Vacation is more than getting on a plane and traveling far away. It’s also about mindset. I keep marveling at the past week. I’ve been to Florida dozens of times — even lived there — and yet not until this past week did I feel far away from the daily problems and stresses.

Although I spent most of my time in a populated area, it still felt removed from culture and society. The only reason I can think that I felt this way is:

1. I barely read or watched the news.
2. I spent only about 2 minutes on the internet during the entire week.

Since I work on the internet for a living, the last thing I want on a vacation is to check my email or idly surf web sites. I stayed away from the computer. It has a slow speed and a dial-up connection, so let’s just say that staying away was not particularly challenging for me.

Our last day or so, we visited friends who live out in the woods. Instead of cars, I heard tree frogs. Instead of sirens, I heard birds. Instead of my neighbor’s coughing, I heard a fountain.

It’s Monday now, and I’m still feeling the relaxation of having been away, truly away. The deep tissue massage I had last Wednesday helped me with this mood of peace, too.

Just curious…when is the last time you went more than 72 hours without the internet? Doing that seems more and more rare these days.

—-

On another note, I read tomorrow:
June 5
Miller Cabin Series: Deborah Ager and Tung-Hui Hu
Tuesday, 7:30 pm
Free. Joaquin Miller Cabin, Picnic Area 6, Rock Creek Parkway, Beach Drive and Military Road Overpass, DC.