
So, we’re leaving on this big expedition to the Galapagos tomorrow, right? I’ve spent my day packing and cleaning and writing out luggage tags and running errands. I have to get up at 4 a.m. to start this journey, but I have so much to do to finish getting ready that I am already acknowledging that tomorrow is going to be a triple shot latte followed by two Cokes kind of day. Still, I am excited. I love travel. Love it. Once we get to the airport, I will be in my happy place.
Anyway, yesterday I was at a party for a friend and someone asked me if I was excited about our upcoming vacation. Clearly this particular friend hasn’t known me for very long.
“It’s a trip,” I corrected him.
He stared at me blankly.
“Oh. Steve said you guys were going on a family vacation,” he said, puzzled by my distinction.
“Oh. It’s a family vacation for Steve. For me, it’s a family trip.”
He furrowed his eyebrows.
“You see, my kids are coming with me. Since my career is as a full-time, stay-at-home parent, any traveling I do with my children is not technically a vacation for me. According to the dictionary definition, a vacation is a freedom or release from work. If my work is there, it’s a trip. You know, just like if you traveled for your job it would be a trip and not a vacation,” I explained.
“But, you’re going to the Galapagos Islands,” he said. “I think most people would call that a vacation.”
“I’m sure most people would. I would not. If you went to London for work, would you call it a vacation?” I asked.
“No.”
“If you went to London to see the Olympics, would you have to file for vacation time from work?”
“Of course,” he replied.
“See….that’s just it. I don’t file for vacation time because it’s not a vacation,” I continued. “It’s a trip. I’m bringing my work along.”
“But it’s the same thing,” he said.
“It’s not the same thing. For me, a vacation is when I’m away from my children. For you, a vacation is when you’re away from work,” I tried again.
“But, when you’re away from home doesn’t it feel like vacation?” he pressed.
“Not really because it’s actually easier to parent my kids at home than it is when we travel. When we travel there are all sorts of distractions and new issues. There’s no routine. Things are more chaotic, which sometimes makes work more difficult.”
At this point, I sensed his eyes starting to roll to the back of his head, so I dropped the subject and moved on. Clearly, he was not going to understand where I was coming from. I’m not entirely sure, in fact, that anyone but a fellow stay-at-home parent could understand my distinction between the two words at this point in my life. It’s an issue of semantics. I get that. Someday, when my boys are grown and I am without them more than with them, I’m sure my terminology will go back to the more standard and readily acceptable. Someday, when I vacation with my sons (and maybe even their families), the journeys will truly be vacations because I will have more freedom to enjoy myself and fewer responsibilities. For now, though, I’m sticking with calling this a “trip.” Don’t misunderstand me. It’s going to be an amazing, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime trip, but it’s still a trip…even if my work doesn’t fit into my laptop case.
Love this post! Thank you for sharing!!!
Thanks for letting me know you liked it. I appreciate it!
My mother was an English major in college. It was like visiting my past!
I agree 100%. Have a lovely TRIP to the islands. I know it’s going to be amazing even if you have new work challenges to contend with 🙂
Thanks, Edie!
Oh how I so agree with you on this! Have a fabulous time on your “work trip”. 🙂
I thought you might, Colleen. 🙂
Many yearts ago, while on VACATION, a problem arose at work that required my attention. Heading back to Colorado was not an option, so with fax machines to send me the data and people calling the house phone (no cell coverage; don’t even know if I had one back then), we worked through it in a few days.
Turned my VACATION into a TRIP.
I KNOW what you’re speaking of.
Have a great time. Looking for lots of pictures upon your return.
As a wordsmith (and English Major wannabe) I share your bulldog-like tenacity for correct word usage. Many eyes have been rolled my way.
Fun post. My motto is: Always on vacation. Then again, my kids are grown.
Hope you take the time to squeeze in some vacation time with your family while on your working trip for your job. Jobs can be fun, too!
Anyways, gotta go. You got lots to do and ain’t got time to read no emails. :}
Travel safely,
Paz
Agreed! Well said. A vacation with kids? Not really. Still to be enjoyed, but differently than if you were solo. I hope you had a great time!