Are You Up for a Girls’ Getaway?
Five reasons to get, set, go
It has been raining the entire week. The sun comes up for a split second, before the grey clouds gather, literally pouring their heart out. The slow-moving traffic down the road makes you wonder if the coffee plan excitedly made with the besties was a good idea. But an hour later, when you join a chirpy bunch of girls in a cozy café, your eyes twinkle.
“It wasn’t a bad idea after all!” you think to yourself.
Such is life, such are girl trips.
The world is evolving, waking up to more girl trips than ever. Women are turning into happy nomads, exploring places. Things are not the same in India though. Girl trips continue to be a luxury, a dream only the privileged can afford. Women don’t just book tickets and abandon their families for five days, unless of course it’s a bad marriage and the wife has decided to flee. Moreover, girls’ trip is a silent taboo. Imagine the frowning mothers-in-law, the wide-eyed neighborhood aunties, and distant relatives frantically calling to know whether it is really true. Are you really flinging household responsibilities on your poor husband and leaving? How is he to survive?
Well, why not?
The 2023 statistics by a travel company RV and Playa show that about 64% of travelers in the world are women. Interestingly, girl trips range from offbeat locations to young vibrant ones. Destinations like Leh Ladakh, Pondicherry and Meghalaya are the most visited in India, while Bali, Dubai and France top the list of international trips.
While travel destinations might be common between men and women, their reasons vary. ‘All boys’ trips are fab. The fact that I can have a pint of beer with my brothers at a peaceful location is amazing’ says Amrut Jha. In the words of a woman traveler Urvi Jain, ‘I travel to get a break from the daily routine, to break free and breathe’.
Travel ignites interesting perspectives on life. The question though is not about girl or boy trips, but how the break makes us feel. And how will we have an opinion unless we take a trip?
Here are five reasons to consider a girl trip:
Independence: Of course we lead independent lives but things are different on a girl trip. You get to pick the destination, the itinerary, things to shop and those to not, the food and adventures. You decide what and how you want things done. You brood over a tempting adventurous idea. What better than trying something new, or even standing your ground if you decide against it?
Free: Imagine standing by the sea, the warm breeze enveloping your face. In this moment, you are free of bondages, of time and people. You feel complete, and realize that everything is in the right place in your life. On the flip side, you might worry whether your spouse, child, pet, or parent has eaten well or is doing something they were supposed to. Now there is no one reminding them, because you are on a vacation. But then, are you really?
Younger and happier: A trip, moreover a girl trip will give you a sudden burst of energy, even before you actually board the train or take a flight. Your skin will glow and the enthusiasm in your voice will uplift your mood further. It will reflect in the everyday things you do and how you do them.
Finances: An essential part of your trip is that you finance it. The fact that no spouse, father, brother or anyone else is sending you on a trip is divine. No one just spends their salary on a trip, which means you have saved the sum for months and years and you deserve every bit of pride in booking the flight and hotels. Moreover, this applies to women who work and homemakers alike. A vacation is well earned for all of us alike. In fact, an extra bit spent to live in luxury is simply marvelous! Go for it!
Confidence: You don’t know what you are capable of until you are completely on your own. And why should your strength and confidence only be tested in challenging situations? Exuberate confidence in the way you dress on a girl trip, the way you conduct yourself and negotiate in touristy things. Open up to experiences and you will return home with a new perspective to life.
All ready to take that trip, several questions still run through your head. They revolve around the family, the maid, the food in the refrigerator, the garbage van, and a million other things. But okay, things will be bad on day 1 without you at home, they will get worse on day 2. However, day 3 is very likely to look better. Members at home will buck up and get things going.
The world continues to function with or without us. The trip is like joining our girlfriends for a cup of coffee on a rainy day. Either you take it or you pass. Your friends will remain so, but every once in a while you get a passageway to a new world, a trip to a new place. It might not be a bad idea after all!
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