On Vacations and Timing

For some reason, vacations always seem to fall when I most need them.  Regular followers of this blog may recall the hellish couple of months that led up to our sojourn to Italy – multiple family visits, my wife’s eye surgery, a bad car accident that totaled out our beloved Jetta Joan, the purchase of a new car, a cancellation notice from our auto insurance carrier, transitions at both of our jobs.  The lead up to our latest vacation, a long weekend in the Mayan Riviera, came once again as I was about to take a nose dive.

View From Our Ocean Front Room

It began with a hectic travel schedule for work.  Last week I flew to Orlando to roll out a new client, the week before I travelled to both Philadelphia and Baltimore to meet with multiple clients, the week before that one I was in Norfolk for a quick last minute trip.  And the travel doesn’t ease up with a trip to both Baltimore and Norfolk planned the day after we return from Mexico.  The next week I am in Atlanta for a national sales conference.  Then it’s Ohio for Thanksgiving.  For those of you that don’t travel for work, you might be thinking, “Poor baby!  All that travel…  how fun!”  But work travel is anything but fun.  It’s filled with rushing and stress.

Good Morning Sunshine – Why yes, I’ll wake up to this!

Then there was the news of my Grandfather’s passing.  The Orlando trip was cut short upon my arrival as my Mom called to share the sad news.  I immediately flew back to Charlotte on the next flight, packed, and then flew home to Youngstown the next day.  While the ceremonies were a beautiful celebration of his life, it is tough to bury a man I have known for 35 years.  When you grandfather hits the age of 93, you’re pretty convinced he will live forever.  We didn’t share the average grandfather / grandchild relationship, either.  We were friends.  I grew up two blocks from him.  Often, I could be found at his house raiding the kitchen when my mom was cooking something I didn’t like.  It’s a loss I won’t get over soon.  Then yesterday, my largest client (and my product team’s largest) served their 30 day notice leaving my job status in jeopardy when I return.  I’m the account owner so I will most likely take the fall.

Ocean Front Massage? Yes, Please!

For you wearied travels who might be judging our choice of vacation in what is essentially Cancun where more English is spoken than in Miami, I say that sometimes a break into nothingness is needed.  Not every trip needs to be a worldly cultural experience or an exploration outside of one’s comfort zone.  Sometimes we just need to relax and regroup, clear our minds with nothing but the ocean to look at – an escape into mindfulness.

A Book, A Beer, The Beach – Need I say more?

Our last trips involved so much planning, activity, and touring, that I am looking forward to being pampered at a faceless all inclusive resort where the only culture I will be experiencing is tequila and Dos Equis.  And with everything else going on in life right now, the timing couldn’t be better.  I am glad we had foresight this summer to plan a fall break.  As the book Rhinoceros Success states, “Twice a year rest in a mud bath.”  Here’s a toast of tequila and cerveza to the beach – my mud bath!