Submitted by Rona_Gura on

Unplugged

Unplugged
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Lifestyle

I was forcibly unplugged while in Europe last week.

 

My husband and I were in Lisbon. The converter we were using was clearly defective as my iPhone, my iPad and my husband’s iPad all blew. The iPad was even sparking when we tried to charge it.  Luckily, for us, my husband’s Android phone was running perfectly.

 

I had no alternative but to remain unplugged until we got home and I could get a new phone. I was, initially, extremely upset and apprehensive about being unplugged for several days. I quickly asked my husband to contact our children, and my sister, to tell them what happened and let them know that, if they needed me to contact my husband. Their response was the same; I should relax and enjoy the rest of my vacation.

 

Once I let the apprehension of being unplugged go, a strange calm came over me. I was able to fully immerse myself in the beauty of Lisbon and Porto-the beautifully tiled buildings were breathtaking-without the thought of checking emails and text messages. I had no choice but to relax and enjoy. And I did.

 

I learned that, unplugging enhanced my vacation experience and will try to do better in the future. Do you unplug on vacation?

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

Daniel Schwartz

I try to, especially on a cruise where I refuse to take an internet plan. Otherwise, the phone addiction does get in the way most of the time.
Fred Klein

The best I can do is not look at my phone when I get up at night...
Shelley Simpson

As long as the kids are aware and know where I am and when I will be back online, that's all I worry about. I do not feel enslaved by the devices.
Robert Intelisano

Very good question as each trip is different. Tested myself last year in Antarctica and made it 3 days before buying their boat wifi. It's IMHO, one of the most important aspects of a vacation or semi-vacation, meaning how much and for how long does one unplug?
Kelly Welles

I recall travels to 27 cities in Europe…alsoTurkey, Greece, Mexico, Canada and two mos. in Africa BEFORE the internet. Will always miss those days untethered by today’s ubiquitous cyberdom.
Rich Slomovitz

I cut down, but don't disconnect entirely. Just back from a cruise where I did have wifi. Checked work email once a day and only dealt with what was absolutely necessary which over the course of a week, was less than an hour. Definitely did less online reading and scrolling than at home, but "had" to keep up with the mess that is the Mets.
Raj Goel

I cannot fully unplug.

My phone is my camera, navigator, and a means to stay connected with friends & family.

When we were in Prague, I kept family in 5 countries and friends in the US in-the-loop on places they should go, restaurants they should experience, etc.

Call it realtime.whatsapp blogging.

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