Bummed but not giving up - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**jengt** · 07-19-2010, 02:27 PM

Hi all,
I've been a very bad TPunk as of late. I lurk a lot but haven't been posting much. Sorry.

I was just starting to plan my next trip but got blind-sided by work issues. I had just started looking at airfare to Prague. I had even set aside time to take 1 1/2 to 2 weeks in September, figuring it would be a good time - after the summer rush & before it got too cold. I even knew it might be tight as one of my staff members is leaving to start Nursing school at the end of September. THEN I found out my other top performer was just hijacked from by my former boss. She'll be leaving in a few weeks.

So, now I'm going to have to hire and train 2 people (out of a staff of 5) beginning mid-August. Unfortunately, the job is not an easy one to learn & it usually takes 2-3 months to get up to speed. This means the earliest I can now take my vacation is December (probably late January to be honest).

Now I have to decide...do I backburner Prague until next fall & go somewhere warm (Central or South America) in the Winter or just deal with the weather & go to Prague in the winter?

Comments...suggestions?

**mooloo** · 07-19-2010, 02:52 PM

Sorry to hear about your troubles at work, its so annoying when you make plans and other people ruin them, weather intentionally or unintentionally.

I would vote to go to South America in the summer, although if you don't like being around alot of other tourists I would go prague.

To me I had being cold so would go for the warmer weather but if you don't mind cold weather then I imagine Prague would be really pretty but then i've never been so i'm not much help!

Yeah so way to give conflicting info right??

Either way go somewhere, anywhere... you won't regret it!

**expatben** · 07-19-2010, 05:36 PM

Sorry to hear about your problems. I guess the question is how much would the weather take away from your enjoyment? If winter in Prague would take too much away from it then go to South America either way it seems like you will have a good time!

**agriadam** · 07-19-2010, 06:38 PM

I may be weird but I have always wanted to see both Paris and Prague in the winter.... well with snow on the ground. I'm sure it sucks as bad there as at home but the romantic in me say's it would be beautiful... Maybe I should just leave it in my head.

Hmmm.... guess I really didn't help either

**jengt** · 07-20-2010, 03:46 PM

I'm with you Adam. I think Prague in the winter would be beautiful.

I figure the weather in Prague probably isn't much different than here during the winter. Problem is, a lot of things close during the winter. I guess I'll have to look more closely at what I want to do to see. Figuring out if the majority or minority of them are closed would definitely make up my mind.

**pinknic38** · 07-20-2010, 04:40 PM

Dude I almost bought tix to Moscow in the winter! You can totes do Prague in the winter AND when I was planning on going to Prague but didn't, everyone said Prague was better in the winter anyway.

And I am DOWN for the South America trip in the winter! Maybe you can go to the Galapagos!

**The Monsignor** · 07-20-2010, 04:49 PM

I agree with Nicole there - unless you're heart-set on going somewhere when it's warm, Prague in the off-season still seems pretty awesome.

**Elizabeth** · 07-21-2010, 08:35 AM

I have travelled and lived in central/eastern Europe during the winter months and have not experienced anything hideously unpleasant. And this is coming from someone who grew up in south Florida and now still lives in a warmish climate.

Low season in a place like Prague is much more pleasant. I think you will have a great time.

**marc873** · 07-21-2010, 04:38 PM

Seeing Prague covered in snow would be priceless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**pinknic38** · 07-21-2010, 04:44 PM

I heard something about Prague's Christmas markets too that is apparently out of this world?

**jengt** · 11-20-2010, 01:42 PM

Well, Prague is a no-go this year. Just as I was getting ready to set up the final plans for this, my dad passed away. I was Daddy's little girl & I'm having a pretty tough time with this. When I have to work things out in my head, I need nature & walking. Since it's going to be December, the kind of stuff I need to do for myself right now does not fit for Prague.

So...new plan.

I'm heading to Mexico. The current (in flux) plan is: Fly to Cancun, bus to Merida. (That, or spend an extra $75US and an extra day to fly into Merida. The $10US bus from Cancun sounds like the better option.) Few days in Merida checking out the Mayan sites which involves LOTS of walking. Bus to Chichen Itza for the day. Bus to Cancun. Couple days at an all-inclusive in Cancun to pamper myself.

Then, I get to fly back home to finish our end-of-year blitz at work before our annual audit.

Does anybody have any Must Do's in or around Merida or Cancun?

**pinknic38** · 11-20-2010, 04:30 PM

Good for you for taking a vacay though! I totally recommend a trip to Chichen-Itza to see the Mayan Ruins... you can get a daytrip for pretty cheap, that includes a few stops at markets and meals! Every hotel in Cancun will be able to arrange it.

When we went to Cancun we stayed at the Grand Oasis, it was SO nice and very affordable. We liked it so much that a girl that went with us in 2005 returned there in September for her honeymoon! So if you can get up in there, I totally recommend it. Nice time to go too cos it won't be filled with spring breakers! There are two Oasis Grand's though and the one that is the bigger of the two is the nicest... we stayed at that one but accidentally showed up to the smaller one on accident and it seemed a bit sketchy. If you'd like more info though I can get it to ya!

And if you feel like hanging out there, there is always stuff you can do... I paid $30 and got all you can drink beer and we went snorkeling (which in retrospect doesn't seem all that safe LOL) and we were on a boat on the water all day... hotels always offer all sorts of stuff.

Hit up Rob about Cancun though he goes every year I think!

**marc873** · 11-21-2010, 09:01 AM

Tulum and Chitchen Itza for sure!!!!!!!!! I didnt care for Cancun much, but if you are just going there to be pampered, then get ready for some pampering chica!!!!!

**jengt** · 11-21-2010, 06:16 PM

Yes! The airfare is purchased & the hotels are booked.

I'm so excited to finally get a chance to get away. This has been one of the most horrific years I've lived through. I'm just so ready for 2010 to be done!!!

**expatben** · 11-21-2010, 06:45 PM

Awesome!! Enjoy!!!

**pinknic38** · 11-21-2010, 08:23 PM

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!! Did you decide on the resort yet?

**jengt** · 11-22-2010, 03:20 AM

Yep. It's Gran Caribe Real Resort. It's actually the same place you stayed but they changed their name. They had good ratings and were one of the most reasonably priced. So, thanks for the tip!

This also gives me a chance to (hopefully) find one of our favorite beers...Leon Negra. If I can find it, I'll have 6 or 8 for you too.

I'm really interested to check out Merida. It's the capital of the Yucatan state and apparently there are a lot of Mayan sites nearby. The place I'm staying at in Merida is a cross between a hostel and B&B. It's some family's house with only private & double rooms but an open kitchen. They encourage their guests to mix & mingle.

I'm just excited to get OUT OF TOWN!

**marc873** · 11-22-2010, 05:28 AM

WOOT!!!! Congrats, and Rox and I stayed there as well... Cool place, but I think you are going to really enjoy your time in Merida more....

**jengt** · 11-22-2010, 05:50 AM

Marc, You're absolutely right.

I originally thought about spending 3 days in Cancun but I can't just sit around that long. I'm more the get out & check out the history & sites kinda traveller.

**pinknic38** · 11-23-2010, 05:04 AM

Oh I didn't realize they'd changed their name! Either way, yay!!!!!

AND OMFG LEON NEGRA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am eternally jealous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!