Team MJ on Travel is about to embark on a pretty big vacation journey. There’s Paris, Barcelona, and a 12-night cruise. Overall, I will be away for almost 3 weeks. That’s 3 work weeks. That’s 3 work weeks that have been planned for nearly 18 months, but now that the time is here, the timing is not remarkably convenient. But that’s not going to stop me from embarking on our trip.
This isn’t my first time in Europe….it may be my 25th time in Europe…I’ve lost count, but admittedly, most of my prior trips have been for work, not play. What’s the big deal? There is no big deal for me, it’s the constant remarks from a select cadre of coworkers. “I just realized you’re going to be gone for 3 weeks!” “You’re going to be gone for 3 weeks….WOW!” “Who takes 3 weeks off?!” I’m quick to remind that: 1) it’s 2.9 weeks, technically speaking; 2) taking this much time off is not something I do very often; and 3) I will be available via email and mobile phone. But none of this is my point.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com
Why do Americans perceive time off so differently than the rest of the world? If I lived in most any other country, the response would be you’re only taking a 3 2.9 week vacation? Connected while I’m away or not, I’ll take some time to soak in Paris, a city I love, but have not visited in years, free of electronic interruption. Same for Barcelona, and of course the cruise.
Unlike my quick summer getaway in August, I plan to blog this trip. There’s Biz class to Paris on the upper deck of a 747 with miles, wandering Paris, Barcelona, and of course, 12 days of cruising. There’ll be plenty to share. It never was just about the miles for me…it’s about the journey. And this is a journey I am looking forward to.
-MJ, October 13, 2015
Also, don’t forget to mark the vacation, i mean holiday, in your calendar, i mean diary.
You’re going on holiday, not vacation. Think European.
As the USA generally has such limited vacation policies, along with the pressure of being always connected it comes as no surprise that your co-workers are making comments. On the plus side I also bet they are a bit jealous. Enjoy your trip and let go of being connected at least for a bit.
What ship? We did a 10 day on the Brilliance a few years ago and loved every minute. Bon voyage!
Congratulations on your vacation and travels.
Thanks John. Spent all my SkyMiles and got us on the upper deck of the 747 to CDG. đŸ™‚
Any co-worker of mine who made those kind of remarks to me would promptly be told to go get bent.
Have a wonderful trip! I just returned to work after 3.7 weeks in Europe — and I didn’t check work email until the day I returned (but I left instructions to call if they really needed me). It took a few days at first to really “disconnect” and then it was very liberating — I recommend it!
Americans are among the wealthiest in the world, but also have the least number of vacation days. Given these circumstances, it’s logical to go on a frantic whirlwind trip. Except that after 2 or 3 attempts, you realize that you’re more exhausted at the end of your “vacation” than you were at the beginning, and start travelling like the rest of the world.
Dibs on MJ’s steak dinner that he will miss in Chicago!!
@TexasYankee,
Steak!!!