The Benefits of a Staycation

With Covid-19 spreading throughout the world, it’s important for people to stay safe. International travel is much more problematic with many countries either closing their borders or placing restrictions on the number of visitors. Even traveling within other parts of Korea may be inadvisable: even if the number of reported cases in one area of the country is stable, it may be on the rise elsewhere. Some have decided to forgo taking a trip and are opting for a staycation.

Taking a staycation in lieu of going somewhere may seem dull but there are positives. First, while traveling can be fun and rewarding, it is also often stressful and tiring. In particular, package tours usually have rigid schedules that involve getting up early and packing in as many activities as possible with little time for relaxation. (This is especially problematic for Koreans who often take very short trips and wish to see and do as much as possible) But staying at home is all about kicking back.

It can also be nice to enjoy some activities at home. These may involve watching movies and TV, playing games, catching up with some reading, sleeping in, getting back into a hobby you haven’t had the time for or spending time with loved ones.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many to think about personal space in order to avoid getting sick. There’s no better place to practice social distancing than in the comfort of your own home!

Vocabulary:

✓ staycation: to spend one’s holidays or vacation at home

✓ inadvisable: something one shouldn’t do because it is unsafe

✓ forgo: to choose not to do something

✓ in lieu of: instead of

✓ rigid: strict, unchanging

✓ kick back: relax

Questions:

1.  What do you think about taking a staycation? Would you be interested in trying it sometime? Why or why not?
2. Can you think of any other benefits of a staycation? What would be the disadvantages of it?
3.  If you were to try a staycation, what would you do during that time?
4. When and if it becomes safe to travel where would you like to go?

Travel: Group or Solo?

Traveling is a popular pursuit for many Koreans. Following years of international travel being almost an impossibility for the average citizen, people have been making up for lost time by flocking to destinations all over the world. This craze has been slowed down of late by the Covid-19 pandemic but the numbers are expected to rebound once life begins getting back to normal.

For many, and particularly older people, package tours are an ideal way of seeing the world. Koreans traditionally take very short holidays and a jam packed tour itinerary is the perfect opportunity to see and do as much as possible in such a limited amount of time. Plus it's easy: tours usually include flights, hotels and meals so travelers don't have to worry about making those sorts of arrangements themselves.

But others seem to prefer independent travel. While getting around may be more difficult than on a tour, it can make for a much more rewarding trip. Rather than being spoon fed a selection of museums, temples and shopping centers, one may have a unique travel experience. In addition, independent travel offers freedom of choice for those of us who are happy to go at our own pace.

Vocabulary:

✓ make up for lost time: to enjoy activities that one wasn’t able to previously

✓ flock: when many people go to a destination or event

✓ rebound: return to normal levels

✓ jam packed: full

✓ itinerary: a schedule of activities, typically for a trip

✓ spoon feed: to be treated as a parent feeds a baby

✓ go at one's own pace: to go at a speed that one feels comfortable with

Discussion Questions:

1. Which do you prefer, taking a package tour or traveling independently? Why?
2. What do you think are some of the advantages and disadvantages of going on a package tour? How about for independent travel? Make lists and compare them.
3. Could it depend on where you're traveling? Would you feel comfortable traveling independently in some foreign countries but not in others? Talk about some different parts of the world and if you would prefer a package tour or traveling alone.
4. Is there any way to compromise by combining going on a tour with traveling independently?