Here is my 2 cents, finally:
A bit about my "vacations". I'd been programmed to believe that one did not even DESERVE a vacation that was longer than 2 weeks. Even with a mother who grew up in a culture where a typical vacation was at least one month, taking time off to either sit in front of the TV at home or travel was considered "self indulgent".
Hub and I did not have a honeymoon. We were starting a business and were pretty broke. Soon though we gave ourselves permission for a few three-four day road trips, usually combined with business travel. About five years into our business we were talking with a client and she impressed on us how absolutely IMPORTANT vacation time was, no matter what you chose to do with it - it was an opportunity to get out of your day to day grind and recharge. We took it to heart and booked a trip to Hawaii to visit friends in Kona.
Our first trips to Jamaica together were somewhat "typical" - we stayed in a hotel, we stayed for 2-3 weeks. We were disconnected mostly - no cell phones back then, no internet - we communicated with our office via the daily fax.
Soon came cell phones - soon came internet. Soon came the ache every time we left our friends behind in Jamaica, the yearning to stay just a bit longer. Sometimes we could extend, sometimes we could not. Three weeks turned into four - we were given the opportunity to sublet our friend's place in the yard we live in now...four weeks turned into six...and on and on and here we are on "vacation" for three months.
A friend of mine once said, "First you vacate, then you recreate...then you create". Our "vacation" became more like going to our second home, actually living in our vacation spot with all the stuff that goes with that - neighbors, community, shopping, cooking, cleaning and yes, working. Disconnection? No more. But the opportunity to change up, get out of the day to day grind in California to take the time, turn off the tube, read and gaze into the sea...ah yes. There's the recharge button.
Most folks in the states do not get it - I still get the hairy eyeball when I say I spend three months in Jamaica...heck I get it on the boards all the time. Its hard to explain that I'm not always "lollling around" paradise while I'm there - I live in a magical place here in California for 9 months and I live in a magical place in Negril for 3 months. I am blessed and more importantly I am grateful for the guidance and life decisions I've made to live my life this way and I hope it continues for a long time.
http://wstcountywstend.wordpress.com/2010/10/17/don%E2%80%99t-ever-tell-people-how-lucky-you-are/
As far as the best times, over so many years there are so many. Some of my best times are what hub and I call having our "Jamaican Vacation" - we stay home, swim in the sea, relax in the shade of the palapa and take dips in the pool while making frozen drinks in our kick-ass little Hamilton Beach blender. The best times are cooking meals for our friends. The best times could even be doing wash in a bucket by hand.
The of course along with the day to day are the adventures, escapades and the something "new" we try to do each year we go.
http://wstcountywstend.wordpress.com/category/the-west-end/
The worst times have been when others have inserted their drama into our lives - and we've let it in. The last few years that has not been so much the case but it happens. My mantra these days is "I'm over 50 and over drama".
In recent memory the worst times were when we got a call at 4:00am telling us our friend's home had been violently invaded, with violent repercussions. It was life changing for my friend who had been living in Negril at that time full time for 17 years. It changed my perspective on things immensely. This past season the call I got about a friend's unexpected death was horrible and since it all took place in Negril, really, really tough.
But I always go back to the good times...always live life to its fullest and never waste a moment. Being in Jamaica grounds me, makes me take life a moment at a time and savor those moments.
Life is short. Trip hard.