A Different World, A Different Me
Mar 19th 2010
Madeline HunterMadeline Hunter & On Writing!
I was out of the country the first ten days of March. It wasn’t a vacation as such, but it wasn’t 9 to 5 work either. As often happens when I travel, I entered a different world. Not only geographically either.
Almost every habit I have got turned on its head during this period. I woke early and was in bed before midnight, instead of being a night owl. I got exercise, instead of being my normal sedantary self. I drank less coffee and ate less food.
I rarely watched television because it was in a foreign language most of those days. I was offline for days at a time too. The hotels had free wireless, and I had my little notebook, but they rarely were working at the same time. It is amazing how much time you have if you don’t go online!
This upending of my normal patterns and routines is commonplace when I travel, but it is always more extreme when I travel internationally. And I enjoy the
change enormously. The days are longer when you get up early and don’t spend hours on the computer. I am more aware of my surroundings in a new place, and that seems to slow down time too. It is odd that days of engaging more fully with the world can have the same effect as a retreat from it—- relaxing, and very refreshing.
Sometimes during a trip I will tell myself that when I get home I will not return to this habit or that. I have lived without it, after all. I have proof that I can. But the change seems to go hand in hand with the location, and doesn’t feel as natural when I get back. When I return to my normal world, I return to my normal me as well.
Do you prefer vacations where you can keep your normal schedule, like rising early or sleeping late, or do you live differently during those breaks away from work and home like I do?
Have you developed separate habits just for travel? For example, do you worry about your clothes and appearance more? (or less?) Or eat good breakfasts when at home you skip it?
When you go to a new place, do you take it easy and savor a few new experiences, or try to cram in as much as possible?
Are you planning or hoping to go to any other worlds this year? (Even visiting relatives counts.)
33 Comments »
33 Responses to “A Different World, A Different Me”
Sue on 19 Mar 2010 at 5:38 am #
I don’t really change my schedule when I’m on vacation. Both my DH & I are early risers; although we might sit around a little more watching whatever is on TV. We always eat three good meals when on vacation. I think we both eat a lot more when away from home though.
The last ‘away from home’ vacation we took was a family trip with the kids and grandkids to DisneyWorld almost three years ago. We crammed so much into every day I’m surprised we can remember any of it! But was it ever a fun vacation! Fortunately DH & I were in a condo on a separate floor from the rest of the family, so we were able to get a little rest between trips to Disney.
As far as vacation this year, right now our only plans are to go to Kentucky (we live near Indianapolis) to a family wedding. That will be an over nighter, but I am really looking forward to seeing my sisters, brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews and all their kids, too.
cail on 19 Mar 2010 at 5:38 am #
I get up much earlier on vacation, that’s for sure. Usually, we’re camping, so we get up with the light, and go to bed shortly after. Its a longer day in Northern climates in the summer, that’s for sure!
When I visit relatives I tend to sleep more in general. I go to bed early, since there is often little to do at night, and wake up much later than I would normally. It’s quite lovely.
I’m hoping to go away with my DH this spring/summer and my mother in August. Neither location has been determined, but we need to start saving up for the trip. I’m trying to convince my friend in DC to join me on a road trip to Nashville for the conference. We have a friend from HS who lives there, and I bet we could convince her to go to the signing. My DC friend had a blast at the signing and goddess party, even if she is just a casual romance reader.
Amanda on 19 Mar 2010 at 6:10 am #
Vacations always mess up my daily routine. I find myself sleeping to a different schedule, eating different foods, etc. I tend to drink MORE coffee, since I don’t have to get up early.
No vacations for me this year…but hopefully next summer I’ll be able to go to Nags Head, NC again.
LoriHandeland on 19 Mar 2010 at 6:24 am #
I usually keep my sleeping schedule on vacation because I’m just not capable of staying up late anymore and I always wake up early. But my eating and exercising schedule I give up on.
The only time I deal with my appearance differently–clothes and make up and hair–is my trip to RWA. I am a completely different person there. At home it’s scrubs and bare-feet and braids and no make up. At RWA, not so much.
I always try and cram in as much as I can when I travel. I don’t want to miss anything I’ll regret missing later.
The only travel I have planned this year are conferences–RWA in Nashville and Ninc in Florida–and taking youngest son to college, wherever that ends up being.
