I took today off to elongate the überweekend created by Friday's and Monday's being holidays in Germany (I was off a week straight without ponying up much vacation time). B and I took advantage of the kids' being at camp to make long overdue vacation arrangements. It's official -- we're headed to Turkey.
I'm sure many Americans find Turkey to be a fairly random destination for their countrymen (countrypeople?) living in Germany. However, we discovered soon after arriving here that Turkey is to many Europeans what Cancún is to many Americans (in the Southeast anyway): it's close, inexpensive, and brimming with all-inclusive resorts. While many may turn up their nose at the idea of eschewing more cultural destinations or activities for the creature comforts of a hotel specifially designed to insulate you from the "local experience", they obviously haven't taken care of our kids for any significant amount of time.
We will spend a week at the Melas Hotel near Side. The Mrs. and I will bask in the glorious Turkish sun while the kids get packed off to some kind of on-premise camp designed specifically to keep them entertained and out of our hair. I have committed to but one rule while there: no drinking prior to 7:30 (yes, a.m. -- don't you read this blog?).
Now the down side: we have to wait until nearly the end of August to go. Between now and then we'll go to Euro Disney and spend a couple of days in Paris. We also decided today that we owe it to our kids to take them to one of the greatest cities on the planet, Barcelona, possibly in May. I'm not sure what impact La Sagrada Família and the Fundació Miró will have on their developing melons, but, based on the impact it had on mine (at 31!), I'm convinced it will be life-changing (and in a good way).
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