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!
Lovely Ma’m, added this page to my favourites. In Hyderabad now… No winter…. All time winter…
Nikhil thank you 😀 Never been to Hyderabad till date!
Hey I sometimes have difficulty in believing that you actually teach students and still take vacations throughout.Quite awesome.Hmm..I am going to Thailand next week,but haven’t planned anything for Christmas,may be I would rather love celebrating with friends at home.Hey next time you plan a trip(backpacking sort of abroad) let me know,I am searching for a companion and you look like a perfect match 🙂
Enjoy Thailand Ankita. It is a beautiful country.
I too hate crowds and prefer travel when crowds are thin and there is peace and quiet.
Me too Rama.
Heading to Parashar Lake in Jan, Triund in Jan, Amarkantak in Dec. And then ofcourse Rohtang 🙂
Tarun so you will get snow at Prashar! Envy.
Of course! You are traveling through out the year, you don’t need a winter break as such right? Even I like to travel away from the crowd. We are probably leaving for our native for winter vacation, so that covers my trip through the Konkan… 🙂
Those are the best vacations I guess!
not going anywhere for my winter break because I have exhausted all my leave. Since I live in Singapore, there is no winter technically.. so would probably have gone to Koh Samui or Chiang Mai 🙂 I do like going to quieter places as well.. don’t like crowded places especially for a vacation so I exactly know where you are coming from .
Pallavi I hear both are really beautiful places! So enjoy.
Nice post mam!!
–easyaptitudes.blogspot.com–
Thank you Gowtham.
I also think likewise. Peak period are the not the good times if you are looking for peace and easily availability of everything. I remember during the december when i went to Goa, we hired Bike with rent 1000/-day while in March, we got it at 200/-day.
Rachit thank you for providing hard data for my theory 😀
Lovely! Wanna visit snow land, but heading to Southern India! 🙂
Enjoy Anita.
Nice post 🙂 We are planning to visit Konkan sometime this month.
Wish you a lovely trip.
I so agree with the crowd part of vacations. i am stuck with school holidays and wherever u go, u are bound to see them, and feel the brunt too. this year,i am stuck at home, but planning to do a bit of exploring, if possible,within the city. lets see if i get to do it or not
Anu as soon as Chhavi grows up a little more it is going to be the same for me! I am trying to make the best till it lasts!
Agree with your logic of avoiding travel during the peak season!
I bet you live in a crowded city too 😀
Yup, I think it’s better to wait for the rush to be over. I am planning to be in Bangalore next week, and then a short getaway from there. 🙂
Enjoy Renuka.
U r a globetrotter and a real travel enthusiast! I am feeling J of u now Mridula..Can i join u as a student please???? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez!!!
Shilpi 😀 thank you for your kind comments!
Winter is my favorite time to curl up with a book… No travel plans this time…
Loved the post…
Even that sounds so good Preethi, next best thing after travel 😀 and thank you.
Lovely wintry shots. I agree with you – it’s expensive and busy to travel during the Christmas break, unless you go last minute.
OK this last minute bit, I have not tried, let us see.