usvi-on-line
Help Us Decide
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Bob & Anita
- Posts: 611
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:20 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Help Us Decide
We are seeking advice from the great and all-knowing forum. We need to decide soon whether or not to cut our STJ vacation from 2 weeks to 1 week. Here are the details our dilemma:
Our oldest son’s high school jazz band has just finalized a Europe Jazz Festival tour (10 day tour playing at 4 Jazz Festivals venues in Switzerland, Germany and France).
Their tour travel dates are from July 5th – 16th.
Our 2 week STJ vacation (reservations made last summer) has overlapping dates, June 22nd to July 7th. Our plan was to fly our two boys back from STJ on July 1 so we would have the final six days on STJ by ourselves.
Option 1 - Keep our current plans of 2 weeks on STJ: Our oldest son (17, senior in high school – will be 18 on the STJ trip) would have to get his stuff together himself so he could fly out with the jazz band on the 5th. Our youngest (15) would then have to get placed with a friend until we get home, late on the 7th. We would still get to enjoy STJ without our sons for 6 days but we would end up not seeing our oldest (college bound) son for 3 weeks and the guilt of not seeing him off. This is Bob’s preferred option (“Good growth opportunity for our son to get himself together for the trip; he needs to learn to be a man.”)
Option 2 – Shorten our STJ trip to 1 week: We checked and there would be no problem shorten our villa stay, the airplane change would only cost us $60 and changing the jeep reservations would be no problem. We would be able to see our oldest son off on his trip. We might (a big maybe – it’s only time and money) be able to fly to France ourselves to meet his Jazz Band halfway thru their tour for their last two venues. We might not be able to swing joining the tour but we would at least keep this possibilty in play if we shorten our STJ trip. Our son is the lead saxophone this year and it would be neat to see him play in one of the biggest Jazz Festivals in Europe. This is Anita’s preferred option (“We have to be home to see him off, and why can’t we go to France to watch him play?”).
What would you do?
Our oldest son’s high school jazz band has just finalized a Europe Jazz Festival tour (10 day tour playing at 4 Jazz Festivals venues in Switzerland, Germany and France).
Their tour travel dates are from July 5th – 16th.
Our 2 week STJ vacation (reservations made last summer) has overlapping dates, June 22nd to July 7th. Our plan was to fly our two boys back from STJ on July 1 so we would have the final six days on STJ by ourselves.
Option 1 - Keep our current plans of 2 weeks on STJ: Our oldest son (17, senior in high school – will be 18 on the STJ trip) would have to get his stuff together himself so he could fly out with the jazz band on the 5th. Our youngest (15) would then have to get placed with a friend until we get home, late on the 7th. We would still get to enjoy STJ without our sons for 6 days but we would end up not seeing our oldest (college bound) son for 3 weeks and the guilt of not seeing him off. This is Bob’s preferred option (“Good growth opportunity for our son to get himself together for the trip; he needs to learn to be a man.”)
Option 2 – Shorten our STJ trip to 1 week: We checked and there would be no problem shorten our villa stay, the airplane change would only cost us $60 and changing the jeep reservations would be no problem. We would be able to see our oldest son off on his trip. We might (a big maybe – it’s only time and money) be able to fly to France ourselves to meet his Jazz Band halfway thru their tour for their last two venues. We might not be able to swing joining the tour but we would at least keep this possibilty in play if we shorten our STJ trip. Our son is the lead saxophone this year and it would be neat to see him play in one of the biggest Jazz Festivals in Europe. This is Anita’s preferred option (“We have to be home to see him off, and why can’t we go to France to watch him play?”).
What would you do?
Bob & Anita
If it was me, I'd be spending the two weeks on tour with my son. Nothing like jazz in those three countries.
And the food, hell nothing like a schnitzel sandwich on white bread with mayo or a curry wurst in Germany.
And the food, hell nothing like a schnitzel sandwich on white bread with mayo or a curry wurst in Germany.
