Happy New Year!
Wishing you many wonderful adventures this year.
Do you have any travel goals for 2020?
Family reunions? Exotic vacations? Business travel or mini getaways?
Will you be traveling somewhere new or to a favorite destination?
Whatever you decide, may your journey(s) be filled with excitement, new experiences, relaxation and discovery.
You’ve decided you need a vacation. You want to go somewhere “exotic” or “tropical”. Somewhere that requires a few hours on a plane and some brightly coloured clothes. The music is hypnotic, the heat is all-consuming and the food is different.
Things may not be what you’re used to. For example, things move at a different pace. Electricity and water can be a bit sketchy at times. But the alcohol is flowing and the hospitality almost flawless.
Your destination may be a third world country where tourism is a vital industry. Where the economy will never be as healthy as where you’re from…
But with every minute that passes, you find more flaws with the way things are done. You begin to insult the locals, sometimes to their face; assuming they are not intelligent enough to recognize the slight. You and your traveling companions make derogatory remarks and laugh out loud. You either don’t see or care to see the pride in their stature or resentment in their eyes at your rude behavior. You may never hear a comeback because their jobs are vital to their families’ well-being, more than you can even imagine, and they cannot afford to lose this job. You don’t see them at 4AM, 5AM or 6AM as they arrive at work to ensure your stay is everything the brochure said it would be. Smiling as you throw money around to get special service above everyone else.
They may smile when you’re there, but so glad when you leave. Only to encounter another one like you as they arrive to take your place.
I write this, because I’m seeing this right now and have seen it so many times. The people that live in these countries have feelings, have families, have to work to make ends meet like most of us do. Nothing is perfect. We certainly aren’t. Do your research and try to be as prepared as possible. But don’t be that person.
What do you find to be the most frustrating thing about traveling, whether for business or personal reasons?
Are you someone that is well organized and prepares without stress, well ahead of time?
Me? Not so much.
Do you travel well? Are you a happy traveler or someone that is miserable throughout the whole process until you reach your destination?
Me? No comment.
Are you someone that always feels that the vacation was too short?
Me? Yup!
What kind of traveler are you?
Do you require all the luxuries that are available? Or are you comfortable with a ‘no frills’ package?
Do you cringe at the thought of sitting among the masses in economy class or do you celebrate the knowledge of saving your pennies to spend when you reach your destination?
Do you settle for nothing less than 5 star hotels or do you believe that a hotel room is just for sleeping and only care about clean sheets?
Will you dine at upscale restaurants or experiment with exotic street food?
Whatever you prefer…be sure to have fun, be prepared and open yourself to new adventures.
If your job required you to travel to exotic places…would you consider it a mini getaway?
Would you feel comfortable traveling with the people you currently work with?
What would be your ideal business travel destination?
What keeps you motivated on days when you want to stop hustling, grinding, driving and just sit on the couch and zone out?
Is there a place you like to go when you need some inspiration? As the weather gets nicer, we’re more prone to get outside and do things. If you’re not getting on a plane or a train or taking a road trip just yet, what kind of things can you do to get those motivational juices flowing?
This feels like the longest winter EVER!
I just want to close myself off from the world in my warm cozy house and live in an oversized sweater and fuzzy socks.
But no…
The best thing to do to get rid of the winter blues is get out there and soak up some vitamin D.
How about a snowball fight?
“Do you wanna build a snowman?” (Yes, I went there)
Tubing, tobogganing, skating, skiing or snowboarding?
Whew! Now a cup of hot cocoa to reward all that effort.
Take that Winter!
Here we are already at the end of the 2nd week of the year…
How has your new year been so far?
Have you descended into that winter depression?
Are you still shell-shocked from all of those holiday celebrations?
Are you a resolution maker or breaker?
Have you set a plan for yourself for 2019?
Are there any travel plans in your very near future?
Be sure to repair any ‘damage’ your gift shopping may have inflicted on your credit cards…if you haven’t already.
Then start planning…start saving…and take that vacation.
Happy New Year to all of you!
Where will you go this year? What things will you do?
How will you change your daily routine in order to make time for yourself and your loved ones?
Whether you travel to another city, country or continent…or simply to the coffee shop down the street…be sure to make time for the more important things this year. Find many moments of solitude, meditation and relaxation. Don’t allow the everyday routines of life rob you of your opportunities to getaway.
Last minute shopping…
Wondering if you’ve covered everything…
Sweating over every detail…
It’s ok to take a quick getaway…even if that means locking yourself in your bedroom for a few minutes.
Maybe go for a walk or do some deep breathing and meditation
Just don’t become bogged down in so much detail that you forget to enjoy the season.
Happy Holidays Everyone!
Every Day Vacation 