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Whatever I feel like on a given day. I hate itineraries. I like going on vacation with a general idea of what I can do, and then picking and choosing when I get there.
What are things you typically like to do?
That’s difficult to say, because it’s entirely dependent on the destination.
I like both urban and scenic exploration. I have trouble sitting around, unless my body needs the rest. So, I stray away from most “leisure” activities. Sitting on the beach for hours is not for me. If the destination has a high walkability factor, I will walk everywhere I physically can, and I will do it A LOT.
I barely take any pictures. I find that they detract from my being in the moment, and they never capture what I hope.
I do like thrifting for niche, often older electronics and peripherals.
I like food.
I like cigars, and love cigar bars, because the atmosphere and activity is excellent for meeting locals and travellers alike. That is one thing I will always scout out and do.
Thrifting is interesting. Have you found anything interesting?
I went to Osaka, Japan earlier this year. I returned with 2 large suitcases packed full of retro video game consoles and peripherals. Their LaserDisc stores were insane and floor to ceiling with stacks of discs. I so badly wanted to pick through them, but LaserDiscs are notoriously heavy, and I couldn’t spare the luggage weight.
A few years back I spent a year living on the road, all across the US. I brought back a huge haul that time, notable acquisitions being an Atari Jaguar and an NEC PC Engine.
One of the coolest things I saw in Osaka was a monthly flea market held on the grounds of Shitennoji Temple. It’s a pretty big temple so there were a lot of vendors. I spent the better part of the morning eating amazing food and browsing through old games and records, vintage clothes, and all sorts of other old stuff. I ended up getting some old woodworking tools, a couple of wooden serving platters, and a copy of Dragon Quest V.
What time of year was this, by chance? I’d definitely be interested in checking it out.
This was in the early summer, but I’m pretty sure it’s a year-round event.
Whatever I feel like on a given day. I hate itineraries. I like going on vacation with a general idea of what I can do, and then picking and choosing when I get there.
Not waking up early and not going to work is always a good start.
It’s a great middle and end too!
If I visit a city, I always try to ride their metro if they have it. I also try to at least find find a historical landmark to visit.
Respectfully, I’m assuming a “vacation” here is a US-ism for what we in the UK would call a “holiday” (i.e. a recreational trip somewhere), I’m not sure if there are nuanced differences. To see as much as possible of the local culture is generally my aim, that’s my main reason for travelling. I’m not saying that in a snooty “high culture” way at all, sometimes the most mundane cultural things can be the most interesting. Also to try the local cuisine. I like trains, so going to places I can explore by train are great - Interrailing around Europe have been some of my favourite trips. Also I did a great train trip around Japan pre-covid.
I think we (Americans) likely use “vacation” almost synonymous as you would “holiday”, with little-to-no nuances. We probably distinguish them from the term “holiday” because we culturally define “holidays” as various annual observances, religious or federal.
Don’t worry, you came off as snooty from the pure Britishosity.
What a lovely, humble thing to say, thank you.
Does “vacation” have a different meaning in the UK? Or is it just not used?
In the US “vacation” could refer to either a trip away from home for leisure, or just individually scheduled paid leave from work in general, even if you spend it at home in your PJs (aka a “staycation”). Not sure if “holiday” is used there for only the former, or also the latter.
The only reason I asked is that I wasn’t 100% sure what it means, I could have guessed. I got that it probably means the same thing, I just wasn’t sure if it would cover a city/train trip the same way I was thinking. I, personally, wouldn’t use vacation. If they mean the same thing I think probably the Americans have the etymologically better term, if anything.
Geocaching! It’s taken me so many palces I never would have known about otherwise
I am intrigued. What is this?
It’s an outdoor game like a scavenger hunt. Other people place geocaches (tupperwares or similar containers) somewhere out in nature and mark the spot on an online map. Anyone can find them and sign the log book inside, sometimes there are other items to trade as well. Free to play at geocaching.com.
