Introduction
We Take Vacations is a short story authored by Melissa Day Reid with its setting based on an American setup. The narrator brings out the theme of vacation, covering a cultural aspect and social-economic background. The host seems to be a well-off family, expressed by the narrator’s description of the dresses and nightgowns, the bathrooms in the house, and the interior décor. It also describes the aspect of culture that is lacking during this vacation, with the storyteller expressing the need for privacy which is an American right for every child. The dress code expressed is that of the conservancy, which is more of an African-American home. The author’s mother tells her that the clothes were from her grandmother, while the author feels it makes her old. The theme of vacation plays out so vividly, as expressed in this essay.
We Take Vacations
The narrator’s grandmother had sent her a present for her birthday. Her mother came to deliver the gifts only to find her in short clothes, which she was not impressed with. She seemed excited to receive the gifts since that was not the norm with her family; they only went on vacations on such occasions. Her mother did not even let her enjoy the gifts; she asked her to prepare for they were leaving for the restaurant in fifteen minutes, which shows how much she has no regard for gifts. The mother even goes ahead to confess that they don’t give presents to her family; instead, they go on vacations. This clearly shows this family’s regard for vacations and brings it out as a dominant theme in the text.
Frequent visits to hotels are evident by the presence of a book of matches, with Haywood Hotel printed in it, which the narrator steals from them. These matches indicate that the narrator’s sister took it from the hotel during one of their visits which seems to be a norm in the family. This clearly shows that the family loves going on vacations more often. The narrator also shares her experience on the journey from White Sulphur Springs to Rancho Santa Fe. It was in winter, and the snowflakes were falling and piling up on every surface they landed on as well as hushing the tires of their car to southern Idaho. Their journey is more of an adventure than a normal trip, showing how much the family loved vacations. The narrator says that she is enjoying her current stay in Southern California.
Vacation as a theme also brings out cultural differences in dressing, daily activities, and mannerisms, among other factors. The author illustrates how her attire differed from those she found at the hosts. Another scenario that brings out the theme of vacations is when the narrator and his family go to a restaurant for her birthday. The restaurant was fully packed with boys and girls in celebration attire; this indicates that there was a party happening. There was a party car at the parking, indicating the occupants must have come for a party or vacation in the same venue. The narrator’s father had already reserved a position for them at the restaurant to throw a birthday celebration. The narrator’s mother then orders a bottle of champagne and asks the waiter to accompany her with three classes. They break the seal, ease the cork and let it pop. The waiter then pours her the first-ever champagne that she was scared to test, but her mother convinces her to since it is alcohol-free. The mother would then propose a toast and wish her a happy birthday before the waiters come to serve them food. The whole activity turns out to be a birthday vacation treat for their daughter.
After their daughters’ birthday celebration at the hotel, the family proceeded on whale catching expedition on the following day. There were a lot of families that came for the same event, which shows not only how popular it is but also how that community loved having vacations and fun. Parents, children, and the retired had also come to have fun during break. Photographers were not left out, too; they came to capture every activity happening in the area. After the expedition on the water, they had their lunch, and the waiter recommended a walk along the beach. The suggestion was a good idea, but there were a lot of tourists in the beach areas. The presence of tourists in large numbers at the beach is many people on vacation. Tourists can be both local and international, but they all have the sole purpose of going for a break.
As the family proceeded home after an eventful day of whale-catching experience, they headed back home; the narrator then suggested they go camping. To her surprise, her parents agreed without questioning. At the campsite, they do a lot of walks as the narrator enjoys lots of candies. Grounds are meant for people going on holiday, on vacation, or just having fun. In this context, the presence of a campsite is evident that the people from this region love going on vacation and thus supports the central theme of this set.
The narrator’s family loved to vacation, and they knew their favorite spots for vacations; that is why they always chose the best places to have fun as a family. From the arrangements, none of the family members complained or were inconvenienced by any plans for vacation. Most of the suggestions and decisions were instant, but the family still managed to go on vacation. This shows how the family is conversant with every surrounding destination as a result of how their frequent visits to these places. On the hand, the presence of tourists and other guests in their goals shows how the sites are tourist attraction and that the people love it. This brings out the theme of vacation in the text.
Conclusion
In conclusion, vacation emerged as a major theme in the text We Take Vacations. The narrator’s family seems to spend most of their time going on vacations. They use these occasions to have fun as well as mark the biggest days of their lives such as birthdays, they prefer vacations rather than gifts. In addition, most of their vacations are not pre-planned, they arise as suggestions and everyone responds in support. The presence of many families and tourists in the vocational facilities is enough proof to show how American people love and value vacations, this makes it a common but important occasion.