Our family vacations were not for the relaxation or refreshment that most people think of when they plan a vacation. Our parents saw to it that we were up by 7:30 most mornings, seeing the local sights, traipsing through the museums and historical locations before there was beach time or pool fun. It was a regimented routine that I still find myself recreating on trips.
The first thing my Mom would do, much to our impatient chagrin, was unpack the luggage and put the clothes away in the chest and closet. While we were antsy, she methodically unpacked everything. We would whine and run around the room hoping to go anywhere or do anything other than such mundane housekeeping. These days, I rarely unload a thing from the luggage, aside from hanging some shirts of jackets to undo any wrinkling.
As for the early alarm, I realize now that she probably didn’t want to waste a moment, and I get that. I am the same way when it comes to seeing a new place for the first time. The best time of the day in many places is first thing in the morning. THat’s when the air is fresh, the light is good, and the crowds are still asleep.
For our upcoming family vacation, however, I’m going to do things a little differently. I’m not going to rush myself up in the morning. I’m not going to jam a few days of nonstop events into the itinerary. In fact, there will be no itinerary. I will make no plans. I will make no commitments. I will do as I feel, when I feel like doing it.
With a new job that has its own non-stop schedule, I want to refresh and replenish and relax. I don’t think I’ve ever truly done that before. Now is the time.
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