It’s that time of year again. February has just rolled by, and March is revving up. And that can mean only one thing.
It’s the time of the term when everyone, or maybe just me, is feeling more than just a little bit burned out. So this year, I’m looking for a Spring Break departure from the usual beaches and alcohol consumption.
If you’re interested, here is a list of Spring Break vacations that are an escape from the sun- and alcohol-soaked respites that have us literally and figuratively burned as well.
Go just 117 miles past Cancun and celebrate the Spring Equinox at Mexico’s Chitzen Itza. Get in touch with nature and marvel at the impressiveness of Mayan design. Here a Mayan pyramid was built so that at the time of the equinox the shadow of the feathered snake-god Kukulcan appears to march down the pyramid of El Castillo in the annual effect. And it will be a lot less crowded than the beaches and clubs of Cancun.
Or perhaps you are into colder temperatures and snow sports. Skiing in Colorado is often a popular Spring Break activity. It’s a good deal because it’s near the end of the season, so prices are cheaper. But be sure you do some actual skiing because you don’t want to spend all that money on snow-bunny gear and not use it once.
Be careful, though. Don’t go all out if you’re an inexperienced skier. Take it easy and work your way up to “Dead Man’s Drop-off.” You don’t want to come back to school with a broken leg.
Another up-and-coming idea for Spring Break escape is a trip to “The greatest city in the world.” New York obviously offers just about anything you could want. If you choose this venue, try taking in a Broadway show, or go see a performance at the Met. No, not the Mets spring training, although that would be cool-I’m talking about the Metropolitan Opera House. Broaden your horizons, not just on the globe, but also in your level of culture.
Caution, though. New York is a thrill, but it’s also expensive. Try paying $8 for a beer. If money is no object, take a week off in the Big Apple, but don’t break the bank.
Of course there’s the philanthropic Spring Break that has become a stand-by with religious organizations over the years. You can go to the inner city and work in a soup kitchen. Or if you enjoy working with your hands, you can volunteer with Habitat for Humanity or a similar charity. A week of pitching in and building houses for the needy will recharge your soul as well as your battery.
But if you must have water in your Spring Break, here’s an idea that I hope you’ll like. Trade the waves of the beach for the rapids of any water resort and add some adventure with a little white water. White water rafting is fun and way less expensive than a stay at a beachfront resort in a third-world country. But be sure to wear your life-vest. The rapids are, well, rapid, and people do fall out of the boat. And for you ladies, every story I’ve ever heard about any rafting instructor includes words like “hot” and “gorgeous.”
Try taking a trip overseas for Spring Break. You can find several inexpensive European discovery trips on the Web. A week spent in London, Rome, Paris or Amsterdam will surely be one to remember. Or try a European tour and see all of the above. Another popular European choice is to hike through Europe. It’s not as far as it sounds. After all, the island of Great Britain is roughly the same size as the state of Georgia.
Speaking of Georgia, that’s where I’m going to be over Spring Break. My brother, a buddy and I will be getting back to basics by backpacking the southernmost 50 miles of the Appalachian Trail. This mountain getaway is exactly that. There’s no TV, no Internet and very little interaction with anyone except Mother Nature. And turn off your cell phones, because it is strictly taboo except in an emergency. The views from atop the southern Appalachian Mountains are exquisite, and the solitude of trail life afforded by this destination allows one to clear one’s head. Get your pack as light as possible, though, because the Appalachian Trial is extremely up and down. But it’s an experience you will never forget.
Try one of these alternative trips to destinations other than the beach, and you will find you remember more of it. Besides, you’ve got the rest of the semester to wake up every morning with a hangover, and at least in most of these alternatives, you can drink the water.
Nick Thompson is a senior communication major. He can be reached at [email protected].