Everyday Vacation
Everyone looks forward to summer vacation. Well why not? You've earned it. We work ourselves to the bone, whether it is in school or at work. We are almost always in a state of chaos that we anticipate the day that we can put it all on hold for a couple of days so that we can finally indulge in that book we've been meaning to get into by the beach or to roam the streets of a romantic city while savouring that last scoop of gelato. In any case, we're yearning for a brief escape from reality and the burdens of our daily lives. But here's the thing though, we don't have to wait for those precious two weeks in the middle of August to experience that. We can create our own mini-vacations daily.
Why do we lose the day while day-dreaming about the day you can go on vacation when we can do it in the comforts of our daily lives? [what a weird sentence]. This would at least decrease your stress levels, elevate your mood , help you relax, and make your days a bit more tolerable. Why do you have to wait to get to the beach to read that book anyway? Why not create the time to get to your book? There's beauty in your own neighbouring streets where you can have a nice, slow walk while you enjoy a cone of ice cream.
If vacation, to you, means adventure, why not use your weekends to head up north for a scenic hike or camping trip? On a related note, Hamilton is the waterfall capital of the world [yah, I didn't know that either]. If you're like me and getting drenched in a waterfall is on your bucket list, you don't have to travel to Venezuela to visit Angel Falls to get it done. Spend your Saturday in Hamilton soaking in the scene instead.
I'm a foodie and I love amazing food, but that doesn't mean that I have to travel great distances to enjoy it. The amazing thing about Toronto is that there is a restaurant for whatever international cuisine you can think of. Here are a few of my favourite food joints when I'm craving "international" cuisines.
1. Messini - For authentic gyros from Greece
2. Buca- Their rustic pizzas are to die for
3. WRVST - If I'm feeling like eating German sausages made of various meats, this is the place to go
4. Planeta Mexico - I can never say no to their tacos and enchiladas
5. Love Gelato - There's nothing like two scoops of pistachio gelato on a warm summer day
If you're into relaxing and having a spa day, but can't make it to the spa, bring the spa to you. Head to your local drug store or Sephora and grab a face mask. Put on some soothing music, pour a glass of your favourite wine, light some candles and dim the lights. If you've got time, try making your own, all natural, face mask. Click here for a list of natural face masks you can make from home.
Who says you have to wait until summer to have summer vacation? There are plenty of opportunities for you to escape the mundane routine of life, you just need to take the time and creativity to make it happen.