Vacations:A life without internet.

Greece
November 18, 2012 3:31am CST
Every time I go on vacations, it feels a little weird being away from my personal computer, as I cannot do my daily routine actions. Check emails, forums, browse news, game a bit, random surfing etc. Lately with the smart phones this problem seems to have been solved. I never invested in a laptop cause I never really needed it, a phone however is something you always have with you anyway. Even now I recall my earlier years, when internet was not as massive and important as it is nowadays. To make this a discussion, how do you feel about being away from your computer/internet when you are on vacations? Or are you still surfing when you are away? Doesn't it feel kinda cool and peaceful when you leave all the internet worries behind and have a relaxed time without your daily computer routines?
3 people like this
27 responses
@bryanwmc (1051)
• Malaysia
19 Nov 12
not unless you are vacationing inside a remote jungle resort or a secluded island where technology hasn't caught up yet.besides that try to think of a popular vacation spot where there isn't internet, that will be quite difficult,all you need is your tab or laptop or smart phone and in a foreign country,just look for an internet cafe or wi fi connection, it is not that hard,practically enveloped the world almost, can be good or bad. getting withdrawal and need a quick intenet fix,keeping up with your connections and what you need to do online,downside is that it is not total RnR,away from everything that has to do with technology and just have a fun time exploring where you are visiting.
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@bryanwmc (1051)
• Malaysia
19 Nov 12
Holy cr...p , there is not a single place in the whole globe that we can escape from technology, remote is not really anymore with satellites .Bring your tabs or phones there and they work just the same.Just relized tht ,there really is no where you can escape to and be sure that technology doesnt exist or canonot be access there. Unless you leave all the smart gadgets at home , i will suggest even the GPS for a feeling of really back to the raw basics if you ever do spend a holiday in a very isolated remote place.
• Greece
19 Nov 12
Yes, it is a fact that if you are on vacations inside a town, it is almost sure that you can access wi-fi for free at many places. From small cafeterias to public parks. If you are out in the wild, then that's a different matter, but who cares about wireless internet connection when they are inside a jungle. Now that I think it over.. agps might be good though:P
@marguicha (222387)
• Chile
18 Nov 12
I have had that and it`s not as terrible as I thought it would as I was doing other interesting things. I decided that most of the reasons why I`m so addicted to internet is because I live alone and sometimes I get bored. If I`m with friends or family or seeing something else, I don`t miss the web. I do mis some friends here, but I try to keep in touch as much as I can.
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@marguicha (222387)
• Chile
19 Nov 12
You are right. But I have the idea that I should use it less
• Greece
18 Nov 12
For the people that live alone, internet can be a nice getaway to an interesting world, whenever they are bored, or their friends are simply busy. Of course internet is not as bad as it might sound in this disgussion. It might be addicting, but it is way too useful and that's obviously why it is used worldwide in people's everyday life..
@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
19 Nov 12
Hi, i seldom want to bring along my laptop whenever i go on vacation. I would only bring along laptop when there is some urgent things need to attend. Most of the time, i would prefer a vacation without my laptop. It is indeed very relaxing.
1 person likes this
• Greece
19 Nov 12
I too actually seldom to never do i use laptops. I am actually a little snob regarding laptops, because I find them to weak for the things I need to do on the pc. Wether it is composing and sound processing or heavy duty gaming, I always prefer desktop pc's. So in case of vacation, since I can't do those things in a laptop, my best choice is just a smart phone, as it is compact and I can surf almost as good as with a netbook or laptop.
@maezee (41988)
• United States
18 Nov 12
I feel the same way. I just got back from a vacation and it felt weird to be away from my computer - which I also take online classes, so I felt a little *empty* on the inside while not having my computer in front of me. However, I sort of cheated - I had my phone, which I can also go on the internet on. But it's never the same as sitting in front of my laptop! It is kinda sad to think about how dependant we are on these kinds of technologies though. It should be refreshing to take a step back from them (but for some reason it's not! Talk about addicted!)
