Vacations are broken in the US. This is not news for me or probably you either. I found this interesting article titled “The no-vacation nation”.
Having worked with Europeans and my working time in Ireland showed me first hand how the attitude toward vacation time is different in Europe. I wish our attitude here was more like theirs.
But that’s about all I’m going to say about that (follow that link for more).
There is something else that is very common in vacation pictures missing from that “vacation” picture. That picture was taken in Chicago in front of The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. The common element found in vacation pictures and missing from that picture is WATER.
Jillsy Girl’s June challenge is “water”. Maybe she will accept this entry. The pictures are older than this month but these words and thoughts are fresh.
There certainly is some quality of water that draws people to it. Maybe because we need it to exist?
I’m not sure if that’s it because we need food and I have not planned any vacations focused on food. Do you agree that vacations and water just go together like peanut butter and jelly (I knew I could work food into this)?
Even if it is not a lake, river, or ocean beach, we often take pictures of water attractions.
Fortunately I have numerous vacation memories but one very special one was my last vacation trip with my Dad. I could go back to that lake cabin but he can’t. Well maybe his spirit could make a visit. He would do it too, because he got a thrill from scaring people.
That Canadian fishing trip was a blast. It was in the wilderness where the only way to the lake was by floatplane or canoe portage. We were dropped off by the plane.
My dad in boat on the water.
I plan to write more about that trip in the future. Stay tune.
24 comments:
I agree that vacations and water go together. And I also agree that our US vacation traditions are getting worse and worse! What a wonderful trip that must have been with your dad.
I wholeheartedly agree. I'm going on vacation soon and have already assured there will be water (in the form of the beach) involved.
Cheers,
Robyn
I think you're right about water. Many summer vacations evolve around it. I never really thought about it, til you pointed it out. And yes, Europeans take the prize on how to take a vacation. No "one week and jam everything in" so you're in need of a vacation when you get home.
Thanks for joining in!
thanks - love the beach if it's not too crowded.
It was a great trip but before digital cameras so I don't have as many pictures as I would like. thanks
3 months before my dad passed away we took the first family vacation in 20 years to the beach. My dad's favorite place to be.
I know you only do cartoons (at least I think that) but you should write a post about that. thanks for sharing
thanks for the challenge and not being too picky about the date of the pictures.
You point out yet another thing we have screwed up about vacations - not having relaxing ones.
I thought I just did.
comment vs. post - you don't have another blog without cartoons do you?
I believe bodies of water are healing. Oceans especially but lakes, mountain creeks and waterfalls will do. Not so much silly statue fountains.
Maybe fountains are not so much healing as relaxing to watch. Now that particular little boy fountain might be disturbing to a mom with boys. People enjoy watching water.
thanks
If I pulled a trailer and tried to back up and park it I am pretty sure that is how I would do it. I so agree with you about the European countries' attitude toward vacations. They do have the right idea. The people in America work so hard and look forward to a vacation, have to beg for it, are lucky to be allowed one week away, and when they get back to work their work has piled up to welcome them back. Not all cases are like that, but after seeing how it is in other countries I know it could be so much better if the working force were afforded the amenities and working atmosphere of those countries.
That's quite an interesting article. I'm hoping to hit the beach this September for a week.
September is a good time because you don't need to worry about crowds. thanks
Funny - At one time I was very good at backing up with a boat trailer. I don't think I would be too good now because it's been too long. Like most everything I suspect the vacation attitude will change - hopefully for the better. thanks
I hate it when I hear commendations about someone "being the job." Balance people. Work to live, not live to work.
I agree - much of the corporate babble is created to confusing people. Also, unfortunate one get so deep into the corporate bs that they drink the koolaid. Sad really. thanks
vacations broken.....interesting.
perhaps the mammoth expense
of waterness contributes to our
dried out recreating.
Nothing like water to soothe and settle.
Loved the dad memories....mine are watery as well.
-Jennifer
Thanks - expense is a problem but often it seems we don't bother to spend our time either. Not all getaways need to be expensive. Trips for the sake of bragging and keeping up with whoever are probably the most expensive ones. I'm not sure what I'm trying to say. Some people seem to show off their trips and I don't think that's the best use of vacation time.
thanks
I vacation like a European! I love it. I love to go out and see things, visit with people, hang out with my family, etc. When our family owned our coffeehouse in Lansing, we closed the shop for a week in August so we could all go on vacation together. So many people were mad at us for daring to vacation together. Some even stopped coming altogether because we closed for a week. It was worth it though - we went to Traverse City and stayed on the water :)
what is wrong with people that think you should stay open just for them???
And only a week - those people really should get a life.
thanks for sharing
That's an interesting observation (water and vacations thing) and a very good one. I guess we're all just thirsty for relaxation. And now you've gone and made me very thirsty....
now that's a great post title - thirsty for relaxation
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