I love going back to the states for vacations. I hate the strategic planning that accompanies each and every trip. The trip is always too short with far too many places to visit so each trip looks more like a Presidential campaign than return home. I criticize Brits for never visiting any place but New York City but I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t on I-77, US-19 or I-79 during a trip back there.
My upcoming trip to see family before starting LBS is no different. I’ve just spent the last 45 minutes planning my arrival to departure – what city, with whom and approximately when I’ll see them. Many of my fellow schoolmates from abroad will learn this skill as they travel abroad.
Visiting people when living in the US, especially if traveling by car, is pretty simple. Load up the car, get some gasoline and drive. And drive. And drive. Stay a few days and then return home. If you want to head back a little later, assuming the vacation time is there, no worries. But when there’s an airplane waiting for the big trip back across the pond, the story changes.
Days are measured in morning, afternoon, night and late-night. Relatives and driving are mapped for maximum visits with minimum travel time. Rental cars are cheap, the car insurance isn’t. Oh, and you’ll just drool over the food. All the food. Yummy and fattening food. TV. No taxes, more than five channels. Happy day.
I’m not complaining, in fact I’m really excited. It’s been far too long since I’ve zoomed down I-77 on the ‘right’ side of the road. At least I won’t have to give any speeches at any of the stops.