1 person likes this
• Greece
18 Nov 12
Haha..cheater! Just kidding. Many times I catch myself surfing around on the mobile phone, even though most of the times i am not looking for something particular. If I do have some good company though, which I usually have, my mind is always distracted away from the internet and my beloved computer. I guess there is no substitute for some good company!
@tedifa (1232)
• Indonesia
20 Nov 12
It doesn't matter for me life without internet.When i was vacation i don't wanna do my daily routines.I just wanna relax,and forgot all of my daily routines.Computer also need to take rest from activities.
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• Greece
20 Nov 12
Haha yes. My computer is getting so overheated that some times I feel bad for it.:P I could bake some eggs or something if I just put them in my computer case while I am gaming. Being able to have a nice time without computers or internet is essensial for people I think. We could get too lonely on the computer all day, and the online friends are never as good as the real life friends.
• Hungary
18 Nov 12
When I know I will be offline for a few days I prepare for it. But if suddenly I have no time to check the internet I don't feel that good. And when I return! Tons of e-mails and other things are waiting for me. It is difficult to go around with no internet especially when I'm bored.
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• Greece
18 Nov 12
Haha. I can see your point of view. I feel like this as well. I do a lot of preparations beforehand. It is a kind of a small shock having the internet ripped out from your life for a little. On the other hand vacations is something we want. If we are that much depended on the internet we can also just skip the vacations, and just take some days off in our own house, where we can rest and also have the computer next to us. :P
• Hungary
18 Nov 12
The best is to bring a netbook or laptop and check your stuff while having dinner in a free WIFI restaurant! We don't need to choice between internet and a vacation just spend more time on the beach.
1 person likes this
@lindsiko (355)
• United States
19 Nov 12
I work online so I spend a lot of time in front of my laptop. I recently spent three weeks in Africa where I was cut off from most technology. It was nice to spend my time doing other things, especially since the internet can suck up so much time without me realizing it. I did miss it after a bit and wanted to be able to look things up!
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@doroffee (4222)
• Hungary
18 Nov 12
It's always weird for the first some days. I tend to use the Internet A LOT. Watching videos, films, reading news, earning money, relaxing, music. Then I have to get accustomed to the lack of it. But at the same time, it's sometimes so liberating. Then I usually spend my time doing productive or more sensible things, I live healthier- It's so peaceful. But when I get back, I use the Internet for the things I really need, and then I get back to this old habit again.
1 person likes this
• Greece
18 Nov 12
Yeah. You can do so many stuff on the internet that you practically cannot get ever bored of it. No need to tell how important it is, especially if it is connected to your job. Your schedule reminds me kinda of mine as well. Many times I am glad to be away from the internet, but whenever i am next to my computer, I can't just leave it be there on its own.. I have to use it!! :P
@arunr175 (1678)
• India
22 Nov 12
It depends where I go, if the vacation is good enough with my friends or family and I am having a good time I would not miss my daily routine with my computer. If vacation turns out to be boring I would miss the time spend without internet ...
• India
18 Nov 12
vacations are good and we have to enjoy on vacations, but now-a-days if you are not online , and no updates for long time ,friends will forget you. of course we will have fun on the vacation , take pics and videos and upload on internet so that friends will know that you actually went to a vacation. everyone now-a-days are online , so keep updating and keep in touch which is only possible online. so keep updating online and enjoy vacations.
• Greece
18 Nov 12
That's a very diplomatic answer..hehe :P Find the perfect line between work/internet and real life/vacations. Keeping your online profiles up to date is pretty essensial, especially if they are directly connected to your work and incomes. I personally don't care that much about my online friends. Apart from 2-3 people that I like keeping in touch online, I have my real life friends too!:)
@Raine38 (12250)
• United States
18 Nov 12
I remember back then when my husband and I were still dating, we always bring our own laptops and internet usb in our vacations. But now, we vowed that work is work, play is play. Bringing our laptops during RnR defeats the very purpose of a vacation. But given the responsibilities we have in our work, we compromised that we will be reachable thru our Blackberry and for an hour only on a certain time all the days that we are off work.
