A Virtual Vacation That Costs Virtually Something, or Nothing…I’m So Confused

Help me here, would you…

I cannot keep up with the pendulum that swings between reality–whatever that is–and everything else–within the vicissitudes of the virtual world.

Alright, I admit I grew up when a calculator, which did nothing more than add, subtract, multiply and divide, cost my college roommate $179.  No…really.

Hey, my first Zeos desktop computer had 89 megs of hard drive storage.

No, not 89 gigs: I may be old but I DO know the difference.

Hell, nowadays, 89 megs wouldn’t run a can opener!

A few years ago, I recall the big craze about this virtual world, called SimCity, where you could build stuff without hitting your thumb with a hammer during the construction phase–that is if you don’t count the misinterpretations of the online command to “hit any key, when ready.”

“A few years ago” might have been a little shy…how about almost 20 years ago. 

Well, you kids are so clever that a few years ago (this time it really was) when you had such abundance in your enjoyment of life and energy to appreciate the wonders and beauty of the real world around you that you found a way to venture to borders beyond your physical realm.

Masses of computer advantaged citizens got all agog when they could not only participate in the here-and-now, but develop a kind of second life not limited to the realities of school, jobs, taxes and tuna sandwiches gone bad.

And for those of you who have just come out of an extended coma, that exactly what it is called; Second Life.

Now, me commenting on the virtues of this virtual world would be like the multitude of travel writers–legitimate and wannabe (that’s me)–who have not read the recent books dissing the travel writing profession, in particular the preparing of guidebooks, yet blogging their brains out on the topic (including me).

 

I have never even visited the outskirts of that Second Life place: I’m waiting for someone to publish a guidebook and give me a Garmin update.

But I have read enough to know, that somehow, you can spend real money on something that you are making up in a made up world, while interacting with other made up characters in made up places. (I don’t think I am making this up.)

Wait, this sounds like the money I invest in the stock market…I have never seen that place, either!

But there was obviously one drawback with the development of Second Life.

 

They are missing a brick and mortar storefront presence where you go to talk to real people before you give them your real money for…well, that I haven’t figured out yet.

So for those of you who lack a computer (and are reading this as published in numerous prestigious newspapers and nationally syndicated magazines) there is a real world alternative for your virtual travel planning.

Except the traveling is not really virtual.  And it is not real either.

It’s pretend, and no, that’s not the same as virtual, at least is this case.

A company headquartered in Southern California is advertised as,

Superior Holiday, located in the Station Tower, is a practice firm office that markets and sells vacation packages to a network of practice firms selling their own assortment of goods and services throughout Canada and around the world.

(I am not sure why Canada is singled out as different from the rest of the world.)

So, if you happen to find an online ad for a great sounding heli-skiing vacation, you might think twice before entering your credit card number for $1,397.50 (per person; I assume, double occupancy).

Package Code:  059Price per Unit (piece): $1 397.50

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This one day action packed ski trip includes 4 hours of great heli-skiing at the ‘Bachuh-wah-nuh’ ski hills just north of Sault Ste. Marie with helicopter service, ski instructions and a great midday lunch

But it does include a great mid-day lunch. Or not.

“Bachuh-wah-nuh.“  I guess that says it all. Or not.