Could you unplug from your technology for a week. I did (almost) and I really enjoyed it! I travelled recently the Dominican Republic with a girlfriend and had so much fun. Observing everyone on their devices I wondered what was so important that they had to have their phones with them at all times. Maybe I did miss my camera feature I have grown fond of or checking my Facebook updates. Ok maybe checking my email updates every hour. But I did none of the above for a week and it was freeing. I must admit I am addicted like many other to my phone and I don’t like that I am so dependant on my phone. I could never understand those people walking across the road checking their phones. Were they not afraid of getting hit by a car of walking into oncoming traffic. We are always looking down. What have we become as a society. Am I one of those people.
It began before I left, I was having problems with my cell phone. I spilled water on my new cell phone (my first ever fancy phone ever)… I am slow to catch on to technology. My replacement phone we bought off kijji – does not connect to the WiFi properly, it seems I am using a lot of data. Needless to say I was hesitant to bring my phone to the Caribbean, as I did not want to incur hundreds of dollars on roaming charges. I could not connect and it turned out to be a blessing in disguise!
What a freedom not to be connected to the outside world. Away from emails, phones, Facebook. Just me, the ocean and my book. Thanks to the person who decided to borrow my book I left on my lounges the first day, (I guess you really wanted to read it). Well I am happy to report that was the worse thing that happened on my trip. I have a horror story of travelling to the Caribbean with a girlfriend, (I will save that for another time).
My friend who I travelled with had her cell phone, as she needed it for business. I must admit I borrowed her phone to make a quick phone call to the family to let them know I was having a great time and see them when I get home. I was a little teary talking to the kids and missing them so I made it short and sweet.
A week away from my responsibilities of everyday – just what the Doctor ordered, a little Vitamin D and a dose of freedom. Ahhhh the power of the sun and the water, it is so healing for the soul. I haven’t been away for a while and so enjoyed my every moment. We stayed at a beautiful 5 star, all-inclusive resort, need I say more.
So many memories, we danced till the wee hours one night and jumped fully clothed into the pool to cool off. I won the blackjack tournament by the pool and had to spend yet another night at the casino and walked out with cash in my pocket woot – woot!
I watched a whole family one night in the lobby one night – all had their heads down and all were on their cell phones. I watched them for several hours while my girlfriend and I played the coolest ever board-game and the poor mother (who was the only one who didn’t have a phone) was left to socialize on her own. I think if I were her I would have got up and left. Watching another couple, I saw her on her I-pad and the man like the other women was left alone. What has this world come to…..
I say I was disconnected (almost) – I snuck a look at the Lobby Internet several times, catching up on world events. My favorite event was lying on my lounger by the ocean, listening to the waves while my toes were touching the sand.
I challenge you on your next week away to unplug from the world and feel the freedom of your senses. I recently heard on the news as I was driving the other day. The number one cause of accidents – is people being distracted while driving. It is more prevalent than drunk driving.
Turn those phones off – pay attention – be present!
Talk soon
Nancy
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