Chloe Harris (Noelle) on 19 Mar 2010 at 6:48 am #
At home I am, for the most part, in my normal ADD assisted disarray and my DH, bless his heart, is the organized person that keeps our household running smoothly all week long. He gets everyone up the mornings, makes the lunches, makes sure we all hold up our end of the housework etc.
But send us on vacation and I become super uber organized travel lady. All packing is done from a list and I’ll have a bag with folders and print outs of everything we would possible need to know about every possible destination along with all the reservation confirmations. If it’s a driving trip, I’ll have every possible stop included shopping, restaurants, attractions etc pre-programmed into the Garmin too.
But ask me to do a 1/4 of that at home and I fall apart. I think it’s my fear of travel and anything going wrong that has me prepare like mad for almost any eventuality
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Mar 2010 at 7:05 am #
Chloe, I’m like you. I’m very ADD and my hubby is the one who gets my son up every morning and makes sure the trains run on time, so to speak. He’s still like that on vacation, but I’m the one who does the mapquesting ahead (we don’t have a Garmin) and I’m the one who does all the navigating (on vacation or not). I’m good at that. I’m just not good at managing my daily life. *G*
I confess, Madeline, I don’t change my habits much when I travel. I always eat breakfast, and I still tend to stay up late. But I can’t when I travel with my family because my son gets the outer room (we always stay in an Embassy Suites, since my son needs a separate room because he sleeps with a video going all night long) and my hubby and I get the bedroom. Since they’re both early to bed, they can’t relax as long as I’m up with the lights on, etc. So it’s either bother my son or bother my husband. I end up going to bed earlier than usual. Fortunately, they’re usually going to bed a LITTLE later, so I go about an hour earlier than my earliest time and they go about an hour later than their latest time and it works out. Especially since they’re both up at the crack of dawn, and then THEY bother ME!
Sabrina Jeffries on 19 Mar 2010 at 7:07 am #
I actually tend to eat MORE on vacation, which is a problem. I want to eat desserts and fattening foods because I’m on vacation. We’re taking a family trip to New York soon, and I’m going to try really hard not to do that. *G*
SuzyQ on 19 Mar 2010 at 7:12 am #
When on vacation I tend to sleep in later. Every year we go to the shore for a week and nothing is planned during the day, we just take it day by day. Most times we wait to see what the weather is like before deciding what to do. Now this year, we are planning on going to Disney for the week so I’m sure we will try to cram everything in to see as much as possible. I’m probably going to need a vacation from my vacation this time!
Sherri Erwin on 19 Mar 2010 at 7:32 am #
Everything changes when I travel, depending on the travel. It’s great to branch out and live differently. I was just in Philadelphia for the first time and I had big plans, but it rained heavily with lots of wind so a lot of those plans changed. C’est la vie! I saw things I didn’t expect to see (the art museum) and some things I wanted to see I’ll have to go back and see next time.
Lori, yes, I think we all become slightly different people at RWA. We should have a day that we all have to wear what we normally write in– now that could be interesting.
Madeline Hunter on 19 Mar 2010 at 7:40 am #
Sue, I remember my one trip to Disney World with family. It was really hectic but you are right, it was a lot of fun! We bought a book that had mapped out how to hit the various rides, in which order so you had the fewest and shortest waits in line, and to my amazement it worked. But it was one of those vacations you need a vacation from.
Cail, I have never done a camping vacation. I have friends who swear by them, though. I was at a signing the other night and the bookstore lady described how she had visited almost every state in the country but had never been on a plane because her family camped when she was younger. I thought it was cool how she had really seen those states as they traveled through them. And I hope you get to Nashville to see us there!
Amanda, I’ve never been to Nags Head. What is it like? (I guess I drink less coffee because my rear end is not glued to the seat in front of the ‘puter when I travel. It is all relative. I drink a LOT of coffee most days while I write.)
Freshechelle on 19 Mar 2010 at 7:42 am #
Vacation Me is a persona I always want to bring back home with me – the person who is freer, eats healthier, is always out doing stuff, meeting new people, appreciating her surroundings. I bring a little more of those qualities back each time but never realize when I’ve slipped back in to my old “burnt out and in a rut’ ways. I’m in burnt out mode now.
Madeline Hunter on 19 Mar 2010 at 7:47 am #
Lori–Oh, RWA requires special weirdness from me in terms of dress/make up too, so that is its own special category. As for the other kind of travel, I cram too. Up and about, guys, we only have three days, don’t want to waste them, march, march, march. I once went to Asia with my three sisters and I was annoyed by how much down time they wanted. Hey, you think you will ever get back to Hong Kong? Let’s get moving!
