I am so impressed with all this wisdom and insight in one room. So fortunate to have found you.

Ira: I'm not a puritan, but close, a lapsed Catholic (as Incognito guessed), so guilt is definitely a large part of the problem, the inability to live for the moment and the blame for much of my travel stress.

Ira: don't know you well enough--Louvre, "a minor cultural significance?" I'm very curious. Can you please explain?

Yes, all of you presented such a persuasive case--you've been very helpful. So on my next trip, soon I hope, you'll find me nestled in an outdoor cafe, sipping some local vino and just enjoying!!

PS: printing this thread so I do not forget and fall back to my old ways!! ([email protected])

I think when we arrive on a trip fresh from very busy, very structured lives, switching to total spontaneity can feel very odd. To cope with the strange feeling of having 'nothing to do' we, like eahayden, plan time to do nothing. Our brains, fooled into thinking that that means we must actually be doing something productive, can then relax.