Shopping culture

Just returned from a trip to Key Largo, FL. My first time in FL, and it was enjoyable. It's hard to spend 10 days on vacation with family. Very hard. I'll leave it at that...
One thing that compacting has done for me, is made me really aware of how others shop/spend. My desires when I go on vacation center around having a good time, and experiencing the things around me. I want to eat the local food, see the sights and explore the area. I don't enjoy going SHOPPING. I just don't enjoy going to a new place just to buy stuff. I'd rather SEE the butterfly conservatory than spend money in it's gift shop. I'd rather play on the beach and in the water than wander through the shopping district. I'd rather eat at the amazing local restaurants than buy a glass/mug commemorating it. The only memento I try to purchase when on vacation is a christmas ornament. Every year as we decorate the tree, we talk about each ornament, and where it came from and how much fun, etc. So buying the ornament is really contributing to wonderful family time, and that is never a bad thing.
At one point on our trip, someone was buying a t-shirt or a mug or something, and Ryan mentioned wanting one. I had to put the kibash on it. What are we going to do with ONE MORE MUG? i asked him.The only commemorative mugs that I really love are from the B&B we went to on our wedding night, and on our anniversary for 8 years (until they sold it!). I really don't need more crap... really I don't.
And the people in my life don't need it either. I had figured if i came across something that seemed appropriate for our house sitters as a thank you, I'd get it (and I did, Key Lime pie mix... yum!) but I didn't want to purposely SHOP for stuff. It's just me, right? Apparently not.

Well, anyway, we spent money on our trip... we rented a boat one day and went snorkeling. It was worth every penny. I saw a school of barracuda (um scary) and a school of parrot fish (awesome) and a school of baby squid (a pre-school?hahahaha). We spent money eating at great restaurants, eating amazing food and laughing together.

Way better than a mug, eh?

Comments

[kate]

Way better than a mug! With this past move we instituted a "mug comes in - mug goes out" policy;) Sounds like you had a great trip!

[Shannon]

Hi!
Yep, can do without the shopping unless it is local art and/or something unique to the region. I got a beautiful candle cover in Arizona that is now a treasure of mine and a large hand thrown plate in Mexico.

I've never really enjoyed shopping as recreation, and I'm working on lightening our load too! Shannon