Last edited by promoguy on Thu Dec 14, 2006 2:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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California Girl
A dilemma to be sure! My opinion on this is shorten the STJ stay and go to France to see your son play!
You will always have the opportunity to return to STJ for a 2 weeker, but you may not get the chance to see your son play in Europe again. And think of how much it would mean to HIM to have his folks there for one of his biggest events.
Plus, I'm sure both boys would like to have you there to see them off in-person. A hug before getting on the airplane or going to a friend's house to stay will mean so much to all of you.
So in essence, you get to have your cake and eat it too. STJ for one week, France to see your son play!
You will always have the opportunity to return to STJ for a 2 weeker, but you may not get the chance to see your son play in Europe again. And think of how much it would mean to HIM to have his folks there for one of his biggest events.
Plus, I'm sure both boys would like to have you there to see them off in-person. A hug before getting on the airplane or going to a friend's house to stay will mean so much to all of you.
So in essence, you get to have your cake and eat it too. STJ for one week, France to see your son play!
Hmmm....well, if you were actually going to go ahead and go to France for a week too, I would cut the STJ trip short and do both locations. If you were going to cut your trip short by a week just to see him off at home, I would not do that. He will be old enough to get himself on the plane, and you will have the real "send off" coming at the end of the summer when he heads to college.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
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Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
I would definitely do it Anita's way (I'm a mom too!) But, being able to see your son play in a Jazz Festival in Europe is an opportunity that can not be passed up! You should be very proud of him (I know you both are!)
Also, we'll be in STJ the last week of June so then we can still meet you at the beach and get some good photo taking tips!
Good luck with your decision!
Also, we'll be in STJ the last week of June so then we can still meet you at the beach and get some good photo taking tips!
Good luck with your decision!
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
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Jan&MikeVa
- Posts: 1084
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:32 pm
- Location: The Chesapeake Bay
To heck with STJ, GO TO FRANCE!!! These are the special times in life, important memories for both of you AND your son (he may not admit it right now). 
I agree with everyone else about the packing and seeing him off.........
What a great summer for a college bound kid. STJ for a week with the family then a concert tour in Europe!!
Keep us posted!
Jan (akaCharlie)
I agree with everyone else about the packing and seeing him off.........
What a great summer for a college bound kid. STJ for a week with the family then a concert tour in Europe!!
Keep us posted!
Jan (akaCharlie)
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wontongirl
- Posts: 518
- Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 1:19 pm
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California Girl
Oh, but of course you must go to France. You, yourself, said that you would experience the guilt if you did not! Now you must visit the
"Republic-of-France-on-line" forum to prepare for your upcoming trip. Don't forget to purchase the two invaluable pocket reference books that will give you all the pertinant information that you will need to enjoy yourselves while you are there. "Feet, Filets and Petit Fours", and "Off the Beaten Track Beaches of the French Riviera". Bon Voyage!!
"Republic-of-France-on-line" forum to prepare for your upcoming trip. Don't forget to purchase the two invaluable pocket reference books that will give you all the pertinant information that you will need to enjoy yourselves while you are there. "Feet, Filets and Petit Fours", and "Off the Beaten Track Beaches of the French Riviera". Bon Voyage!!
Just my $0.02
First, I'd ask your son how he feels about the 2 options. Would his feelings be hurt if you weren't there to see him off and didn't come to see him play? His answer might help you decide.
Secondly, the Euro trip is a once in a lifetime chance for him and for you as proud parents. IF you're actually going to go and see him play, cut your STJ trip short.
I wouldn't cut the STJ trip short just to see him off on his trip though - he's a college bound man and needs to be able to do things like that himself - deal with getting places on time, making sure he's packed everything he's supposed to have and finding a way to make it work if he forgot anything.
First, I'd ask your son how he feels about the 2 options. Would his feelings be hurt if you weren't there to see him off and didn't come to see him play? His answer might help you decide.
Secondly, the Euro trip is a once in a lifetime chance for him and for you as proud parents. IF you're actually going to go and see him play, cut your STJ trip short.
