We are in the dead of summer here in Gainesville.
Sunny days are too humid and hot to spend any significant amount of time outside, and rain showers are a constant threat to outdoor activities anyway. The options for fun to be had during Florida summers for a college student are limited, and streaming Netflix movies all day can get old quickly.
Up until college, May through August meant summer camp and family road trips. But now, for many of us, summer is nothing more than an opportunity to squeeze in a few extra credits. Summer classes are intensive — many meet up to five days a week — leaving little opportunity for a vacation of any kind. Not that we would have been able to if our class schedules allowed it — paying out-of-pocket for summer classes, with no assistance from Bright Futures, has likely left many of us with little funds to spend on leisure activities.
Fortunately for you, an empty wallet and a busy schedule do not necessarily translate to a vacation-free summer. With a little ingenuity and an open mind, you can have a fun-filled escape from reality without breaking the bank. And here’s how:
Drink a beer in the shower. You may not be able to afford to go somewhere that has a hunky, hairless pool boy serving you frozen drinks garnished with little umbrellas, but that’s not the only way to be wet and drink alcohol at the same time. Pop open a beer in the shower — cans or bottles work. I do not recommend drinking your shower beer out of a glass unless you enjoy your lager sprinkled with hot water. This works best when you have a shelf or some sort of beer platform so you can clean yourself with both hands. Please remember to clean yourself; this vacation isn’t all fun and games. If you’re a serious partier who isn’t afraid to leave little hot water left for your roommates, try two shower beers.
Ask your neighbors if you can sleep on their couch. This works best if you know your neighbors, but that is not completely necessary. Simply pack up a bag — just as if you were going on a real vacation! Neat! And go knock on their door. The beauty here is there isn’t that risk of forgetting your phone charger or a toothbrush at home because if you do, you can just go back over and grab it. Maybe watch a movie with your neighbors. Eat whatever you want out of their fridge when they go to bed because this vacation has no ridiculous minibar fees!
Sleep with your head on the opposite side of the bed than you normally do. I recommend washing your sheets before doing this as it is the part of the bed that your feet hang out — however, again, not necessary. You may be asking, how is this a vacation? Trust me, sleeping with your head where your feet normally go allows for a totally different perspective than what you’re used to. And isn’t that what vacations are all about? Don’t forget to bring your pillows with you to the other side of the bed, or you may wake up with a stiff neck. That would put a damper on your vacation.
Watch the Spanish channel. There is simply no cheaper way to visit South America than to watch the Spanish channel. Turn the air conditioning off in your house and take your shirt off. You’re now in Cancun — live it up.
These are just a few of the innumerable opportunities for vacations on a budget. Don’t be afraid to experiment and come up with some of your own.
Safe travels, Gator Nation.
Patrick Ryan is a UF English senior. His columns usually appear Thursdays.
