10 Things I miss when on vacation

An early morning cup of tea Nothing beats a double strength steaming hot cup of tea with milk and sugar brought to my bedside. Having to ring room service to get the same thing just kills my day and besides hotel brew doesn't taste the same as a home brew.

Driving my car It is just not the same as driving a rented vehicle. I enjoy the familiarity and tranquillity of my car.

250-gm supersoft feather and down pillow This is the only pillow that gives me sweet dreams like driving a cash-paid Bentley and partying at Burj Al Arab, whereas the others bring horrible nightmares like crossing the due date for paying the credit card bills. The thought of it sounds so scary!

Reading the newspaper Sitting on the throne, reading headlines from Gulf News and preparing for the day's conversation adds a great flavour to my mornings, which I do not get from any alien newspaper.

Escaping my wife's shopping sprees An excuse to attend an important meeting is an easy escape from my wife's never-ending shopping sprees. Not having to go to work can mean miles of walking in strange malls buying unnecessary pieces of merchandise like the 79th pair of brown shoes or a branded handbag just because it was on sale
in another currency.

Staple food It is interesting to experiment with new cuisine
but sometimes it can turn into a gastronomic disaster. After a while I start craving familiar food like burgers, pizza and kebab rolls. Usually deprivation leads to depression.

Watering plants This works as the best destressing therapy, especially after arguing with the spouse regarding how children should be raised. Wife is always right and in case she is wrong (of course she is) look at rule number one.

Meeting friends over coffee late at night
It may be romantic if you are on a holiday alone with your better half, but with kids it is a different ball game altogether.

An endless supply of clean clothes A limited supply of garments can become a hindrance in your social life.

My credit card if I forget it Remember what they say, “Never leave home without it.'' However, this coming vacation I'll leave it behind; after all, it is recession time.

– As told to Hina Navin, a Dubai-based freelancer