You are currently browsing the tag archive for the 'vacation' tag.
I may be over-thinking this whole idea of a vacation but I’ve become curious about something… how do people decide on where they vacation? What drives this decision most of the time?
I would certainly be one to travel for pure curiosity… being the curious sort and all. I have traveled to Paris out of an inherited (from my mom) love of France, I’ve ventured to Scotland due to a simple invitation by a friend, I’ve traveled to Jackson Hole to see family, Seattle because I won a contest, etc., etc. I suppose we choose locations for all different reasons, which, in itself, is quite enjoyable ~ I do love a good story. And this is usually the part of the travel story that gets left out.
Lately I have been wanting to travel to locations to feel in that location. I’m currently quite drawn to Italy ~ Lake Como, Florence, and Tuscany~ and London. I want to feel the earthy, sensual richness that I love about Italy and I want to explore the pointy-tipped proper city of London with that historic British sensibility that is all its own.
I want to vacation. I am in need of vacation. I have taken one vacation day from work in the past year… one. I’m ridiculously overdue. Apparently the word “travel” is derived from the french term travailler ~ to work hard ~ and that term is related to the latin word trepalium ~ a torturing device.
Awesome. No wonder people feel they need a vacation from their vacation.
So, I will continue to torture myself by dreaming of my next set of travels while I work hard.
Travel story TBD…
Thanks LB for “introducing” me to the delicious art of Tadahiro Uesugi.
Received a note that the folks at “Schmap!!” have selected one of my photos of the empire state building to include in their “beyond the map” travel guides (7th edition). Fun! I feel so official.
And here’s the actual photo. Nothing brilliant but it’s making me recall, with great fondness, what the sky looks like. Ah, Sunshine. *Sigh*
I’m going to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by telling you a story about Scotland. Odd, yes. But it involves Irish Boys so stick with me…
When my friend Dara and I were traveling in Scotland, we consumed quite a lot of beer. We divided our missions to conquer– she was in charge of choosing the music/comedy shows (the Fringe Festival was going on in Edinburgh at the time) and I was in charge of beer and coffee. It’s safe to say that when I set out to conquer something, I conquer it, as does Dara, so we were decently caffeinated, properly buzzed, and very well entertained. (This was day one, hour one of our trip. Cheers!)
So if I remember correctly (keep in mind the abundance of beer…) the second night of our stay in Edinburgh we were sort of swooped up by a group of adorable Irish Boys having “Probably the Best Stag Party in the World.” (bachelor party).
They even had the shirts to prove it.
So when they pulled out the stops to get us to go drinking with them, we said we’d join for a few beers (ha ha) if they busted out with some Irish Dance for us. So they did. (Irish Step Dancing on the sidewalk. Delightful.)
So we joined them for drinks, dancing (and yes, I was tossed in the air more times than Dara or I could count… why do Irish and Scottish men seem to enjoy tossing me up in the air so much??), and laughs. A lot of laughs. They were quite crazy.
(No, I’m not posting pictures of this.)
So, Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone– may you head out for laughs and beers with your friends (even friends you find while walking down the street).
A friend of mine LOVES the game Never have I ever. For those who have never played, it’s generally a game played at a bar: The first person says “Never have I ever… taken off all my clothes and frolicked in a public fountain.” And then if anyone has actually done this, they drink. Then the next person says “Never have I ever…” Well, you get the idea. I guess the conclusion is that the more “adventurous” one is, consequently the more drunk one will get. (which makes sense… “drunk” and “adventure” can be rather synonymous.)
So, I’ve decided that, because I spend most of my time working the good city girl job, on the weekends I will do something I’ve never done, go somewhere I’ve never been, try something I’ve never tried. Big or small. Complex or simple. And most likely completely sober (much to my friend’s chagrin).
In short, I’ve decided to challenge myself to a game of “Never have I ever.”
Two weekends ago was when I first started this, I had never been to Half Moon Bay so I got in my car and drove there. First off, how great is the name? Half Moon Bay. So sensual and delectable. Second, it’s a small town– even the thought was reprieve from city stress. And even though it was a foggy, drizzly day, I decided to go anyway. I was in the mood for a peaceful journey and the impending rain would most likely keep people in the comforts of the indoors.
So, true to style, I headed outdoors.
And it was lovely. Calm. Misty. Cool. And Perfect for my first entry of Never Have I Ever…