I wouldn't cut the STJ trip short just to see him off on his trip though - he's a college bound man and needs to be able to do things like that himself - deal with getting places on time, making sure he's packed everything he's supposed to have and finding a way to make it work if he forgot anything.
Jennifer
Hold on - Wait a minute - no one seems to be concerned with your 15 year old! Seems he will be staying with friends either way. If you accompany your older son to Europe, the 15 y.o. might feel even more left out. May start a sibling rivalry, trauma even. IMHO, stay in STJ for the two weeks and have someone record the band. And if you should start to feel guilty, a few painkillers with take care of that.... But seriously, you do have a difficult decision - so whatever you do, do not listen to me!! Wishing you good luck whichever you choose, Genral
IMHO, stay in STJ for the two weeks and have someone record the band. And if you should start to feel guilty, a few painkillers with take care of that.... But seriously, you do have a difficult decision - so whatever you do, do not listen to me!! Wishing you good luck whichever you choose, GenralNo matter where you go, there you are.
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Bob & Anita
- Posts: 611
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:20 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Anita: Well Bob, the Great and All Knowing Forum has spoken. Based on the majority opinions we’ve made the decision to cut our STJ vacation back to one week and join our son’s Europe Jazz Festival Tour in France.
Bob: Anita, I have a new friend now.
Anita: And who is that?
Bob: Genral.
Anita: Oh, because he agreed with you?
Bob: Genral obviously is a person of great intellect.
Anita: Well, the decision was made; our airplane tickets have been changed and we shortened the stay at the villa. Now we have to work on travel arrangements to Europe to meet up with the tour group.
Bob: Well, I'm a little disappointed.
Anita: And why is that?
Bob: I was really looking forward to our week alone at the Bayview Villa in STJ chasing you around nekkid.
Anita: Hmmm, yes, well, just another reason to come home early, and I’m sure our good friends on the forum are not enjoying that imagery. Anyways, you still might get to chase me around nekkid on the French Riviera.
Bob: Oh, very good point, there nude beaches there, right? I’ll book our plane tickets to France tonight – touchdown!
Anita: Forum friends, thank you all for your good advice and helping us to see this opportunity more clearly. It certainly will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see our son play in Lyon, France, one of the biggest Jazz venues in Europe and another jazz venue on the Riviera. We’ll probably send our youngest son off to camp Grandma & Grandpa for the week we are in Europe; this will be motivation for him to practice his music harder so he can make the jazz band for their next tour in 3 years.
Bob: Oh yes, then back to French Riviera again, I can’t wait. FrankG, I’m searching now for those books you mentioned, especially the “Off the Beaten Track Beaches of the French Riviera".
Bob: Anita, I have a new friend now.
Anita: And who is that?
Bob: Genral.
Anita: Oh, because he agreed with you?
Bob: Genral obviously is a person of great intellect.
Anita: Well, the decision was made; our airplane tickets have been changed and we shortened the stay at the villa. Now we have to work on travel arrangements to Europe to meet up with the tour group.
Bob: Well, I'm a little disappointed.
Anita: And why is that?
Bob: I was really looking forward to our week alone at the Bayview Villa in STJ chasing you around nekkid.
Anita: Hmmm, yes, well, just another reason to come home early, and I’m sure our good friends on the forum are not enjoying that imagery. Anyways, you still might get to chase me around nekkid on the French Riviera.
Bob: Oh, very good point, there nude beaches there, right? I’ll book our plane tickets to France tonight – touchdown!
Anita: Forum friends, thank you all for your good advice and helping us to see this opportunity more clearly. It certainly will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to see our son play in Lyon, France, one of the biggest Jazz venues in Europe and another jazz venue on the Riviera. We’ll probably send our youngest son off to camp Grandma & Grandpa for the week we are in Europe; this will be motivation for him to practice his music harder so he can make the jazz band for their next tour in 3 years.
Bob: Oh yes, then back to French Riviera again, I can’t wait. FrankG, I’m searching now for those books you mentioned, especially the “Off the Beaten Track Beaches of the French Riviera".
Bob & Anita