va.ca.tion

va·ca·tion (noun)
1.a period of suspension of work, study, or other activity, usually used for rest, recreation, or travel; recess or holiday: Schoolchildren are on vacation now.
2.a part of the year, regularly set aside, when normal activities of law courts, legislatures, etc., are suspended.
3.freedom or release from duty, business, or activity.



Recently on NPR, the BBC reported that Americans do not take their vacation time. Unlike Europeans, Americans accumulate weeks of vacation hours-- for what? European countries go on holiday for the month of August-- they leave work and travel, rest, and vacation (notice definition above). Why is it so hard for people from the US to vacation?? What is it that drives us to always work-- always go above and beyond and never rest?? Next week when I leave for Paris, this is my plan to va.ca.tion-- to engage the culture around me (wherever my feet take me) and enjoy resting and playing.