Four weeks later…
Now…the big decision…where?
- The Niece Project
- Seeing Rome Through New Eyes
- For an Immersive Local Experience Try a Rome Food Tour
- Getting the Most Out of a Vatican Museum Visit
- Rome Travel Tips: Skip Lines, Get Around, Eat Like a Local
- Put These Three Stops on your Amalfi Coast, Italy Itinerary
- How to Eat Pizza Like an Italian
- The Next Niece – Destination Unknown
- Evie’s Decision
- Modern Family
- Are we There Yet?
- Assuming Responsibility
- Finding our Stride in Hanoi
- What to Expect in Halong Bay
- Local Experiences Along the Tourist Trail in Huede
- Taking the High Road Hai Van Pass
- Hunting for Photos in Hoi An
- Saigon Unseen
- The Incredible Edible Egg Embryo Hot Vit Lon
- Saigon Street Food
- How to be a Good First Time Traveler
- The Niece Project Version 3.0
- Bumpy Beginnings Niece Project 3.0
- How to travel with other people’s kids
- New Perspectives in the Sacred Valley
- Into Thin Air with a Teenager
- Inca Trail Alternate Route
- Machu Picchu a Decade Later
- It’s a Jungle Out There
- A Teenager’s View of Peru
- Building Homes in Las Laderas Peru
- Project Peru
- Feeding the Masses in Puente Piedra
- Niece Project 4.0 The Decision
- Week In-stagram Review Belize
- Welcome to the Belize Jungle
- How To Be First In the ATM Cave Belize
- Taking Flight in Belize
- 3 Ways to Explore Belize Caves
- Under the Sea in Belize
- Exploring Firsts in Placencia Belize
- Niece Project 5.0 Travel Decisions
- New Zealand In-stagram Review
- Getting To New Zealand: Niece Project 5.0
- What the Niece Project Taught me About Traveling With Teenagers
- Why I Love to Take Teenagers on Small Group Tours
- Taking the Leap into Fear
- Flying Tips on How to Deal with Long Flights
- The Last Niece Project Goes To…
- An Aunt, a Niece, and India
- How to Spend a Day Like a Local in Jaipur
- My 6 Favorite Experiences in Rajasthan India
- Experiencing India As a Teenager
- Too Scared to Travel To India? I Have a Solution…
- The End of the Niece Project
Sherry, I love this idea! My grandfather had a similar idea, but being the oldest of just three cousins, I was the only one who got to take a trip with him – all over France, from Nice to Normandy – before he passed away. My step-grandmother wanted to follow suit, but I was the only one willing to take another trip. When I moved to Spain, I became her official tour guide, a great first month in the country I now call home. Excited to hear where Evie will choose!
I cannot tell you how much I love this idea. I’ve decided to do something similar with those of my sister’s kids who are willing. Earlier this year, I took my 9-yr old niece and 16-yr old nephew to France and they loved it. It seems like every time I see them now, we’re talking about where we want to go next!
I actually asked my niece one day to make a list of the places she wants to go and Easter Island was number one. Then I asked how she could earn the money to pay for the trip cause she’s not exactly employable. 🙂 So, we are in the process of starting a business to support the goal of traveling. Can’t wait to see how things turn out!
What a lucky girl Evie is to have you for an Aunt! Can’t wait to hear aboutbthis adventure.
So exciting! I love this project. If she enjoys eating anything you put in front of her, it’s sure to be a great adventure. I’m sort of rooting that you’ll go to Myanmar, but wherever you go, it’s sure to be awesome!
This is so great! I’m totally biased, but I vote Africa. It was my first non-first world trip as a teenager and it changed everything.
Can’t wait to see where niece #2 ends up!
This is such a great idea. I see this becoming a sort of big brother/big sister type organization to benefit kids all over. I’d do it!
What excitement in that face, showing you her first little blue book!
I love this project of yours – can’t wait to see where you both decide to go, and how you narrow it down.