To point this in the direction of some of the more quasi-philosophical musings some of us forum members like to indulge in, this raises an interesting point about memory and experience, particularly with holidays and fleeting visits to places we don't live. Does it enrich our lives as much as we think (given that many societies place great value on travel and the cultural experience).? I have very vague memories of most holidays, does that mean they were nice as an "in the moment" experience, or do we also subconsciously "consume" more of the experience that then influences our lives and outlook longer term, perhaps more than we think?
I must admit that when I was young my holidays and travels involved first of all me and my wife and they were very hedonistic rather than culturally stimulating. When the kids came along after about ten years they were family holidays, where the hedonism was mostly for the kids and where if they had a good time then we did.
It was only in later years that our holidays changed. I and my wife went on a lot of shorter European holidays, mostly to cities (she doesn't like long flights) while I went on quite a few walking breaks abroad and the UK either alone or with my son, and on frequent road trips across the west US with an old friend from our school days.
I have found many of my holidays memorable, mostly because of the scenery and the experiences, but I honestly cannot say any of them have influenced my future life other than giving me some good memories, nor has meeting the locals given me any great insights, other than, surprise surprise, there are good people and prats in every country.
The past few years my trips abroad have mainly been to Nice helping renovate the Victorian apartment my daughter and her partner have bought, but most of that time has been spent working on the apartment or in Leroy Merlin! From my experience French tradesmen are no more reliable than UK ones, and very often are Polish anyway. Interesting area, but I'm getting a bit fed up of Nice now.
