Oblication

I came here from far away. The other coast of Canada. Every time I take a vacation, I feel obligated to visit home even though I never really want to. My parents are there, they are getting old and their health is not great. They are retired and don't have much going on in their lives. I know they won't be around much longer, and my visits brighten up their lives a bit. So I always end up booking a ticket back east to see my parents and the friends I used to smoke weed with in high school... But I want to see the world! I want to go to Japan, Chile, Ukraine, New Zealand! But every time I end up going back to my boring old hometown and seeing the same people and places I grew up around. I know it is my choice to do that. But I don't exactly feel free to choose otherwise. One of these trips I just wanna say fuck it and go to Portugal or something. Anywhere but Nova Scotia! I spent 25 years there, I have visited tons of times. I want to see somewhere new! Damn it why can't I put myself first sometimes!

19 Comments

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travels

Sep 19, 2019 at 12:02pm

If circumstances permit it, why not take a holiday somewhere with your parents? You could take a cruise together down the east coast or further away? Meet your parents in Montreal or Toronto? Have them visit you here sometime?

Oblication???

Sep 19, 2019 at 12:54pm

I understand typos but this is in your header

OP

Sep 19, 2019 at 1:02pm

I appreciate your suggestion. Due to my parents' age and health situations they have no interest in travel. Cheers.

@ Oblication???

Sep 19, 2019 at 1:57pm

Obligation + vacation is how I read it. Clever, not critical. But you keep being stickler you

Anonymous

Sep 19, 2019 at 1:58pm

Book yourself a nice little trip to Montana/Idaho. You're obviously in need of something beside freaking coastal areas.

Go!

Sep 19, 2019 at 2:09pm

Go, because it gets even more difficult as you get older. You will have far more obligations in your 40's then in your 20's. I've lived in Japan and Europe and yern to return everyday of my life. I'm so glad I have those memories. I can't imagine if I only had Canada to reflect on when life can be so rich. So go before it's too late.

What I did

Sep 19, 2019 at 2:10pm

was split my holiday. Make a pit stop for a few days in Nova Scotia on your way to Portugal. Your parents will come to understand it. Stay firm with your plans or you will come to resent your family.

See what you did there...

Sep 19, 2019 at 3:02pm

Very witty. I actually grunted in amusement. A good GSC day.
"Oblicate" on your way back. Makes more sense for European trips, but anywhere would work, really - that's what flights are for. Buy carbon offsets if it bothers you, or subscribe to Now and have them plant trees on your behalf. For those of us who don't have a racing yacht at our disposal, to cross the oceans.
Go to Portugal, or Spain, Poland, Austria or Romania, NZ, Oz, South America... Visit on your way back, to stagger your jet lag. And you'll have stories to tell. And pics, and maybe souvenirs.
The prices in Eastern Europe will blow your mind, especially for clothes (my friend is there right now). Seriously suggest you get on it, before you age beyond comfortable functionality. You're over 30 (40?50?) already and there's only so much time every year. This whole "travel in retirement" thing often turns into "vaca when I'm dead".
Tripping to substantially different places and cultures is a richer experience. NS doesn't count. Nor does North America, not really.

Same Here

Sep 19, 2019 at 3:23pm

I'm starting to resent it too, as they live too far away for me to even see my friends i smoked weed with in high school, even

I've only been on one vacation that didn't involve seeing my parents

@Obli - you just don't get it do you?
its an obligatory vacation. youre welcome.

Solution

Sep 19, 2019 at 3:38pm

A lot of flights to the places you want to see include transfers. You could book a flight to NS for 2 days then hop on flight #2 to Europe. It might even save you money!

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