Recuperation

– So, what exactly have you been up to this week?
– Well, as I said, nothing much. But nothing much in a deliberate and carefully planned way, rather than just idly lounging about.
– But the net result is pretty much the same.
– To the inexperienced observer, perhaps. But the underlying intention is quite different. I think the word is staycation.
– Is that a word?
– Apparently. It is simply a holiday – or vacation, if you will – where one stays at home. I would have thought homecation was more accurate, but then doesn't rhyme quite as neatly.
– So you are basically using your week's holiday to sit at home?
– Far from it. I have been out and about, visiting local beauty spots, going on bracing walks. If anything, I am quite worn out, but in a healthy, invigorated sort of way. Like going away on holiday, but without the travelling.
– And the expense.
– That is a minor consideration, but, yes, it does work out noticeably cheaper. But the main advantage is that it takes away all the hassle of packing suitcases, sorting out travel arrangements, finding yourself in an uncomfortable hotel room, being unable to find a sun lounger next to the pool, succumbing to some exotic bug that your immune system has never encountered before, – you get the idea.
– But that is what makes going on holiday so exciting: you never quite know what's going to happen. Whereas for you, everything is fairly – predictable.
– True. Perhaps I should introduce a random element: plan my day by drawing suggestions out of a hat. Invite complete strangers around for dinner. Hang around the doctor's surgery to see what mysterious germs I can pick up. Yes, that would make it much more fun.