I’ve done this lots while travelling in Europe and North America, it’s fantastic if you want to get away from typical tourist hotspots for a while. It’s helped me discover so many spots I never would’ve seen advertised anywhere
That looks awesome! Very similar to the game my friends and I used to play with gmaps a long while ago. We created a group, place private POIs shared with the group, then go hunt. The game was that the POI was close enough to the object that you’re not searching a wide area, but far enough that you still had to search. The POI name was a clue, the only clue you get. My friend told me about this game, adapted from her parents, who used print maps. Her dad proposed to her mom through the game. A bit much for this comment, I think, but my friend took the story of their engagement and made it into a gmaps game. It was fun! And this geocaching thing looks fun, too!
That’s so sweet! Sounds very much like geocaching
I love doing what I’m doing right now: waking up early and just taking 3 hours or so to enjoy a couple of cups of coffee while browsing the internet with no hurry to be anywhere.
I almost never plan anything ahead. I think it’s due to my undiagnosed ADD, but I’m really the happiest when I have an open schedule and can do whatever I want whenever the motivation strikes. One day, I might just sit and browse Lemmy or watch YouTube the whole morning, and another day I’m in my shed organizing screws for 8 hours straight without eating, drinking, or going to the toilet.
Then, of course, there are the usual activities: long walks, mountain biking, cooking by a campfire, and the occasional trip with my family’s boat, etc. I’m basically the most boring person you’ll meet. I no longer even feel FOMO when I hear about other people’s trips abroad during their vacations. Good for you, but I have zero interest in that.
For me it’s more that I don’t get excited about things other people do. Like going to tourist hot spots. Worst places to be ever.
If I can spend my weekend at home, it’s really nice and I don’t get bored.
See for me I do that every day. I have no life. So being able to do nothing on my days off isn’t special and is boring. Idk.
Nothing, anything? I don’t actively plan for vacation except maybe where I’m gonna be. Once there, even if I am in another city, I go with the mood of the time and try not to feel obligated to do anything. If I stay home sometimes I end up doing things that were put off for a long time, I finish them, grab a beer meanwhile, afterwards, even if it’s in the morning as long as it’s hot and that’s it for the day.
As little as possible.
What’s a vacation?
I’m an American. The only vacations I’ve had in the last 5 years that aren’t work related trips have been staying home and cleaning. The big problem is lining up time when my wife and I both can take time off work, which has been nigh on impossible recently.
To be clear, this isn’t bragging. I need a real vacation but the combination of COVID, wanting to buy a house, and my wife needing to spend her leave on things that aren’t vacation (sick leave, bereavement leave) has led us to not being able to sync something up since our honeymoon.
I grew up with parents who loved to do and see everything and it made me exhausted.
So when I go on vacation I just spend time relaxing.
Eat local foods! I love food tourism.
Read. Drink. Read. Not necessarily in that order.
I like to visit historical sites and museums at the place I’m visiting. I’m also the person who will pay the tourist tax to go to the top of tall buildings. The last couple of trips have been road trips around the country I’m visiting. I also like trying foods that the place is known for (or making my spouse try it if it’s something I won’t like cause I can be picky).
Also, there is something to be said for the occasional staycation where you just live your normal life without having to work.
I look for good food and things to see and do that are unique to the area.
New Orleans, for example. The French Quarter is interesting. I like the food, art, and street music. But it’s also nice to see the bayous. Lake Pontchartrain. Plantations and oak trees. Trucks full of sugar cane driving down the road. People fishing in lawn chairs at the side of the road.
Or taking a tour of a destroyer in July. Sunny, 95 degrees, and like 115% humidity. Those nice thick metal walls absorb it all. AC in only one corner of the ship. That sweet-ass Southern iced tea feels just right after that. Gator meat isn’t bad either.
You can also go uptown for the actual good food
Any favorites that you would recommend off the top of your head? I’m open to any kind of food.
any kind of food
Well, I’m only gonna recommend local delicacies.
- Gris Gris
- Commander’s Palace
- Jacque Imo’s
- Boucherie
- Franky & Johnny’s
I also stop at Adams St. Grocery during King Cake season - as early as I can! - for cake & also a few lunches.
Thanks!
