The Getaway

Where do you go on vacation and what do you do once you get there?

According to a January 2015 article I read in the New York Times, most Americans traveled to Mexico in 2014 with some 21,297,000 people predicted to travel to Mexico in 2015. And not surprising at all, according to the statistics in the Times’ article, my husband and I are very ordinary travelers; because the average traveler was headed either to Cancun or Puerto Vallarta.  Like thousands of others, Puerto Vallarta was our getaway destination in March of 2016.

If you are anything like us, once you get to your destination you are more than ready for some “down time” -  resting at the pool or on the beach. Of course, there are always tours you can take, shopping to do, and plenty of good food to eat!  And, the one thing we have always avoided are the high pressure marketers trying to sell us a little piece of paradise!  

Believe me, “high pressure” anything was not on our agenda. We had already decided we were going to be laid back, spontaneous, and casual on this trip. Rest was high on the agenda and the only predetermined plans were to possibly connect with a couple we knew from the states; now residing in Puerto Vallarta.  

Well, our trip started out just the opposite of what we had hoped it would be. Our getaway began with our flight being cancelled after an hour drive to the airport to spending our first full day...yes, you guessed it...with a high pressure marketing agent trying to sell us a piece of paradise. “Why?” “Why?” “Why, did you choose to go on a property tour, you’re asking?”  

Call it spontaneity, a sense of adventure, or sheer naivety, we were most definitely lured into all of the shiney bait dangling before us.  Before our appointment, we had already agreed and told the representative we were going to say, “no” to the sales pitch.  But really, how could we pass up a trip to a beautiful gated community on the beach, a Mexican breakfast buffet, two different day tours to explore Puerto Vallarta, a private massage under a cabana at the tip of a raised pathway directly overlooking the ocean and discounts galore? After all, the massage alone seemed like it would be absolutely spectacular!

Well, the property was gorgeous; however, the “sales pitch” experience was horrendous. The agent was relentless and came at us from every direction trying to wear us down to say, “yes” to this unbelievable offer. The upside was we were able to walk away fulfilling our commitment to each other to say, “no” no matter how enticing the offer was and knowing that we still had five more days to enjoy all of our “freebies.”

Next week, when I share the story of the chartered boat ride, you’ll begin to understand why I’m sharing all of this background information with you; but for now, let’s spend a few minutes reflecting on a couple of questions.  When was the last time you were “lured” into some enticing offer?  How successful were you at not caving?  What did you factor in to make your final decision? How good are you at saying, “no” when you are pressured to say, “yes” to something that seems so appealing?

Feel free to share your experience in the comment box below.  Your comment may encourage someone, today.

Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/travel/where-will-americans-travel-in-2015-.html?_r=0
Where Will Americans Travel in 2015 by Stephanie Rosenbloom January 6, 2015