Beware of Catching the Dreaded DIF Disease When you Travel

By Dianne Newcomer

“So how was your honeymoon? I asked the young lady sitting in my office at Monroe Travel Service.

“We got the dreaded DIF” disease,” she replied in a very somber voice.

I looked at the cute little newlywed with her beautiful golden tan, and suddenly felt very bad. After all, I was the one who had so highly recommended the charming Couples Resort in Negril, Jamaica as a great honeymoon destination for them.

“How did it happen? Does it hurt?”

I was not familiar with the disease, so I wanted to know all the details.  I needed to make future clients headed to Jamaica aware of this.

“It hit me first. I guess my immunity was down, probably because I was so worn out from all the anxiety of the wedding and stuff, but, on the second day, David had a full-blown case of it, too. All we wanted to do, and they say this is the first symptom of the disease, was just lie on the beach and do absolutely nothing.”

“Oh, dear,” I said sympathetically, “So, does that mean you didn’t feel up to golfing, snorkeling, sea kayaking, or sailing, and all those other things you were dying to do?”

“Absolutely. When someone suggested we go somewhere or do something, we would just look at each other and, without ever moving from our beach chairs, we would reply, “ What’s the DIF(ference)? We’ll wait until tomorrow.” It was then that I caught on.

“Well, wasn’t it lucky they had beach waiters to attend to your needs and help with the afflictions of the disease?”

“Yeah, sand gravity is another sure sign of DIF,” she giggled.

“In fact, the bartender at the swim-up pool bar told us he had seen DIF cases set in so badly that it really gets ugly. Wives had to resort to dragging hysterical husbands into cabs while they pleaded and screamed, “just one more day…just give me one more day.”  Now, we were just having fun, so I suggested that as her travel agent, I imagined DIF would have some serious lingering side effects.

“Why, that’s exactly what we discovered!” she replied in feigned amazement. “It hits me at the strangest time. I can be in a business meeting or running to an appointment and, suddenly, my mind just goes somewhere else. David says he finds himself suffering the most when he is stressed out, under a lot of pressure at work.”

“Well, you’re young. There’s still time for a cure. I have it on good authority that the best treatment is a large dose of warm Caribbean sunshine, followed by nice long walks on white sandy beaches.”

“That‘s why I’m at Monroe Travel Service today,“ laughed Angie Franks. “We need a trip to Cancun this fall. You know, to help speed our recovery from DIF--the Dreaded Island Fever.”

If you have ever been to the Caribbean or had a wonderful travel experience to anywhere, you, too, have probably been exposed to Angie's “ what‘s the DIFference disease?" Over Labor Day, Rob and I spent 5 wonderful days in the Canadian Rockies. We would wake up to a cool crisp 47-degree day, drink our coffee on the front porch of our cabin that sat right beside a babbling brook, and watch the sunrise. Our responsibilities and stress were miles away. Time was ours. We could do as little or as much as we wanted. We were in that moment, and nothing else made a DIFerence.

Sometimes our bodies, and minds, need to put things offs. We need to take a few moments and just chill out. See life from a different perspective.  Of course, it is doubtful that your doctor or the Center for Disease Control will ever acknowledge the existence of DIF, but I will tell you that the Dreaded Island Fever is not to be feared. It is a good thing. It keeps you from rushing through the day and reminds you of the joy found in the gift of time. Sometimes you have to get away from the world you are in to see that.

Let MONROE TRAVEL SERVICE help you find the perfect place where you are sure to catch a serious case of DIF disease.  It will help you tackle the holiday season that is just around the corner, so go relax and have fun.

 See the difference travel can make in your world!

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