The Travel & Vacation Conundrum
- Thread starter Gryffindorian
- Start date
I discovered that I was in a similar situation. I picked up the travel bug and I have been traveling at least a couple of times a year now. I have grown tired of not doing anything with my life, and so I have been seeking out new experiences and trying to push the boundaries of my comfort zone. One thing that I started to do was travel more. I barely got to go anywhere as a child, so I feel like I have a lot to catch up on.
I prefer traveling with at least one other person, and I have managed to find a travel buddy for at least some of my vacations/trips. However, I recently took a trip to the Caribbean alone. It was my first time there, and my first time vacationing alone. It was actually kinda nice. I wanted to escape reality, relax on a beach, read a book, and not think about the world. It's the kind of trip that really doesn't require anyone else to be there. However, I think that it is always a more memorable experience to have others there to share things with.
As for where to go? Honestly? Make a list. Where do you want to go? What do you want to see and do? Figure it out, think about your budget, and go from there.
Thanks. There are quite a number of places I'd like to visit, and my philosophy is that I need to get out more, experience new things, and meet people. What better way to do all those than to travel somewhere.
My biggest challenge right now, in addition to deciding where to go, is the concept of traveling by myself, which, come to think of it, I did before. While it was a relaxing weekend getaway (in Monterey, CA), it got a bit lonely and boring because I didn't really interact with people much. I enjoyed the experience more when I went there with family members.
So for all the times I visited Las Vegas, I was with at least one or two people. And Vegas is such a cool and exciting hub for singles and couples alike. I'm leaning towards Sin City again this September.
On the other hand, the dilemma I have with traveling with a relative is that I end up paying for their airfares and hotel accommodations (since they've got limited resources). I suppose it's a price I have to pay for company. Paying for myself is almost as expensive as double-occupancy rates.
From my perspective, there are times you could use the company and times you don't. For example, it would be nice to go on an all-inclusive trip to Cancun or Puerto Vallarta or go on a cruise with friends or family, one of which I plan on doing next year.
My biggest challenge right now, in addition to deciding where to go, is the concept of traveling by myself, which, come to think of it, I did before. While it was a relaxing weekend getaway (in Monterey, CA), it got a bit lonely and boring because I didn't really interact with people much. I enjoyed the experience more when I went there with family members.
So for all the times I visited Las Vegas, I was with at least one or two people. And Vegas is such a cool and exciting hub for singles and couples alike. I'm leaning towards Sin City again this September.
On the other hand, the dilemma I have with traveling with a relative is that I end up paying for their airfares and hotel accommodations (since they've got limited resources). I suppose it's a price I have to pay for company. Paying for myself is almost as expensive as double-occupancy rates.
From my perspective, there are times you could use the company and times you don't. For example, it would be nice to go on an all-inclusive trip to Cancun or Puerto Vallarta or go on a cruise with friends or family, one of which I plan on doing next year.
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UPDATE:
Arrggghhh!!!
I thought I had something planned for September during the week of Labor Day, but something else came up.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I've decided to cancel my vacation plans/trip to Vegas for now. I recently got a registration renewal from the DMV with the requirement to get a smog test certification (since I drive a 10-year-old VW Passat). Suffice it to say, I FAILED, or my car did because of a "check engine light" and something about the after-breaker radio being removed and their system not being able to read the error codes. It's bad enough that I had to spend $70 for the smog test; now I need to get a diagnostic done and have the shop figure out what the hell is going on and fix the problem.
You know, some days I swear that cosmic forces are at work to suck money and happiness out of me. Isn't this fun?!
Arrggghhh!!!
I thought I had something planned for September during the week of Labor Day, but something else came up.Due to unforeseen circumstances, I've decided to cancel my vacation plans/trip to Vegas for now. I recently got a registration renewal from the DMV with the requirement to get a smog test certification (since I drive a 10-year-old VW Passat). Suffice it to say, I FAILED, or my car did because of a "check engine light" and something about the after-breaker radio being removed and their system not being able to read the error codes. It's bad enough that I had to spend $70 for the smog test; now I need to get a diagnostic done and have the shop figure out what the hell is going on and fix the problem.
You know, some days I swear that cosmic forces are at work to suck money and happiness out of me. Isn't this fun?!
Come to New Zealand, we got a country-wide killer snow storm due on Sunday.
UPDATE:
Arrggghhh!!!
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I've decided to cancel my vacation plans/trip to Vegas for now. I recently got a registration renewal from the DMV with the requirement to get a smog test certification (since I drive a 10-year-old VW Passat). Suffice it to say, I FAILED, or my car did because of a "check engine light" and something about the after-breaker radio being removed and their system not being able to read the error codes. It's bad enough that I had to spend $70 for the smog test; now I need to get a diagnostic done and have the shop figure out what the hell is going on and fix the problem.
You know, some days I swear that cosmic forces are at work to suck money and happiness out of me. Isn't this fun?!
You're gonna let a $70 bill keep you from a vacation? Wow, what other excuses are you gonna make.
Just book the damned thing and stop whining.
UPDATE:
Arrggghhh!!!
Due to unforeseen circumstances, I've decided to cancel my vacation plans/trip to Vegas for now. I recently got a registration renewal from the DMV with the requirement to get a smog test certification (since I drive a 10-year-old VW Passat). Suffice it to say, I FAILED, or my car did because of a "check engine light" and something about the after-breaker radio being removed and their system not being able to read the error codes. It's bad enough that I had to spend $70 for the smog test; now I need to get a diagnostic done and have the shop figure out what the hell is going on and fix the problem.
You know, some days I swear that cosmic forces are at work to suck money and happiness out of me. Isn't this fun?!
You're gonna let a $70 bill keep you from a vacation? Wow, what other excuses are you gonna make.
Just book the damned thing and stop whining.
Reposted for emphasis and clarification:
Diagnostic ... $170
Cost of Repair ... Somewhere around $1,000
Misery ... Priceless
I travel alone a lot, but I'm a major introvert; I can have days on vacation where the only time I talk to someone is to order a meal in a restaurant.
Come on down here to Disneyland. I know people that still work there, you can get in for free.
So to speak.
So to speak.
^ Thanks for the offer. Since I took out a 401K loan not too long ago, I have quite a bit of money. But I do admit, I expect the maintenance cost to be quite a setback.
Since I took out a 401K loan not too long ago, I have quite a bit of money. But I do admit, I expect the maintenance cost to be quite a setback.
My offer still stands.
Both of them.
Both of them.
My offer still stands.
Both of them.
You're sweet.
I'll think about it when I go to Southern CA.
Just let me know and I'll see about getting you in for free.
Along these lines, if you are a AAA or Automobile Club of Southern California member, order a tourbook for the area you wish to visit and peruse it for sites to see. These are free to members.
