My brother is graduating on Saturday!
I will be heading back to my hometown area in order to see him, and then spending a little over a week with Mr. Bat before coming home. I grew up in the Monterrey Bay area, as well as Salinas – although I always felt like Santa Cruz was home!
I put together my vacation tips.
Flying
I always fly! I hate taking time off of work and being stuck in a car forever. I’d rather spend as much time as possible at my destination.
- Check out the sites for the individual airlines, they are often cheaper than the hub sites that allow you to search many at once.
- I fly to my destination early in the morning, and I always fly home late at night! I want to spend as much of my vacation at my actual vacation spot.
- Sign up for mailing lists! I am on the mailing list for Virgin, Southwest, and a few local airlines. I wait until tickets are on sale before I buy. I never pay full price.
- Watch for baggage fees! Every airline is different. I use only a small carry-on suitcase when flying. If I need to bring more than I will fly Southwest because they allow free checked bags. An airline that offers really cheap tickets in my area recently started charging for carry-on bags. You have to be careful before you buy! I may have to leave some extra clothes at Mr. Bat’s house if this catches on for everyone else in order to avoid paying extra.
- Be a minimalist. I only carry a few changes of clothes, a couple of books, my makeup, and an extra pair of dress shoes. If I need much else I can borrow it from friends in the area.
Staying with Friends
I generally try to stay with friends or family so that I don’t have to worry about a hotel.
- Always bring something for them. I learned this while working with Japanese people when I ran a business. It should be something from where you are traveling from. I stayed with Mr. Bat’s room mates on my last trip so I got them a thank-you card, some Las Vegas trinkets, and some postcards. I brought someone else chocolate from a local candy maker, and Mr. Bat got some cool Las Vegas showgirl shot-glasses! It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it shows that you are appreciative. This time I will be staying with Mr. Bat’s family so I am bringing them some cool flavored popcorns from a local shop called Popcorn Girl. I’m thinking jalapeno ranch and bacon cheddar popcorn. Mmmm! It’s kind of like bringing a bottle of wine when someone invites you to dinner.
Making the Most of it!
- I try to avoid fast food and chain restaurants while on vacation. It’s more fun to try local diners and restaurants.
- I make a “bucket list” before I go, and then I don’t really stick to it. If friends have fun ideas I try and do whatever, and if something is really important I ask them ahead of time if it’s something they want to do together. Having a bucket list means that if there is downtime you don’t have to sit around (unless you want to!) But it’s more important to me to spend time with loved ones that I’ve missed since I moved away.
My Pending Vacation Bucket List
- Go to Japantown with Mr. Bat and take purikura!
- Have coffee with Rubab.
- See my brother graduate.
- Go to fancy dinner with my sister Hannah. (A tradition I think we’re forming.)
- Spend time with my family!
- Eat as much home cooked Mexican food as possible.
- Go to the beach.
- Picnic!
- Eat my gramma’s amazing cuisine.
- See a bunch of people I haven’t seen in years!
