I enjoyed almost all of the trip, and would actually consider doing it again sometime, although not for at least two years. Not being a parent, I'd never spent that much time with four teens, and if the trip was an eye-opening experience for the girls, it was for me as well. I just could not get those girls to go to bed at night, and I couldn't get them to wake up in the morning. Next time, I'd schedule things a bit differently, and would set up my expectations of my students in a different way. The hardest part for me was that I became the parent figure for these young folks, and they got angry with me for being too strict. At one point I inadvertently overheard them saying some ugly things about me and calling me nasty names, and when I was alone I cried because I felt hurt. But Barb, a mother of teen girls and an angel on this trip, helped me see that they were merely fighting for their independence as all teens do. I couldn't let them cross streets on their own in a city where the traffic is fierce and goes in the opposite direction that we're used to, and I couldn't let them lose their money or their flutes. I was the responsible adult and the stakes were too high to do otherwise. I brought them back safe and healthy to their parents, and in fact, I believe the girls will remember only the good and exciting parts of the trip and the many things they learned about flutes, and music, and life.

Some of what the girls learned happened in the months before the flight to Europe ever took off. Besides their memorized masterclass pieces, the girls had studied new pieces for the Flutewise Day and had worked on the quartet music we performed, spending four extra Sunday afternoons rehearsing together. As for the trip itself, two of the girls had never been outside of North America. In spite of my extensive travel before I went to London with the girls, this was a learning experience for me, too. I love to travel, I love the flute, and I love my students, so traveling with my flute students was a natural outcome. Everyone embraced us with interest, kindness, and generosity. We were so pleased to be welcomed into people's homes and we received additional invitations for activities that we declined for lack of time.

If the girls learned, somewhere in their souls, that the hard work and time they spend each day practicing their instrument can be a ticket to a lifetime of rich experience and glorious adventure, then the trip was worthwhile. If the memories of this trip motivate them toward a stronger commitment to their flute, that is the best result for which I could wish. It's likely that they'll remember this trip all their lives. And if they enjoy using their bath and body products too, that's just fine with me.