viva verde

Ahh, summer that glorious time of year when school’s out, days are long and travel.

Times are changin’ a little bit though for most of us in this country. Record gas prices have really put a damper on the plane situ, that also goes for the seasonal “road-trip” across the country which costs double what it used to…all that and the dollar’s pitiful stance in the world, make the “bang-for-the-buck” not really happening when it comes to one of our beloved activities. What’s a person to do?

Don’t give up just yet and resort to the couch and watching reruns of every TV show ever made…have you thought of the Staycation?

According to the Urban Dictionary, a Staycation is: ” A vacation that is spent at one’s home enjoying all that home and one’s home environs have to offer.” That’s right, explore your home!

Now don’t be peeved or think i am being cheap (well i am), but i think this is a really great concept. Think about what we do where we live: wake-up, rush to work, rush to fave lunch place, rush home/rush to same place to hang with friends/people, rush to various places to run errands…wash, repeat.

Do we really “experience” where we live? take a moment to ponder this concept. You obviously live in your designated area for a reason, because you like it or tolerate it enough to be there a majority of you time. Well, what exactly do you like about it? More importantly: what do you want to love about it?

here are some tips if you decide to embark on a staycation:

• if you were raised in the area, take trip down memory lane: visit your old home, grade school, HS, college, library, neighborhood…what do you think about? use this as a way to write about the history of you.
• know the history of where you live: most places, with a little searching, has a tour of the area (of us in So Cal, there are a ton of strange and unique tours around LA), watch movies that are located in your area to learn more or gain another’s perspective.
• do you know the great places to eat where you live? bet you don’t (unless you are a food critic). This will serve invaluable later in conversations, advice and being a foodie!
• on the food topic: try to go “around the world” in food stores, eateries & even specialty stores in your area, learn about the region/country on the side via your local library or movies or the trusty computer. Again, you will have invaluable info to discuss, make it into a weekly event!
• hike it: do all the local hiking or even camping destinations in your area, shed some pounds and enjoy the nature where you live, it’s cheap!
• break up your routine: change how you do things for the summer-attempt the 100 mile diet for the summer, join a book club or better…
• volunteer for a local organization in your area: teach others to read, clean up a filthy beach or build a home for someone who can’t take a staycation!
• learn: the downtime in summer is the perfect time to take a class. Learn to throw pottery, salsa dance, speak Spanish, paint a picture, public speak, make a meal for 20! Learn about something you have always wanted to know about.
• is there a neighboring city/town that you still don’t know much about? take a visit and stay there for the weekend or even the day.
• redecorate: sometimes we need to “get out” because the home has become stagnate. Move the furniture around, paint a wall, fix all of those “i’ll do it when i have the time” things…this leads to…
• plan weekly brunches for friends or a monthly get-together for people…that will keep you busy! show off those salsa moves, the veggie dish that you just learned or that bright blue wall you painted in the dining room.