you look forward to your vacation

plan everything well ahead

make all the reservations

confirm everything to be sure

double check the itinerary

arrange the house sitter to water the plants

nothing left to chance

but then the day of departure looms closer

frantic last minute packing

you cannot decide what to take

throwing it all into a bulging suitcase

taking stuff out because it will not close

then you check the weather

forecast is unusually cold for the destination

rip out a bunch of light clothes

stuff in some warmer layers

its almost midnight now

you have to leave at 5am for an early flight

the sink is full of dirty dishes

the trash cans are overflowing

at least 2 more hours of housework

before you can crash to bed

hard to sleep worrying about the early flight

you wake up totally exhausted

its much later than you planned

you skip breakfast

the plants will not get watered

dash to the airport 

long lines at the check in

longer lines at security

will you make it you wonder?

arriving at the gate

sweaty and disheveled

the flight is delayed

will you make the connecting flight?

stress levels explode

the departure gate is crowded

people all stressed and shouting

eventually you boared the plane

somebody is in your seat

they cannot read the seat numbers

you flop down exhausted

eyeing the empty seat next to you

praying it will not be taken

then a 400 pound man smiles at you

he takes the middle seat

you are trapped next to the window

it will be a long flight

the TV screen does not work

the plastic food tastes just like plastic

the expensive drinks seem well worth it

eventually you land

then a mad panic dash for your connection

you make it with seconds to spare

a relaxing second leg

2 more cocktails

then you disembark

watching every bag on the belt

no more bags going round

your bags have been lost

fill in forms and lose more time

go to the car rental office

resisting all the upselling

to find your rental is a micro car

fortunately your have no bags

drive to your hotel using GPS

it takes you forever in ever decreasing circles

they charge you an arm and a leg to park

you consider strangling the desk clerk

your room is noisy and not clean

you cannot sleep from worry

did I lock the back door?

will Mabel remember to water my plants?

is it safe to drink water here?

how many days before you go home?