If you want to be part of the “in crowd”, your travel experiences must include some of the places that are “in”. I guess I’m a trendsetter and don’t know it.

Bombing "In" Vieques

Back in the 70′s, I visited the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. At that time, the island was being used for target practice by the U.S. Navy. There were a few B&B type places to stay. And any meal including a beer (even for breakfast) cost about $5. Today Vieques is “in”.

 Today there is a W Hotel “in” Vieques.

 Then there was St. Barths during the 80’s. My budget was limited. Mondays were special. “Rum Monday” became our way of avoiding buying a French baguette from a toothless, wrinkled old woman in a shack by the seaside. Locally made rum and Coke were cheaper. Now, St. Barths is “so in“.

Unless you’re friends with Jimmy Buffett, David Letterman or billionaire Russian investor Roman Abramovich, St. Barths is probably not “in” for you today.

Later, during the first Gulf War, I frequently visited Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Our idea of a cool day trip was to rent a broken down VW Beetle and drive to Punta de Mita on the north shore of the bay of Puerto Vallarta. We’d sit under a thatched palaypa all day, and consume lots of cold cerveza with fresh fish off the grill served from a cement block restaurant. As evening came, with no hotels, we drove back to PV. Only to be repeated the next day. This was luxury. 

Then came the bulldozers followed by million dollar estates next to hotels charging thousands (yes, an “S”) of dollars per night. Punta de Mita is no longer “in” my wallet. 

 So, when this email arrived in my mailbox a few days ago, I smiled. I could not resist sharing some “in” places with our readers – places many of us have never been “in” or perhaps hope never to be “in”:

 I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

 I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

 I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my friends, family and work.

 I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to jump “in“, and I’m not too much on physical activity anymore.

 I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go, and I try not to visit there too often.

 I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

 Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older.

 One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get. (Now, now!! Don’t go there….)

 I may have been in Continent, but I don’t remember what country I was in.

 It’s an age thing.

 About the only “in” place that I can say I’ve enjoyed being in was Intercourse.