Where Are You Heading for the Winter Break?

Friends and colleagues often ask me where I am heading for the winter break. When I say nowhere it surprises them. After all here I am ready to travel at any time of the year and yet I have no plans for a winter break or a New Year break!

I will try and explain why I am not enthusiastic about traveling at this time. The first reason is professional. I am blessed because I am in academics, I probably have more flexibility to take time off during college breaks. But as the exams end, to take an example of this year, around December 27, I have to grade all those copies. And that means a lot of work. This is the usual story for my not being too enthusiastic about taking a winter break.

I think I can overcome the grading bit but then vacations mean everyone is taking a vacation. And in December and early January it is not only India, it is true the world over. I already live in a very crowded city. I like peace and quiet when I go for a vacation. During winter or summer vacations I have to really try hard to get away from the crowds and I do not like to make the extra effort. We once turned up in Gangtok at the end of December in our usual style, without any booking. We found a room with difficulty. Now go after January 15 and you can almost have the entire town to yourself! So my logic is, why not wait. I will dare not venture anywhere mainstream when the school holidays are in full swing.

The third reason is do with economics. When everyone wants to go on vacation, the demand for vacations goes up. But the supply remains constant in the short run (my first two degrees are in Economics). This leads to the increase in the price of everything. Now I am too lazy about hunting for a deal. Being the holiday season there are deals galore but they require so much planning that my mind starts to spin.

But if you are the one who likes to plan ahead you may find value in such deals. As I was looking around the site, I was stuck by the fact that there were so many shopping coupons compared to travel coupons. Now to a traveler like me it feels bizarre. Why would I like to spend money on shopping when I can spend it all on travel!

So do you have a plan for your winter break? Something may come up at my end too but I am looking forward to traveling after the rush is over!

I admit upfront that the topic of travel fashion/clothing makes me nervous. Those who know me will vouch for the fact that I can pack for even an overseas business trip in an hour or so. I will pack two business suits, formal shoes, a few shirts and I am done. Other than that I love it if it is a cold place. That means I only have to worry about my jeans and the down jacket looking respectable, rest of the stuff doesn’t matter!

My sister (who dresses up well) kept buying fancy tops before my UK trips and I would always tell her, “It is going to be so cold that I am always going to wear a jacket or coat! So don’t bother.” I am that kind of traveler. Unlike my sister I don’t spend hours in markets or shopping mall to find the dresses for my trip when I can buy the best of them online through various online portals at the lower price.

On holiday trips I am even worse, my packing would entirely consist of jeans and shirts and if it is a sponsored trip maybe one or two dresses that can be won for formal lunch and dinner. On such trips I only worry with sneakers as they are comfortable for walking and one other footwear that will go with more formal dresses.

Shoes can make or Break a Trek!

But let the talk turn to trekking gear and I may have a tip or two to share!

• The fewer clothes you carry the easier it is on the person who is carrying your rucksack. If you are carrying it yourself this is self evident!
• Getting wet or cold on treks is no fun. It is very important to have gear for rainy days and that will keep you warm. It means good rain coats, down jackets, fleece, layers and other such sensible stuff.
• If I have to choose between cosmetics and camera gear it will always be more camera gear. I am fine with a bottle of moisturizer and soap.
• Trekking shoes can make or break your trek. I learned it the hard way by trekking in a sneaker on my first trek. There were two of us on that YHAI trek and the young man told me, “What a pity, where everyone else can walk you and I end up on all fours.” We slipped and slipped on that trek.
• Having a clean pair of clothes at the end of the trek can do wonders to the mood. After the trek is over trappings of civilization become important again!

So the wait is over. I did my first ever blogging contest with Groupon a few days back. Many thanks to the 16 people who left valid comments. There were 18 comments in all but two comments were by the same person so the name was entered only once. Another comment was a good luck comment so it was not eligible for the draw.

Thank You for Your Comments

So here are the 16 names on bits of paper all ready to be folded and then drawn randomly.

All Set!

So there I go, I promise I even closed my eyes when I picked up the names!

And the winners are-

Winners of the Groupon Contest

2. Suman Saurabh (1X3000 Rupees Coupon)
1. Harsh Vardhan (1X5000 Rupees Coupon)

Many congratulations to you both. You will hear from me via email. I hope you check the emails you provided for leaving the comments.

And once again thank you all for taking part.