Vacation For Me
Every year, we convince ourselves that we deserve a vacation. We plan for it and live for it. We even put it in our calendars. But what’s interesting is that only about half of us actually take a vacation every year.
Vacation should be more than just a fun escape from the daily drudgery. It can expand your creativity, vocabulary and even make you a kinder person. After all, what’s more important than being happy?
I have never had a vacation in my life. In fact, I don’t even know what one is. Apparently, you gather your friends and family together to travel across the country, spend time on the beach, eat some delicious food, and enjoy being famous for about a month. But I can’t do any of these things because I’m too busy reading the news, thinking about stupid stuff and writing silly blogs about it. So instead of going on a vacation (or maybe instead), I figured I would share with you the books that helped me become educated and smart enough to be writing these articles.
Vacation For Me
I’m hitting the beach for a week, and it’s all for me (well, pretty much). I’ll flip through my photo album of memories, think about my regrets (none to be found), and confidently tell everyone I have no regrets. Then when I’m tempted to daydream about moments gone by, I’ll force myself to accept that. But — I’m not sure how you’re feeling on this 4th of July — but in case you’re feeling nostalgic like me here are a few of my favorite vacation memes!
Oh, the sweet sounds of summer. Crickets chirping, barbecues with friends and family, and that distinctive sound of a lawnmower’s motor whirring on hot asphalt. Yes — vacation time is here. But just like the lawnmower, vacationing can be hard work; especially when it comes to planning your stay.
There’s nothing worse than wasting your precious time off on a trip that falls miserably short of expectation. When hours of careful planning, giddy anticipation, and depleted savings end in frazzled nerves and deep disappointment.
This often happens because travelers simply fail to see what different types of vacations entail. Romanced by pictures on Instagram or friends’ Facebook feeds, it’s easy to make assumptions that may or may not be accurate.
In an effort to help, I’ve compiled ten of the most popular types of vacations and the pros and cons of each.
1. A TRIP ABROAD
Visiting other countries. My personal favorite kind of travel! This type of vacation can be viewed as either intriguing or completely terrifying.
Those who would love it are people who enjoy unfamiliar experiences, stepping outside their comfort zones, and learning something new. Those who would find this type of vacation an exercise in frustration are people who prefer the expected, staying closer to home, and aren’t crazy about gastro-experimentation.
Pros
- The ability to experience other cultures, history, and architecture
- Discovering new foods, traditions, and someone else’s “normal”
- Witnessing things you’ve only ever read about
Cons
- Often involves much longer flights
- You may discover some of the local food doesn’t agree with you (always fun)
- Requires some extra preparation like getting passports, power converters, and learning basic phrases in another language (and no, screaming at someone in English while playing a one-man game of charades isn’t the same as knowing their native tongue)
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL NECESSITIES
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Rick Steves Europe Through the Back Door: The Travel Skills Handbook
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2. A TRIP TO THE BEACH
Oftentimes, when you hear the word “vacation” you instantly think of a white sand beach. The waves lapping against the shore as the wind gently sways the neighboring palms.
Those who relish in this type of vacation are people looking to relax, unwind, and not have to think about anything but when to re-apply the sunscreen and what magazines to read while they lounge. Those who might hate this type of vacation (me) are travelers who get bored easily, prefer a destination with intellectual stimulation, and who have the attention span of that dog from the movie Up (squirrel!!!)
Pros
- Recharging the ol’ battery in a tropical paradise
- Great seafood and delicious drinks with little umbrellas
- A fabulous tan that’s the envy of all your friends upon your return
Cons
- While beautiful, there’s only so much you can do (so you’d better settle in)
- Bugs the size of a dinner plate, and humidity that wreaks havoc on your hair (unless you’re one of those fortunate few whose hair looks amazing no matter where you go… I am not this person)
- Sand in places you should never get sand, and which you’ll continue to find in your belongings for weeks
BEACH TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
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C.C Women’s Paper Weaved Crushable Beach Embroide…
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3. A CAMPING TRIP
Reconnecting with nature is a great way to spend some much deserved time off. And an obvious choice for spending time with Mother Nature is on a camping trip.
This type of vacation is ideal for those who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty, enjoy channeling their inner Paul Bunyan, and love the great outdoors. Those who might find themselves telling Mother Nature where she can stick it are people who prefer a hot shower, a comfy bed, and trips that don’t involve mosquito repellant.
Pros
- Getting back to basics surrounded by stunning natural beauty
- Sleeping under an infinite blanket of stars with the moon as your nightlight
- The opportunity to roast the perfect marshmallow sitting around a crackling fire (assuming there’s no fire ban, of course)
Cons
- Vacation in the lack of luxury (no shower, sleeping on the ground, and peeing in the bushes)
- Being kept up by the frigid temperatures and every little sound you’re convinced is a bear (or any other number of wild animals eager to eat you)
- Testing your patience with the loathsome task of setting up your tent (and the frustrating chore of fitting your sleeping bag back in its impossibly small sack)
