On a Cloud

What does the word vacation mean to you? I checked the dictionary and it defines it as a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation. I did a little research and found that the word comes from the Latin word vacātiō, which means freedom. It also originates from a word in French that means freedom from an activity or occupation. Given those definitions, I’m starting to think that I have not had a proper vacation in a very long time. 

If I were to look back over the last decade, I think I’ve only been on vacation once with my cousins a long time ago. They commented that I worked too hard and needed a break, so they took me on a week-long trip with them. I had a great time because it was, as the dictionary put it, time away from home and work. It was an entire week where I did not have to think about my responsibilities at home or the office. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a freedom that I enjoyed because I did not have to think of anything. My cousins had everything booked and planned. All I had to do was come along. 

There have been trips that I have been on these past years that most people would probably count as a vacation. But technically, they weren’t. Most of the times that I’ve traveled out of town, been on a plane, and all that has been for work. Yes, we got some time off on those trips to see the sights and relax, but they were not vacations. I think anyone who has been on a work trip would understand what I mean. I am grateful that my former job gave me those travel opportunities. But it was still a job that did not allow me enough time to take a real break away from the office. Most vacation leaves I had were spent at home, and that doesn’t count as a vacation to me. 

I have been on trips out of town with my family. The type where we get to stay in hotels and see the sights but those are not vacations. Not to me anyway. I had planned those family trips. That meant I was always busy taking care of everyone the entire time. As much as I loved spending time with family and being away from work, those trips did not feel like I was on a break for me. 

How would you define a proper vacation? I remember something that Seventeen’s Wonwoo said on the show Nana Tour when it comes to trips or vacations. He said he appreciates planned trips but that he also likes having freedom in the planning. I liked that. I think that it’s the same for me. I would love a vacation where we plan where to go with a list of places we want to see and do like everyone else. But I would also love to have the freedom to change things up if ever I feel like it. I don’t want to stress about whether we made it to certain places on time the way some travel tours go. I want to be able to say I want to go to these places and just go. If I like it, I will stay and linger a little longer, if not, I can leave right away and try something else. And if I see something that piques my interest that was not planned, I can change my itinerary and do that. Something planned with a lot of flexibility if it called for it. 

If I were on a trip with a group of people, I would love it if I could just go with the flow. I would love to not be the planner for a change. Or for everyone in the group to have a say in what we want to do during the day and go from there. We could decide to go together and do one thing or split up and do what each prefers. No pressure. 

It would be great to go on a vacation soon. A real one where I am free to do the things that I want without following a strict plan. One where I can enjoy each moment as much as I can. There’s a place I have in mind and I am looking forward to making that trip happen. It’s been a long time coming and I know I deserve it. I hope everyone else can have that well-deserved trip one day soon too. In this crazy world we live in, we all deserve a proper vacation!