In other words, I’m a pain. I think my DH likes cruises because down time is built in and I can’t get all stressed about missing something on some days. Ya think?
Chloe–I’m uber organized too, when it comes to longish trips. I had forgotten how that was also different, LOL. Actually, I’m even uber organized before them, like you. Lists, which I am on record as hating. You should have seen my lists before leaving this time. Who was that woman?
Madeline Hunter on 19 Mar 2010 at 7:55 am #
Sabrina, I think that is the one thing about vacations that I don’t like—how other people’s schedules impose on mine. (Yet I’m there more than willing to impose on theirs, of course, with all those marching orders.) I have never been a good travel companion, I fear, altho DH doesn’t seem to mind. I have done a lot of my traveling in my life alone, and that is very different than the family kind.
By the way, one of the things I don’t like about traveling, whether vacation or otherwise, is deciding where to eat dinner. I don’t know why. Just when I get to evening, I’m not in the mood to plan one more thing. I want someone to take me by the hand, sit me down, and feed me.
SuzyQ—trips to the shore are meant to be lazy and relaxed. I have been a few times, and the whole environment makes the uber control freak in me switch off. Very nice. Although I can never sleep in at the shore. Maybe because I sleep deeply, and don’t need to? I love the sea breezes at night coming in the window.
Madeline Hunter on 19 Mar 2010 at 8:00 am #
Sheri, I love your idea about RWA! Come as yourself day! No cameras allowed. (Why do I think some writers would cheat? I only would a little
Lisa H on 19 Mar 2010 at 8:04 am #
I am a “cram in everything” kind of person. My husband is tiring of this, however, and is wanting a relaxing vacation on a beach somewhere. That is fine with me as long as there is shopping, wifi and books for me. If I am just laying around relaxing, I always feel like I am wasting time.
I have a girlfriend who loves to vacation at mach ten just like me. We travel well together and always have a blast.
Madeline, I am almost finished with “Ravishing in Red” What wonderful stories you tell!
Claudia Dain on 19 Mar 2010 at 8:13 am #
Funny you should mention breakfasts…while we were in England last year, we got into the habit of eating a “full English breakfast” every morning, making that our main meal of the day. Eggs, bacon, toast, oatmeal, juice, etc…well, we lost weight and were never hungry. So we’ve continued eating a big breakfast every morning since! And we love it. We think of it as the English souvenir that keeps on giving.
Julia London on 19 Mar 2010 at 8:16 am #
I used to be in Europe pretty frequently, but I haven’t been in a couple of years due to work schedules and life events. I find all the same things you do, Madeline — the days are longer with more in them, and life is blissful without a constant barrage from the TV and internet. However…I have a limit of how long I can go without hearing English. At some point, I begin to feel a little too isolated.
When I travel, I live like I am made of money and there is tons more buried in the backyard. I probably dress better than I do around the house.
When I come home, the one thing I dread is being hit by the heat and humidity when I fly into Austin. I usually end up some place much cooler for travel. But I can’t wait to sleep in my own bed.
Pesky on 19 Mar 2010 at 8:38 am #
This year is a bust in international travel. Too much going on at work.
Next year I want to do Vienna in the spring or Backpack in Scotland and Wales with a few days in London.
I like to grab a map whereever I am and go all touristy. When visiting family in ireland I’ll see if I can get any local brochures, then I throw the aunts/uncles/cousins in the car and go. They usually taunt me about going all touristy, but I point out, “I am a tourist.”. I got into this habit when I was a road warrior for 15 years. I am NOT however the “If it’s Tuesday it must be Rome” planned trip person. I like the quirky stuff. Oh! If you’re ever in Tralei in Ireland, you gotta get on the history of Ireland ride…:D. Plant tounge firmly in cheek…maybe have a couple of pints before…
I also do the tourist thing locally. I love going into the newspaper and picking a place to visit. We did the Herkimer Diamond Minds last year. Little cabins, lots of fun.
SheridanLA on 19 Mar 2010 at 8:49 am #
I try to leave the country every year. This year, I think I am headed back to Berlin to visit friends and pop over to Prague to see that beautiful city again.
When I travel, I walk and walk and walk and walk. I wander aimlessly and really look around. I can’t wait to leave wherever I am staying just so I can soak in as much as I can – this is not saying I have a huge agenda, I just wander with a few things that would be interesting to see in mind. I eat local foods, try to find the stories.. it is awesome.
