The "Chasin' Another Week" Story

It was an ordinary day. Checking my emails. Had one from VRBO, which is Vacation Rentals By Owner. We rented a place through this website for an upcoming fall vacation to Barbados with our friends Jerry and Just Sue. This email declared "St. Martin (SXM) Escapes for the Fall." Wow, maybe Carol and I should head back down to our favorite island for my birthday. We have been in various exotic settings for Carol's birthday over the last 10 or so years, maybe it's time for me. But, how much would it cost. After all, we are going to Barbados late fall, already. Guess it won't hurt to see the cost. I searched through the VRBO email and sure enough, there was a beachfront studio on our favorite beach, Orient Beach, for a really cheap price. Now, you have to remember that the fall is hurricane season in the Caribbean, so hence, the cheaper prices. I emailed the owner and he had the week open over my birthday. Send a message back to him asking if he could hold it for a few days while I looked for airfare. No problem! Then I called Karen, our travel agent, to find out about airfare. Holy cow, the prices were steep. Over $600 round trip, per person. I'm sure Carol wants to go, also, but that's not going to work. I kinda gave up hope. This was on a Friday and at noon that day my AARP magazine arrived. An article said to always look for airfare on Tuesday, since most airlines start sales on Mondays. OK!! Tuesday I called Karen again. "Sorry to bother you, but could you check again on the prices to SXM?" I asked her. Price was now $449 on USAirways. Only problem was that it left from Baltimore and returned to Philadelphia. Can't drive to one city and return to another. Couldn't get my car. I'd have to find a ride both ways. Not only that, USAirways is my least favorite airline, since they have lost my luggage on a couple of flights that I have taken with them and they now charge $25 for every bag you check in. I told Karen my predicament and she told me to call in another couple of days. I knew the rental place was on hold until the end of the week, so I waited. Friday I called her again. "Wow, Mr. LDub, American is down to $400 for roundtrip from Baltimore." "I'll take them," I told her. We finished the transaction and I told Carol to tell them at work we will be on vacation for another week. It's getting harder to do that, since it seems like all we do is go on vacations. But, as someone is always telling me, you better do it while you still can. You'll regret it if you don't. And, she's ready! When you travel as far as the Caribbean, it's nice to be able to spend more than 7 days, but hey, the crystal blue waters, warm sun, and sand gravity are calling. Can hardly wait. I can see a few more stories to share. And besides, how often can you lay on your favorite beach, on your birthday, in your birthday suit, if you choose?! Do I choose to? It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.