Places

As is evident from my chubby little feet in the photo above, my husband and I have simple demands for our getaways. The probability of a post showing my feet nestled on a sandy beach with an azure ocean in the background is almost nil. Our requirements are twofold, quiet and no crowds. Throw in limited driving and no air travel and we are good to go.

Vacation destinations are often based on what a place has to offer. More importantly, one must also be aware of what a place does not offer. Here are a few does-not-haves that I believe contribute to a restful respite from the everyday routine.

1) Technology--Our favorite destination has no cell phone service, limited Wi-Fi and a small TV offering two channels. Conversations are uninterrupted by chirping phones. Decisions are few with just two channels to deal with. Time is spent on reading, meditating or just watching nature go by. Heaven, for sure.

2) Urban noise--The constant buzz of living in a city often goes unnoticed when one becomes numb to the clatter. Sitting on a peaceful country veranda located away from the commotion of a city is a tonic of peacefulness. Suddenly, the conversations of birds are crystal clear. The songs played by the wind in the tree tops are deciphered. The buzz of pollinators slipping in and out of summer flowers is distinctively detected. The silence gives rise to clearer thinking and deeper, more thoughtful breathing. Easier than yoga in my book. (Sorry, namaste friends.)

3)  Retail centers--I am a lousy shopper so this one is a no-brainer. I do not collect anything that needs dusting or maintenance so that eliminates souvenir acquisitions. Purchasing clothing is akin to a colonoscopy on the fun-o-meter for me so wardrobe offerings need not be perused. "Locally" made jams and jellies in diminutive jars with cute little gingham toppers unsuccessfully beg for a place in my refrigerator. Mugs sporting destination logos will mostly likely not improve the taste of my coffee and the t-shirts with cutesy catch phrases will have to adorn another tourist.

4) Amusement--There is a time and place for amusement opportunities such as water slides, ferris wheels and Epcot centers. Great fun for the young and the young at heart. That being said, there is also a time and place for quietude. Stimulative moments in today's world hurl away at us at abrasive speeds. "Down" time is viewed with skepticism and there is often a nagging fear of missing out on something if we are not always on the go. The popular mantra of FOMO (fear of missing out) exemplifies a comparative way to live. Never fear, you will be okay if you never rappel down the side of a castle wall or wend your way through the Amazon rain forest. I am the poster child for missing out on adventures and I am still able to function on a daily basis (no comment from my sibs, please).

Whether your summer vacation includes a trip to Distneyland or an afternoon at your local park, don't forget to make a little space for yourself. Breathe, watch the birds, sip on a cool drink, listen to the wind and let your thoughts settle.

And if you are really desperate for an adventure, do what I do. Go to the library and check out a few books. So far, my literary friends have provided me with near death ocean and river experiences, a nasty grizzly bear encounter and a whodunit murder mystery.  FOMO, be damned.