I do that a little at home, but rarely take the time to be a tourist in my own city. I am still an early riser, though often stay up later when I travel. I don’t usually buy all new clothes for my trip, unless going somewhere that requires it (I never understood buying things like “cruise clothes”… why would I wear things there that I would not wear at home in a million years??)
The schedule disruption is good, I think.. makes you really realize some habits you might have fallen into that are not the best.
Kathleen on 19 Mar 2010 at 9:44 am #
I find that I am on a different schedule when travling or on vacation. And depending where I am, like if I am in Florida visiting my aunt, we are both early birds and like to have a walk in the morning. Ant then get ready to hit the mall or some other activity for the afternoon.. I cannot sit in the sun so we usually hit the pool in the late afternoon and then have supper.. So every thing seems to be done on an early schedule.. At home, I am up a bit later and have breakfast and on my computer. THen in the afternoon I go for my walk and then home to do something else.. But I like to shake things up a bit at home to. Especially on the days when I have to go into the city to visit my mom.. I don’t have access to a computer where I stay, so I start to get he shakes being away from my computer for two or three days…
But changes is good for all of us..Good for the soul.
Janae on 19 Mar 2010 at 10:16 am #
Since my kids are with us, I try to maintain their schedule most of the days. I’ve, also, found that vacation time is better if I plan the days since my dh over plans, doesn’t provide cushion time, and doesn’t plan age appropriate activities, which always equals meltdowns. I can’t tell our dd to calm down when she’s acting the way I want to be. I try to include a trip to the beach or a park, so our kids can run around for a bit, instead of dragging them to see a billion things. I just don’t think that there’s a need to see everything in one trip because we will be back.
I like to try new foods, but I have to be careful because too much fat will make me sick. I always end up losing weight on trips because of that fact.
As of now we have no vacation plans. My dh wants to go to Vegas to see Phantom of the Opera. However, I don’t think it’s age appropriate (we have a 10yo & 6yo), and I hate the desert. OTOH, I think a couple of weeks in Montana with 8 cousins, who are in the same age range, and grandparents, who let you act your age, would be alot more fun.
Amy on 19 Mar 2010 at 10:33 am #
We take our camping vacations to GET AWAY from our normal schedules & habits. And we love it. No city noise & crowding, NO EMAIL, and if we’re very lucky, no cell phone coverage. Instead of all that we’ll have long day hikes to help burn off the enormous dinner cooked over a campfire, & seeing stars that are normally completely washed out by city light pollution. We don’t much care about the wardrobe as we are usually covered in sunblock, insect repellent & red desert dust.
Hoping for all of that late in the summer when we head out to Grand Canyon north rim. Yes, we will try to cram as many “must see” areas as possible into the trip.
If you’re on the North Rim over the Labor Day holiday, drop by campsite #17 or#13 for a toasted marshmallow.
Welcome back Madeline & congratulations on another bestseller.
Nicole Jordan on 19 Mar 2010 at 11:10 am #
Welcome back, Madeline!
Sad to say but I have no vacation plans this year… only a business trip or two. But if I do ever get vacation time, I definitely splurge on food and doing exactly what I want when I want!
Madeline Hunter on 19 Mar 2010 at 11:11 am #
Freschelle, you describe what I am talking about perfectly.
Lisa H, thank you—I’m so glad you are enjoying RiR! And more and more, people are taking vacations with friends instead of family. GF vacations were unheard of for married women a generation ago, and now they are common–for a reason, I think.
Claudia, when those English breakfasts are well done they are fantastic. Some of the more recent buyers of the small hotels clearly wish they were not a tradition though. They are going to continental, and it is a mistake not to ask just what that means, because it often is pretty poor. DH makes big breakfasts on the weekend, and I will make a modified one during the week. I am convinced that eggs (not other protein, mind you, but eggs) help me write better. Don’t laugh!
Madeline Hunter on 19 Mar 2010 at 11:13 am #
Julie, there is a kind of homesickness that sets in after a while, even if it is great. I also find that I want to hear English after about 10 days, just so I am not a pod floating out there. And the first night back in my own bed is delicious.
Suzanne Enoch on 19 Mar 2010 at 12:26 pm #
I definitely eat differently when I travel. At home I usually have a bowl of cereal for breakfast, but when I’m away it’s eggs and croissants and muffins.
