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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Emma Beddington

Why bother going on holiday when you can watch other people’s on social media?

Three women enjoying drinks while on floating sunbeds.
Vicarious vacationing floats my boat. Photograph: Maria Korneeva/Getty Images

I haven’t been on holiday this summer, but don’t start tuning the tiny violins. I derive an unusual satisfaction from working when others aren’t (burning martyr is my preferred summer fragrance) and I don’t like change, or strange pillows. Plus, what would Susan, the pigeon who lives on our roof, and my bounteous crop of five unripe tomatoes do without me?

A summer holiday just doesn’t appeal. Is that weird? It feels as if the climate crisis is killing the notion of summer as something to look forward to and holiday hotspots (literally) are losing their lustre, with Greek islands reaching fatal temperatures and Sicily stricken with catastrophic drought.

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