1 person likes this
• Greece
18 Nov 12
This sounds like a very nice deal to me. You sound like you both accept the importance of both the internet, but also the importance of some quality time offline. It's really nice you could make an arrangement like this and that you both agree! Also, you sound like you make a nice use of your smartphones. Just use them in case of need.
@kokomo (1867)
• Philippines
18 Nov 12
When I was in a vacation, I leaved everything excepts for my cellphone. I want to spend my vacation with my family and friends without any attachment into technology except of course for cell phones as I said earlier.I want to experience to have a great time without the use of those technologies and gadgets and to be more attached with natures. Attached with natures like swimming on the beach, eating coconut under the coconut tree and other fruit bearing trees. Site seeing and going to the farm. Those kind of activities are what I've love most when I am on a vacation.
1 person likes this
• Greece
18 Nov 12
Indeed. Most of the times, if you are stuck to a digital screen, you REALLY cannot enjoy life. Especially on vacations, even if you try to combine them with some minor work via internet, you end up either missing some really cool stuff, or, in the best case, you end up not enjoying your vacations because your mind has been occupied with other thoughts/worries.
• Greece
21 Nov 12
I think I should do that as well. This internet is stressing me. I really miss the days when i don't spend much of my time in the internet. I am planning to do an internet free week but it's going to be tough as our lessons and news are being posted in our school website. I also communicate to my parents through the internet. My phone doesn't come important anymore as I only receive few calls and I think having an internet in my phone will just make me more addicted so I'd rather not have internet on my phone. When i went in an island for the summer, I didn't go online for 1 month and life is pretty cool.
1 person likes this
• Macedonia
18 Nov 12
I've never liked obsession with something, including computers and Internet connection. Although I usually have the need to log into the net, I've never used it when I was on vacation. The reason is that I don't own any mobile device with a wi-fi connection like lap-tops, mobile phones, smart phones etc.
• Greece
18 Nov 12
That's good for you. It sounds like you are neither obsessed or addicted to the internet and of course this can only mean good things. Actually in general it is bad to be addicted or obsessed with anything, not just internet, as such a thing can be life changing.. in a bad way. Even if you are obsessed with something good such as athletics for example, it is better to devote only the right amount of time to it, and not be over-addicted.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
18 Nov 12
Whenever I go on vacation I don't miss the internet, a vacation for me is doing something completely different a break away from the humdrum routine of every day life. This year when I went away, the place I was staying at, had signs up saying free internet access in all rooms! But I didn't think damn I should have brought my laptop. I think you appreciate the internet more when you have a break from it. I think we are easy to take the internet for granted.
1 person likes this
• India
18 Nov 12
Yes you are right. You may get relaxed to be away from which you are used to. Any thing which becomes our routine is producing bordom. First it was our need but when it satifies at certain degrees we love to escape for sometime. Bordom has to go with change of work or with humor. Humour is great medicine of all bordom but it should be live, not reading jokes.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
18 Nov 12
I feel weird as well when I am away from my computer or tablet. As a matter of fact, even if we already have computers inside the office I don't grow tired of being with technology. You might say that I have become addicted to technology but for me it is just that it's very important for me. My work and even social life is affected by computers. It's not that I like it this way. It's just that I often get involve in petty fights when I don't answer messages in facebook or twitter and then my work depends on my computer as well because I am an online teacher.
@Mattxu (62)
• China
19 Nov 12
I think that many people want to leave from his computer and internet as what you said. But it seems hard to do it. And I feel that few people could leave all the internet worries behind and have a relaxed time. If you don't deal with the emails, your co-worker may use the phone to call you. If you don't want the disturbance from your co-wokers, you need to shut down your mobile phone. And then you could get a peaceful and relaxed vacation. But when you come back to your position, you will have mass fo work to deal with. Is it the cool and peaceful holiday you really want?
1 person likes this
• Philippines
18 Nov 12
Well for me i can't live without internet. Everyday i am talking to boyfriend online because he is far from me Internet for me is very useful.
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@jdalaqui (1073)
• Philippines
19 Nov 12
It should be. However if your mind is on your computer table while on a vacation or something, you will never enjoy other things that vacation could give. You are not alone, many people fell the way you do.
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