I had to give a consultation to a client yesterday for their freight-tracking system. Apparently, their main business was travel and tours and there were lots of brochures and posters of their rainy season discounted packages. We were there early so I decided to walk to the counter and look around their tours. One of the ladies decided to help out and be friendly.

“Yes sir, tour packages po?”

“Ok, what do you have on promo?” I have no idea if what I said made sense. Thankfully, she figured out what I meant.

“Madami po, eto sir…”, she put 3 photocopied brochures on the glass counter.

“Ok. Kailangan ko ata ng bakasyon eh...”, trying to sound as congenial as possible.

“Ah, sa <location> po, or sa <location>… or Palawan, may mountain hike, monkey trail walk and climbing...”

Sabi ko bakasyon, hindi pagod. I wanted to tell her but I figured maybe a lot of people do see climbing, walking, running, over-stretching muscles and sweating about as a good vacation activity.

Not for me it isn’t! If I say I want a vacation, I’m looking forward to playing in the sand, listening to mp3s while sipping some lemonade, relaxing on the poolside and do some people-watching and sleeping all day.

I’ve had officemates going out for a vacation to “relieve themselves from stress” but on the location, all they do is much more stressful stuff. They end up going to work after the weekend with huge eyebags, sore muscles and with only 2 hours sleep. They end up only in being underproductive.

Whatever happened to basking in the sunlight, getting full-body massages, eating lotsa steaks and salads, basically pigging out, getting great bazaar deals and having daytime sex? If my vacation composed of all those, I’m good to head for 3 months non-stop workload. Now that’s my kinda escapade.


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