Few people know that during my teenage years, I spent four years studying Latin. It was one of those opportunities that at the time, I din’t know why you need it, but it felt right, so I went with it. While I’ll never use my Latin skills full-time, I do often find that background invaluable for picking up clues in foreign languages I don’t understand, but moreso it often helps be better understand my own language.
One English word that has a Latin derivation is definition of vacation. When you go from Latin to English, you often get a lot of different synonyms – English has a lot more words than Latin did. I’d like to briefly explore the three “ideals” that are represented by Latin root of vacation, vacare.
va·ca·tion
\ vā-ˈkā-shən \
Freedom
The definition of vacation means freedom. Unless you’re being shepherded by an overzealous tour guide, normally vacation means you are in charge, and nobody else. Want an extra hour in bed? Ok. Going to get up early and hike for that incredible sunrise? That’s ok too – and you’ll have earned the hearty breakfast afterwards.
I want to encourage you to incorporate some freedom into your next travel itinerary. Leave some space open, where there is nothing planned. Maybe you’ll just walk the streets and use your eyes and ears to experience the place. Maybe a cafe is your destination. Who knows: but leave yourself some room for it.
Exemption
The definition of vacation means exemption. You aren’t tied to the rules you would normally have at home. That means schedules and routines, firstly, but of course there is another perspective to this: you’ll be doing things and having experiences that locals often don’t have. (In many cases, this is a shame as locals often fail to recognise the value of attractions in their own town.)
You should relish this chance to do some things you wouldn’t normally do. Go hog wild and do the OPPOSITE of what you have to deal with at home. For those stressed out folk who can’t find a spare moment to bread, take the time on your vacation to sit and do nothing. Get a massage, go for a swim, do something to take you away from the normal. If you never get a chance to go out for a few drinks at home, then be sure to pack some fun clothes and go out and enjoy it. Whatever it is, just do it!
Release
The definition of vacation means release. Our daily lives are full of intense pressures and obligations. Don’t take those with you – too often people go on vacation only to be even more stressed out that they have a laundry list of attractions and tours they want to complete. Seeing everything might tick some boxes on a to do list, but it doesn’t make for a quality travel experience. Instead, release yourself from obligation. Give in to the travel experience and what it really has to offer. Few destinations (even tawdry, well-worn locales) are simply a façade of tourist traps. Find the things that will affect you as a person, and go do them.
Leaving Definitions Behind
Despite the fun I’ve had with examining the definition of vacation, I would encourage you to leave the definitions at home. (Exception: don’t forget your phrase book if going somewhere distinctly foreign – I don’t want you to get lost!) Vacation should be what you want to experience. In some cases, that might be nothing more than a martini and a beach lounger. In other cases, that might be an adrenalin pumped adventure. Don’t worry about the definition – just get your feet pointed in the right direction and let the situation take you.
Trust me, you’ll find what you’re looking for if you leave yourself open to finding it.
Photo by joiseyshowaa
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
That is so cool Andy that you studied Latin! I love this post, it defines for me exactly why I travel- for freedom. I have learned through various ‘self-discovery’ programs that we each have our own set of value systems that we create our life around. All decisions that are made come from what is at the top of your core value lists. For many its family, love, contribution, success etc. Well on investigation of mine, I discovered at the top lies freedom. I see how much it impacts my life with everything I do, even to the fact that I detest locking my house door(much to the distress of my husband) but doing that feels to me like my freedom is being taken away a little. I tried to change this value system around as it doesn’t always serve me well, in regards to how I want some aspects of my life to be. But I discovered my life went all pear shaped when I did that. SO now I know not to mess with it but to find other ways to maneuver around it.
So really there is no other path for me then travel/vacation as this is what it means. What a cool value I signed up for hey?
Thanks again Andy. I love your work!
Thank you
I think you signed up for a very cool value – nice job!
Cool post. They actually canceled the Latin program at my high school as I was entering, otherwise I think would have taken it as well. Being the base for so many languages would be quite convenient when trying to pick up a new language.
I agree with so many things you said, and I also agree with Caz. The freedom you get from traveling is just awesome and is like nothing else. After our RTW, we had a lot of trouble adjusting back to any type of schedule. Even things we wanted to do, like a family function or a party with friends, became annoying because we HAD to go. On our trip, we literally did what we wanted when we wanted for the better part of a year. It was so liberating and just felt so great.
Thanks again for the post.
Adam!
Laughing so hard (well not really) as we are about to return home and the past couple of days I have been sick with the thought of all these family functions I am now going to HAVE to go to. Uugh! I feel so imposed upon. It literally shrinks my lung capacity.
Yes! I’m a teacher whose been on summer vacation for three weeks. Today, only today, have I relaxed, read, slept in…what’s wrong with this picture? Good advice Adam!
Yep, a vacation gives you the chance to do what you don’t normally do. We are never as adventurous at home as we are when we are travelling. I don’t know what it is that makes us go out and do something extreme and exciting when we are on the road. But I love it!
Nice post Andy.
I need to go on one of these vacations someday
i LOVE latin – took it for 4 yrs, as well. it changed my life, in that now i can easily pick up romance languages and understand my OWN language better!
i agree with this concept of vacation – it should be what each person WANTS, not what they *think* they should want, or do. great, great post.
How funny – we need to start our own secret Latin group, Jessie
Great breakdown, I think the freedom is key to me. Of course how we define a vacation for ourselves is subjective, however freedom is universal.
Oh yeah, I’m ready to take one of those …