I’m booking to take a week off mid-to-late February for vacation. This is something many of you do several times a year, and it’s no big deal. For me, however, it’s a momentous occasion, because the last time I successfully managed to both book, and take, a week-long vacation from work was
October 2006.
I had booked a week off for October 2008, but as I was laid off in August of that year I don’t count it as vacation. 11 months of unemployment isn’t vacation, it’s personal hell where you get enough sleep but can’t plop down a few grand to fly somewhere because you need food and shelter more.
The time before that where I had booked a week off work was November 2007. But I don’t call that a vacation either, because my employer called me back in on the Tuesday. I quit later that week, but started the next job a week after that, so there was no time to go anywhere. I did take a long weekend in Portland with some friends that month, but I wouldn’t call 3 days a vacation.
I went to New York in October 2006. It was incredible, and I’ve been trying to survive on the memories of that trip for the last 3-plus years now, because there’s been nothing else.
The vacation trip before that: July 2000. As you can see, I’m out of practice.
And because I’m out of practice, I don’t know where to go.
This may seem like a white whine to you, but it’s actually worrying me. I’ve seen Facebook updates of so many friends going away on trips all the time, like it’s normal, and I’ve felt so incredibly saddened about my life and how I’ve been denied these opportunities because of work or money. Everyone needs breaks, but I’ve spent a good portion of my career in constant burnout mode, where I was told I couldn’t go on vacation because nobody else knew how to do my job. I missed out on a few weddings, too, because of that excuse.
I’ve dreamed of going to all sorts of places, taking pictures, and bringing back memories and stories that will last me for years. But I don’t know what to do, now that I’ve been given a chance!
I was saying a few weeks ago that I would go to Walt Disney World, as I’m lucky enough to have free passes and a discount on the hotels. It’s a bit too late to try to wrangle a friend to come with me, though, so do I want to go to Orlando all by myself?
I suppose I could try to get some all-inclusive package thingy to Mexico or Hawaii or somewhere. I haven’t been to either of those places, and hope to go someday. Again, though, alone? Perhaps I should book myself into one of those singles resorts and get myself a tropical venereal disease as a souvenir.
Since you’re not me, I’m guessing you’ve actually managed to have fun and go places in your life, and might have some advice as to what I should do. I’m really lost. Yes, I know, nobody’s died, vacation’s supposed to be a good thing, what am I complaining about… Maybe I’m worried that, like my other plans, these will fall through for some reason or another, and I’ll spend another few years just working all the time and banking up vacation pay for when I get laid off.
Hey GG. If I am lucky enough to be working by then and can take a holiday, i will gladly accompany you to WDW!!
Hmm…I’d recommend somewhere in Europe, but just one week is a little short given the travelling distance and the time zone messing up your body clock. Probably best to stick somewhere in North America and concentrate on doing a few places in depth rather than trying to do too much. Maybe NYC again or Washington, D.C.?
I was going to save Europe for later in the year (hopefully) and thought that February isn’t a good time to go anywhere that’s not warm. I might be desperate for warmth after suffering Kelowna a few more months.
Somewhere new is also important. I’ve never been to WDW, Hawaii or Mexico.
Hawaii. If you can swing it, get a nice hotel (or whatever) at a nice beach and just flake out. Get in the surf, maybe see a sea turtle. Perhaps take a tour of some sort, or don’t. Honolulu is very urban (which I liked), but there are lots of less bustly options on Maui, the Big Island, or elsewhere. I think you should focus more on relaxing and getting warm than on Having Big Fun Somewhere.
Travelling alone is awesome, btw. I’ve done both the solo travel and the “travel with other people and ditch them” method (er, when travelling with my parents — spend some time with them, then spend some time off doing my own thing), and I’ve loved them both. Thoroughly recommended.
+1 for remaining in North or Central America. How about Costa Rica? Great tourism infrastructure, awesome beaches, nature and mountains, all within a relatively short distance of one another. You could do a few days of trekking around the highlands and a few days lying on the beach. Give the capitol city a miss, though–it’s forgettable.
If you’re concerned about traveling alone, maybe you ought to seek out a small tour of like-minded people (meaning, you know, not middle-aged yuppies or septuagenarians)? Traveling with eight or ten other people is a lot more palatable than traveling with 50.
Have you thought of clubmed, lots of people go to those in Hawaii & Mexico? Trafalgar tours has packages for London or Paris, where you design your own week (and you’re not stuck with pre-set activities). I also recommend finding a friend or a former colleague who lives at or near your planned destination that you can meet up with them for at least part of your vacation. I’ve done that both in Europe & down under, and they were the best trips I ever had (plus you get invited to home-cooked meals, and get good itinerary suggestions).
I’ve heard good things about Windjammers cruises
I did Amsterdam in February…that was pretty good.
Actually Gill, we haven’t had a holiday (a proper holiday) since 2004 due to lots of complications, i am hoping this year or next year to rectify that permanently and have two holidays annually ad infinitum…
Happy xmas and have a great new year…. !
If it was Disneyland Paris, I’d totally go with you, I don’t think it’s so far away from here! And if you go visit elsewhere in Europe, I would happily be a travel buddy for part of it!!
@brenda I’m hoping to hit up England later this year (August-September, maybe) and if I’m thinking of going to the Disney park in France I’ll let you know. I can bring people in for free there too.
@mark You know exactly how I feel, then. I wish you much vacation luck!
I’ve now got a family friend travel agent helping me out, so hopefully I’ll have some plans set this week or next.
If I wasn’t going to be so freaking busy in February, I’d totally go with you to WDW and giggle my silly head off! I LOVE rides and Markus hates them, so I never get to go on any anymore.
I, too, would say stick to North / Central America. Hope you get your plans all worked out soon!
I’m sooooo excited for you, Gill…you NEED vacations!!!!
I’ll let you know the next time I go walking in Spain…
WDW, definitely, especially if you’ve never been. I try to get down there every couple years – it’s truly like no other place on earth. Unfortunately February may be a little cold for the water parks, which are usually a high point of the trip.
Surely someone among all your readers has the free time & disposable income to accompany you – you should hold an essay contest & pick one. Or several! “Why You Should Go To Orlando With Me”, 1000 words or less. I suppose that could get kinda weird – but I’ll bet it wouldn’t. Stranger things’ve happened…check out these two, just ran across them today: http://tinyurl.com/y8wstj5.