A Geekcorps Vacation

2006 > Puerto Rico

Don’t lie, you know your compute instead of chill

time to type
Yes Boss? I’m on it!
I work in international development, specifically in creating economic prosperity, using information and communication technologies. I spend my work days spreading the Internet, and to a lesser extent, cellular phones, far and wide.

The noble goal comes back to bite me on the ass every so often, usually when I am on vacation. As it’s my job to be online, to create accessibility, to expand the connectivity of the world’s people, I have no excuse to be offline. To get off-grid and be absolutely inaccessible for a day or a week.

Which means that vacations, the very concept of a separate work and personal life is fluid. If there is a WiFi connection, and work needs to be done, why not do it? Also, if there is no work to be done, why be at the office? What is the concept of an “office” if I can email and phone call from a Puerto Rican beach? Or the road to Tombouctou?

And so work follows me (or is it that I am addicted?) to all corners of the Earth, all the time. In Plaza de Armas, Old San Juan, I am talking to an interested corporate partner. On a Vieques beach, I email about program funding. In Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, a conference call. And this is while I am ostensibly on vacation and is Christmas time.

And I am not alone. What is your working-on-vacation horror story? Your late night, last minute proposal due during the treasured family reunion? Don’t be shy, we all have a Geekcorps vacation now.


One Comment on “A Geekcorps Vacation

  1. I coulnt find any contact email info in your site so I had to post this mail here. I hope it is ok.

    I read your photo/travelogues about Turkey – “Little Russia on the Med” and “Hagia Sophia & Blue Mosque”

    I think your website is very interesting and usefull for other travellers. I have been trying to put up a website about Turkey and really like to use your article and photos with your permission.

    My website address is http://www.iwasinturkey.com. Please take a look at my website and let me know if you let me use your journals.