I know it can be tempting to sleep in, but don’t. When you look back, you won’t remember how tired you were, but you will remember your experience.
Ash Jurberg
My last point is the most important to me, and one I tell everyone who goes on vacation.
In 2012, I was in Norway, traveling with my cousin, Yonatan. It was our last night in Oslo, and we were out late, only getting back to the hotel at 2 a.m.. We were due to fly home at 9 a.m. the next day, and I was disappointed that we hadn’t visited Frogner Park, which is the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist.
Yonatan said if we set our alarms for 5 a.m., it would give us two hours to explore Frogner before leaving for the airport. I was concerned that I’d be too tired the next day with only three hours of sleep. Then, Yonatan told me something that has stuck in my mind ever since.
“In a few years, you won’t remember how tired you were, but you will remember the fun you had visiting Frogner Park.”
We awoke at 5 a.m. and headed to Frogner, where we were the only people in the park. We watched the sunrise and admired the sculptures, creating many new memories that I will never forget.
On the flight home, I realized my cousin was right. The photos I took and the memories I made were far better than a few hours of extra sleep.
I’ve put this mentality into practice with my children, too. In September, we visited Disney World, and despite their desire to sleep in, we woke up at 6 a.m. each day to be among the first at the theme parks. This allowed us to do all the rides we wanted before the crowds arrived. They learned that when it comes to travel, “if you snooze, you lose!”
I’m sure that’s another reason why they will get to 100 countries far quicker than I did.
