First World Problems...
...about travelling to the Third World.
I realize, dear friends, that this makes me sound ridiculous, and that I talk about it all the time, but currently this is the biggest "problem" in my life.
(That's pretty awesome. Go me!)
My mother has gone to the passport office in Oshawa and filed her application. That means that in as soon as 10 business days, she'll have her passport and I can book our trip. This means that I'm obsessing again; the trip is materializing from fantasy to reality.
SO! What's my "problem" ? Cuba or Mexico. I can't decide. I thought I'd work it out here so that I can try to get it off my mind and get some effing work done.
Mexico: PROS
+ I've been to the Mayan Riviera before, so I know what to expect and I'm comfortable navagating it.
+ The beaches are beautiful!
+ The food is excellent.
+ They accept US dollars.
+ The people are genuinely friendly.
+ It feels safe i.e. I'm not concerned that my mother and I will get mugged or anything.
+ A 4-star resort is totally affordable...IF I compromise on my "Adults Only" caveat.
Mexico: CONS
- It seems to be twice as expensive as last year, making my dream of an "Adults Only" resort nearly unobtainable since I'm paying for both my mother and I.
- I've been there before, so it won't be a new experience...and I LOVE new experiences!
Cuba: PROS
+ It'll be a totally new experience, as I've never been there.
+ It's very affordable for "Adults Only" resorts...I can get a 4-star on the low end of my budget and a 5-star at my uppermost spending limit.
+ I hear the beaches are some of the best in the world!
+ Most of the resports have an excellent variety of activities.
Cuba: CONS
- I hear--from friends who've been there and online reviewers--that the food is mediocre to terrible. Food is highly important to me, and when I vacay I want to feast well.
- Cuba is a rather poor Communist country, and as such I'm told there is a great deal of begging not only in the towns but from the resort staff as well. Guilt pangs and fear for your safety do not a good vacation make.
- Never been there before = exciting, sure...but also daunting. Were I travelling with Jeremy, it would be different because he's A) a guy and B) has been there before, but it'll just be myself and my mom. And I'd be completely reliant on hotel staff to tell me how to get around.
- Did I mention the food is bad? It's kind of a big deal. =P
It seems I have to choose between good food and "Adults Only". Is it more important to me to have delicious yummy-yum-yums or to NOT have screaming kids running around? Ha, I know..."Sophie's Choice", eh?
Trust me, I am aware of how ridiculous all this sounds, but I'm pretty new to this whole "travel vacation" thing, so it's a little overwhelming. I mean, it's not like I can book a trip, and later if I see a better deal just change my mind and take that instead. Once you book, you're committed. AND I'm indecisive, which makes all this more challenging than it should be.
Your thoughts, friends?
Yvonne
I realize, dear friends, that this makes me sound ridiculous, and that I talk about it all the time, but currently this is the biggest "problem" in my life.
(That's pretty awesome. Go me!)
My mother has gone to the passport office in Oshawa and filed her application. That means that in as soon as 10 business days, she'll have her passport and I can book our trip. This means that I'm obsessing again; the trip is materializing from fantasy to reality.
SO! What's my "problem" ? Cuba or Mexico. I can't decide. I thought I'd work it out here so that I can try to get it off my mind and get some effing work done.
Mexico: PROS
+ I've been to the Mayan Riviera before, so I know what to expect and I'm comfortable navagating it.
+ The beaches are beautiful!
+ The food is excellent.
+ They accept US dollars.
+ The people are genuinely friendly.
+ It feels safe i.e. I'm not concerned that my mother and I will get mugged or anything.
+ A 4-star resort is totally affordable...IF I compromise on my "Adults Only" caveat.
Mexico: CONS
- It seems to be twice as expensive as last year, making my dream of an "Adults Only" resort nearly unobtainable since I'm paying for both my mother and I.
- I've been there before, so it won't be a new experience...and I LOVE new experiences!
Cuba: PROS
+ It'll be a totally new experience, as I've never been there.
+ It's very affordable for "Adults Only" resorts...I can get a 4-star on the low end of my budget and a 5-star at my uppermost spending limit.
+ I hear the beaches are some of the best in the world!
+ Most of the resports have an excellent variety of activities.
Cuba: CONS
- I hear--from friends who've been there and online reviewers--that the food is mediocre to terrible. Food is highly important to me, and when I vacay I want to feast well.
- Cuba is a rather poor Communist country, and as such I'm told there is a great deal of begging not only in the towns but from the resort staff as well. Guilt pangs and fear for your safety do not a good vacation make.
- Never been there before = exciting, sure...but also daunting. Were I travelling with Jeremy, it would be different because he's A) a guy and B) has been there before, but it'll just be myself and my mom. And I'd be completely reliant on hotel staff to tell me how to get around.
- Did I mention the food is bad? It's kind of a big deal. =P
It seems I have to choose between good food and "Adults Only". Is it more important to me to have delicious yummy-yum-yums or to NOT have screaming kids running around? Ha, I know..."Sophie's Choice", eh?
Trust me, I am aware of how ridiculous all this sounds, but I'm pretty new to this whole "travel vacation" thing, so it's a little overwhelming. I mean, it's not like I can book a trip, and later if I see a better deal just change my mind and take that instead. Once you book, you're committed. AND I'm indecisive, which makes all this more challenging than it should be.
Your thoughts, friends?
Yvonne