My Own Accidental Vacation

My husband and I have three kids and 3 jobs between the two of us. With our own business and jobs that do not leave time for vacations, let alone the kids who do not leave us time for a vacation on our own, we have never taken a romantic, relaxing vacation...until now. It seems one man's disaster is another couple's accidental and forced vacation. I'll start the vacation a few hours before the mishap.

While on our way back from a business trip in New York, the GPS in our van malfunctioned. With my husband sleeping in the back, I drove through the heart of Harlem. When he woke up, he was a little more than surprised. Fortunately, we were not harmed in anyway, even though our license plate read GMANS LDY (refer to the term for government agent and you will get it). When we were finally able to get out of New York City, and get the GPS in an almost working condition, we got back on the highway.

But luck would not stay with us. The transmission to the van blew in Waterbury, Connecticut. We ended up being able to pull over at a convenience store called Winzz. This store was owned by an amazingly kind man who let us keep it there for the weekend as we could not get a mechanic to look at it until Monday (it was Friday). We stayed at the Super 8 in Waterbury. The placement of the hotel could not have been better for us. My husband is an incredible singer and spends much of his free time singing karaoke. That night we found that there was a bar, Muskey's Pub, behind the Super 8 that had karaoke on Sunday. My husband also loves food. There were no stores or other entertainment around...but there were 8 restaurants within a quarter mile. With a weekend of my favorite sport (pool), and karaoke, and food, we had an amazing weekend by ourselves. We slept. We ate. We were merry.

If I had a chance for another vacation, I would spend it right there.

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User Anecdotes

We've solicited a number of user anecdotes on this topic, and have hand picked some of the more interesting ones below. We feel that anecdotes can give a practical, human perspective on a topic.

"I once had an accidental vacation when my flight was cancelled due to bad weather, and I ended up being stranded in a small coastal village for a week. It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. I had the chance to explore the beautiful countryside, mingle with the locals, and indulge in delicious home-cooked meals. The people in the village were so welcoming and friendly, and I even managed to pick up a few words of their language. It was a reminder that sometimes, the best experiences in life are those that are unplanned and unexpected. Although it was an inconvenience at the time, I look back on that accidental vacation as a beautiful and enriching experience that I will treasure forever.
David G.


My own accidental vacation happened when I was backpacking through Europe with a friend. We were supposed to catch a train to our next destination, but we missed it and ended up staying in a small town in Austria for a few days. It was a lovely and charming place with friendly locals and breathtaking scenery. We spent our days hiking the nearby mountains, visiting local breweries, and trying out traditional Austrian dishes. The unexpected change in our plans ended up being a blessing in disguise, as it allowed us to slow down and truly immerse ourselves in the local culture, rather than rushing from sight to sight. It taught me that sometimes, the best experiences come from embracing the unexpected and enjoying the journey, rather than focusing solely on the destination.
Annette B.


Accidental vacations can sometimes lead to the most memorable experiences. I had one such experience when my wife and I were traveling in India. We missed our train to our intended destination, and ended up in a small, off-the-beaten-path town. At first, we were quite disappointed and worried about our accommodations and plans. However, we soon realized that this unexpected detour was a blessing in disguise. We had the opportunity to experience authentic Indian culture, cuisine, and hospitality that we would never have seen in a more tourist-oriented destination. We were welcomed into a local family's home, and spent a couple of days learning about their traditions, participating in their daily activities, and sharing meals with them. This accidental vacation has taught me to embrace the unexpected and find joy in the unplanned moments of life.
Arvind K.


An accidental vacation led me to discover my love for scuba diving. I was supposed to go on a cruise with friends, but unfortunately, I mixed up the dates and arrived at the port a day late. With no other option, I decided to stay in the coastal town for a few days and make the most of it. One of the local dive shops offered a beginners' course, and on a whim, I signed up. It was an incredible experience; I was immediately captivated by the underwater world, and even saw a sea turtle on my first dive! Since then, I've become an avid scuba diver and have traveled to numerous diving destinations around the world. I'm grateful for that accidental vacation, as it opened up a whole new passion and hobby for me.
Marie L."

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