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A Simple Staycation Plan for Bored and Busy People who Like Movies #nablopomo #thursday
Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 5:00PM 
Have you ever postponed vacation plans because you either did not have the time to go on one or you could not afford it? If so, consider planning a staycation to your traveling expenses but also provide a quick getaway that is right in your backyard. Use films as inspiration for staycation plans that offer new insights to nearby towns and daily activities that provide a way for you to expand your knowledge of cinema…whether that is local or abroad.
Visit Attractions where Movies were Shot in Your Area
Instead of going to the same ol’ local places for recreation, plan your daily activities based on locations where films were shot. For example, a few scenes throughout “In Her Shoes” starring Cameron Diaz were shot at a Philadelphia restaurant called the Jamaican Jerk Hut. I’ve never been to this restaurant, so there is an opportunity to go and try some of their most popular menu items, since it’s not that far from me.
Plan a Movie Night Based on Area Attractions that were once used for a Particular Film
If you want to stay in because it’s raining, too cold outside or whatever, rent some movies on DVD that you never saw but were made in your town. I am all too familiar with the classic film “Rocky” being made in Philadelphia and I am familiar with those famous “Rocky steps” at the art museum. While I have been to the Philadelphia Museum of Art on several occasions, I’ve NEVER watched any of the “Rocky” films.
The same goes for Oprah Winfrey’s movie “Beloved,” which was made at the Convention Center in Philly. I’ve been to the Convention Center many times for different events such as the International Auto Show and the International Flower Show. I couldn’t tell you anything about “Beloved” though, because I’ve never seen that movie. So, “Beloved” is on my Netflix list. Maybe I’ll watch “Rocky” sometime within the next year or so.
Read a Movie, Material Based on a Movie or Something Inspired by a Movie
Do you know how long it’s going to take to read those thick Harry Potter or Twilight books? Probably not long if you make them a part of your staycation plans. Visit the library or bookstore and read books that are connected to films that peak your interest, in some shape or form. I’ve watched “Waiting to Exhale” and “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” but I’ve never read anything by Terry McMillan. Let it be known, however, that this example was made for the purpose of this post, because I doubt if I’ll ever read any books by McMillan, let alone books that those two films were adapted from.
Now, I would make an attempt at reading Gone with the Wind, since Ponyboy in “The Outsiders” liked it and I would read the short story titled “Killings” by Andre Dubus, out of mere curiosity to see if it is more lively than the long and boring “In the Bedroom.”
Any reading activities planned for a staycation may not be possible without first implementing the following task….
Disconnect for Two Hours, Two Days or Two Weeks
None of your staycation plans are worth doing if you’re multitasking and not giving this 100% of your attention. Therefore, turn off the cell phones, computers, tablets, video games, news channels on television and any other gadget or electronic device that will distract you from devoting all of your time to enjoying a vacation, right where you are. Email, Twitter and Facebook can wait until you’ve returned from the at-home vacation that you so desperately needed for your mind, body and spiritual well-being.
This post was written based on a prompt from this week's Thursday Writer's Post at One Stop Blog World.
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Reader Comments (3)
Staycations are all I do these days. In fact, I'm on staycation today--Thank you, Veterans!
Joyce
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/2011/11/writers-post-vacation.html
Excellent idea!! A Staycation is much more affordable than a vacation. With 5 kids--I do know that staycations have always been something we've looked to do. We can find lots of local attractions within 2 hours of us--and it doesn't have to cost a lot of money. We love to do Christmas at Ash Cave and go to Alum Creek in the summer. Sometimes we venture EAST and visit Amish country or we go to the City to visit the Scioto Mile. Lots to do for sure!! Cheers, Jenn.
I really like the idea of checking out nearby places that are in films. Of course, living in LA, that's everywhere, but ... a fun thing to keep in mind when we do travel to visit family as an extra twist on the family vacation.