The Americas North to South, Part 1: Mom! There's a Lion in the Toilet

By Lisa Anderson

Early praise for the series: "Mom! There’s a Lion in the Toilet"
"Mom, There's a Lion in the Toilet" is thoroughly enjoyable and a must-read for travel lovers of all ages. The stories of the Anderson's fascinating cultural encounters and remarkable travel experiences are so good they're better than fiction.
Andrea Phare, Communications Specialist, Elk Island Public Schools

"Mom! There’s a Lion in the Toilet!" is a fun read for families and those who love world travel. The book might bring back memories of your family vacations... the good, the bad and the happenings that made great stories. In fact, after reading this delightful book, you might just start packing for your ‘round the world adventure. This book weaves in memories from the family blog, the children’s journals and the family’s recollections of a trip that has painted memories that will last a lifetime!
Charmaine Hammond, Bestselling Author of On Toby’s Terms.

An inspiration to all those who seek to follow their dreams and those who are struggling to find "lift-off". I can't wait to read the whole adventure!"
Vicki Barnes, Christchurch, New Zealand

"Mom! There’s a Lion in the Toilet" is a fascinating book that takes you on an extraordinary adventure teaching about geography, history, cultural diversity, and globalization but most of all - love for family and friends.
Theresa Wells-Taylor, educational blogger, Jar of Candy

Rick and Lisa celebrated their twentieth wedding anniversary in a way most people wouldn't dare. They packed up their four children, three of them teenagers and one a precocious six year old, and bought a one way ticket to a destination far away, letting their children lead the way.
In the first continents of the 'round the world adventure, The Americas North to South follows the Anderson's as they leave Canada, stop off in the United States en route for Lima, Peru. There, they explore the heights of the Lost City of the Inca, Machu Picchu. Unbelievable tales are shared with classmates and friends back home.
Pack your suitcase, and come along for the ride in Part 1 of Mom! There's a Lion in the Toilet, based on the true-life extraordinary adventures of 6 Andersons 1 World.

To be released Fall/Winter 2012 in ebook format:
Part 2: Whirl across Europe
Part 3: Gasp! The Middle East
Part 4: Southeast Asia for the Holidays
Part 5: Off to the Land of Oz
Part 6: Paused in Polynesia

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lisa Anderson
• Release date: Aug 24, 2012
• ISBN: 9780988084803

Lisa Anderson

Would you drop your confortable, daily routine and set off to explore the world with your husband and four children on a globe-trotting adventure of a lifetime? Life is full of such opportunities, some of them by chance and others by choice. Lisa Anderson, middle school teacher, small business manager and farmwife, embraced the risks, and has never regretted it. Now a Canadian Author Association award nominee and popular guest speaker, she spends her days encouraging others to live their best life, at every age. And she continues to explore our world with her family, one day at a time.

Book preview

The Americas, North to South

#1 in the series:

Mom! There’s a Lion in the Toilet!

By Lisa Anderson

The Americas, North to South

#1 in the series:

Mom! There's a Lion in the Toilet

by Lisa Anderson

Copyright 2012 Lisa Anderson. All rights reserved.

Cover and maps by Katie Dooley Designs.

Smashwords Edition

eISBN: 9780988084803

Rating: General Audience

For additional titles by this author, visit http://www.6andersons1world.blogspot.com

#1: The Americas, North to South

#2: A Whirl Through Europe

#3: Gasp! The Middle East

#4: Southeast Asia for the Holidays

#5: Off to the Land of Oz

#6: Paused in Polynesia

Disclaimer: Though this story is based on actual places, people and events, in the interest of weaving a compelling tale and protecting the innocent, certain details may have been altered, changed or simply forgotten along the way. We apologize for any errors or omissions made. Let’s chalk them up to personal interpretation, confusion or just plain mistakes. It was a long trip. We tried to catch all the mistakes, but, alas, we are but human. Please don’t take any too seriously. If something is really quite alarming, or if you'd like to share your comments or review, we'd love to hear from you, our readers. Please contact us and we can make our amends in the next edition of the book. Bon voyage! Hope you enjoy the trip!

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The Americas, North to South

#1 in the series:

Mom! There’s a Lion in the Toilet!

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

The Idea

The Bags are Packed

First Stop, the Edge of Canada

Dance, Dance, Wherever you may be

The Grand Adventure Begins

Derek at Port Alberni, Vancouver Island

Brief Stop: Hollywood USA

Derek at Hollywood, and Lima, Peru,

Waking up in Lima

Lima, According to Rick

Lima, Peru by Jaclyn

Barranco by the Sea

Up, Up to the Land of the Ancient Inca

The Sacred Valley

Derek at Pisac

Ahhhh Machu picchu….

Machu Pichu, by Jaclyn

Back to the Cusi Wasi

Up too high, and feeling low

Happily back at sea level

Back in Lima by Jaclyn

Peru, in South America

Punta Hermosa y Playa

Islas Ballistas, Peru’s Island Reserve

Sandboarding at the Oasis, the whole story

Derek at Miraflores

A Final Pisco Sour

Coffee with Juan Valdez

Twenty years from now

you will be more disappointed

by the things that you didn’t do

than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore.

Dream.

Discover.

Mark Twain, 1835 – 1910

For Dad,

for showing your children the world,

and inspiring us

to do the same.

The Idea

Derek

My mom’s a teacher.

Except she doesn’t teach school anymore, not since just after I was born. She works with my dad in their own business, which does soil sampling for oil and gas companies. They take samples so that the government can be sure that they are keeping Alberta clean. Or, at least making some attempt to clean it up. We farm, too, but not nearly as much as we used to.

A couple of years ago we moved from our small-town farmhouse into the suburbs. Why? Well, the main reason was so that my older brother and I could have more options for high school, and of course, to play hockey. And so my sisters could be closer to their Irish dance studio, which was an hour and a half away.

My mom had complained that with all the driving, she felt like she was living in our Suburban. My dad found a quiet street with large lots, walking distance to the best schools, and picked out a house.

I like the city, and I am really glad we moved. My dad would still rather live at the farm, which means everyone is not always happy. But then again, what family is?

Each year at New Year’s we have a family tradition. We make a resolution, like most people try to do, but it’s more like a family goal. This year, ours was a big one.

Kids, my Dad announced. This year, our family is going on a trip around the world.

Really?

Now you have to understand that when my dad makes an announcement, he is not messing around. I guess we all better start packing.

Lisa

My first reaction was that this must be some kind of mid-life crisis, a just turned 40 thing, or another of the big grand schemes which would probably pass.

Then again, those ideas are the type that swirl around in Rick’s head for a while, come out in conversation a few times, but are rarely shared with our kids or friends or family, at least until the trigger is pulled, so to speak. Maybe this one was for real?

Sounds great! When do we leave? I played along with the game, a smile on my face. I mean, who doesn’t have the dream to travel the world?

I was thinking November, before the snow flies. Same as the last time we went, Rick answered.

Obviously he had already thought this one through. I wondered how much time had passed before he decided to share his plan with us, rather than allowing me to digest the idea before throwing it out there to the kids. I really don’t like promising things that we can’t follow through with, and this idea didn’t seem probable. At least, not yet.

Last time? I asked.

Yeah. Last time we left in November, and were gone for five months. This time we should go for a whole year, Rick stated without hesitation. He looked at me hopefully.

"Um. Right. But last time, that was, what? 18 years ago? You know, our life B. C. ‘Before Children.’

"What