Vacations Spoiled: Ten Vacation Miseries and How To Prevent ‘Em!

Top Ten Ways To Spoil Your Vacation

While walking on the beach yesterday, I witnessed two vacation’s spoiled.  One father/son lecture that I was afraid might turn violent.  And a couple yelling so loud at each other it made me want to turn around, even though the sunset was gorgeous.

Your vacation is supposed to be fun and relaxing.  What obstacles are out there, just waiting on the unsuspecting, or unprepared?  Check these out and don’t let them be the reason you come back from vacation feeling worse than you left!

1. Not getting there: Make sure your car is ready. Servicing done-check! tire pressure just right-check! Belts too loose-fixed!  Do you have a AAA card? Get it out. If you have a roadside assistance plan with one of your insurance policies, get the number into your phone!  Do it now!  Know how to change a tire.  Take a map with you.  GPS’s can be wrong, and they can die.  Don’t depend on ‘em.
2. Weather: If you are planning on sunning on the beach-what about a front coming in.   Rain for three days straight….Don’t get mad, have a back up plan.  Movies to watch, books to read, sleep to catch up on.  Board games, card games-teach your kids how to play Canasta, bridge or chess.  Have a picnic on the floor of the condo.  Be creative.
3. Sunburn:This seems so stupid to have to mention.  But I’m sitting on a balcony and can see 5 people who will be miserable tomorrow.  And that’s without swiveling my head.  Use sunscreen, in copious quantities.  Even under t-shirts. Make sure you get the latest UV-A and UV-B protection.  And if you fall asleep after too many Corona’s?  Use tea tree oil or Aloe.  Alternate Tylenol with NSAIDs.  And don’t go popping blisters with a needle please!
4. Lions, tigers, and bears:but in this case it’s jellyfish, stingrays, and sharks-oh my!  With jellyfish stings-vinegar soaks. And salt water not fresh.  Baking soda and scraping the barbs out.    At the lake this might be wasps, bees, or poison ivy.  Chiggers are a bitch, too.   Use care when walking in the woods or around structures.  Don’t awaken those stinging insects! Use DEET bug spray.   Keep antihistamines around, and an Epi-pen injection if you know you have severe insect allergies.
5. Hangover: Self-imposed misery is common on vacation.  Especially that first night.  Know you will be tempted.  Make  sure you and your friend have a deal.  You will stop at “X” number of drinks.  And if you pass your limit anyway?  Hydrate before you hit the bed.  Prophylactic Tylenol.  Have a ready made excuse for your friends and family why you look like crap….Too much sun maybe….
6. Room Shock: Your accommodations aren’t what they looked like online or in the brochure.  Don’t be afraid to ask for an upgrade or a discount.  But don’t complain if you are paying $50 bucks a night if your room smells of sweat, smoke, and sex.
7. Relative War: Don’t let the big family gathering turn into the War of the Roses.  Turn the other cheek.  Be bigger than they are.  Avoid talking about touchy subjects.  And if you can’t be around one of your relatives without being miserable:  DON’T GO!  Don’t make everyone else’s trip misery just because you think your liberal cousin is a pinhead!
8. Spouse trouble: You want to play golf.  The outlet mall is calling to your spouse.  They want  sun, you would rather fish.  Compromise is the ticket.  Share.  I shouldn’t have to tell you this.  But if you are committed to someone, you have to give, give, give in your relationship.  Play golf with your buds when you get home.  Use your vacation to spend time with the family!
9. Overspending on vacation: Yes it’s easy to whip out your card after you’ve had a few beers and get that surf and turf at $50 bucks a pop.  Have a daily spending limit and stick to it!  A bag of raw veggies with a tuna dip on the beach can be just as much fun as an overpriced, overcooked fish of the day!  (and you didn’t have to wait in line.)
10. Montezuma’s revenge: My last bout was in Central America with some suspect mayo.  I thought I was going to die.  Avoid drinking and eating anything that’s not cooked, especially at beach/open air facilities.  And carry a Pepto,  Lomotil, and phenergan (copy of  all Rx if going international)  along with a first aid kit on all your vacations.  And while you’re at it, take your home pharmacy and physician contact numbers with you, just in case…

Beach and lake vacations are  fun ways to get your batteries recharged and reconnect with your family.  Don’t let bumps in the road become active volcanoes.    Remind yourself when you feel tension in your neck or a headache coming,  why you went on vacation.  Getting stressed and angry is not one of those reasons.  Take a deep breath, take a short walk, or take a nap.

Or take 2 tablespoons of Pepto, and call me in the morning!

Reader comments:

What about you? Any vacation miseries and what you coulda’ done differently, if you could do it again?  Share your pain…You’ll feel better, maybe….

Cheers!

{photo credit: Jeremy Vandel}

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This entry was posted on Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 at 8:43 am and is filed under Quality of Life. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.