And yes, I get up earlier and go harder when I’m sightseeing. I feel like I have to cram in every experience possible before I go home again.
Madeline Hunter on 19 Mar 2010 at 12:47 pm #
Pesky, you approach sounds very adventurous. I think it is cool that you have done it locally too. I went to Vienna years ago and remember it as a beautiful city and very manageable. I’d love to spend time in Scotland too, but my backpacking days are long over (actually, they never happened!)
Sheridan, I think the schedule disruption is good too. And I walk much more when I travel than I do here. Of course “here” now includes incredible hills, and I usually visit places that are at least fairly flat.
Kathleen, you mention something that is a problem for me–sitting in the sun. I can’t do it either. I wonder why. I only find it pleasant for a short while. Perhaps it is because I am so pale– I dunno, but it has never been something I sought. Even the few times I visited a beach, I much prefer the overcast days. I love slightly blustery days at the beach.
Madeline Hunter on 19 Mar 2010 at 12:53 pm #
Janae, I think your Montana idea is fantastic. Would this be a relatives, or would everyone meet somewhere? Many years ago we took older son when he was 5 to Montana and stayed at a dude ranch. It was probably one of our best family vacations ever.
Amy, thanks for the congrats. I appreciate it. I am jealous of your plans to camp at the Grand Canyon. If I ever get there, it will probably be for an hour or so at most. It is on my list, though. (Oh, and if anyone has been reading my blogs for a while, I finally found out what a “bucket list” is. It is the list of things you want to do before you kick the bucket. I’ll bet everyone knew that except me, huh?)
Nicole, I agree with your way of thinking. If we don’t do what we want on vacation, when we want, why go?
Claudia Dain on 19 Mar 2010 at 2:37 pm #
Madeline, since I eat eggs every morning for breakfast, I will not laugh!
The incredible, edible egg.
Madeline Hunter on 19 Mar 2010 at 3:22 pm #
Suzie, you and I seem to have one more thing in common now.
Claudia, I was so glad when TPTB decided they were not so bad for you after all. Not that I had listened when they were carping about the colesterol content either, but now breakfast is guiltless (sort of).
E.R. on 19 Mar 2010 at 8:06 pm #
My parents wanted me to experience Easter week at our homeland, so I’ll be going there this year to experience it. Last time I went there in summer, my experience was not good. Bugs were at my calves and it was not an experience I wanted to repeat. There is also a possibility that I’ll be visiting a relative to CA for a cousin’s child’s first birthday. That one depends on the circumstance that I’ll be available or not.
During my last trip to my homeland, a neighbor brought us to Hong Kong. It was a three-day trip, so it was crammed with sight-seeing. Yes it was hectic, but it was nice to see a new place. If I ever have the time and money, I would go back and take it easy. But that’s not possible right now.
This time, I’m going to try to be active as in exercise. Since the beginning of this year, I had exercised every week and I want to continue the momentum. It will be hard because there might not be any time to do it and I might not be able to do the exercises that I usually do. I’ll also be restricted in time and space. Thus, I’ll make do.
I think I’ll be relaxing most of the time and just be a lazy girl. Of course, there will be sights to see and food to eat, but
E.R. on 19 Mar 2010 at 8:07 pm #
I’ll be trying to exercise control. Yes, controlling myself with all the authentic food right in my face. But I’ll persevere. I just got to.
Robin/RBL on 19 Mar 2010 at 9:14 pm #
When we travel, I’m usually up early to take DH to whatever golf course he is playing. Then I go back to the room usually, enjoy some quiet, read, relax and get ready for the day (possibly hit a local UBS!). By 11am or 12, he is done golf for the day, and we spend the day together doing whatever. Works out well that I get some quiet and he gets some golf!
As for eating on vacation, we kind of stay to our normal. My dh is very patient with me. He will eat any fast food but I search and search for places because I want sensible meals with VEGETABLES. People?!? Can I please get some steamed veggies?
We have a good thing when we travel cuz he wants to see everything and I want to see a few things, but spend lots of time seeing them, in detail (and I’m an amatuer photographer, so I go nutty with the camera). So, again, we compromise and it usually ends up okay. We don’t plan plan plan, but rather play it day by day, but we seem to have it down pat now. We usually each pick one or two things that we MUST do and then just fill the rest of the time in with other stuff.
And clothes? Comfort baby, comfort.