Guide to Spending Your Severance Pay

by blushing_whale!
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March 04, 2009

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It's never a good time when you get laid off from your job. Unless of course you're ready to move on and want to explore the world. That is how I felt after working in a fast-paced environment for more than a decade. So I took the severance package, sold my beloved truck, moved out of Los Angeles in May and took a trip around the world. You only live once so might as well get out and enjoy your free time, right?

May: Yankee Stadium

The New York Yankees will play one more season at this venerable ballpark before moving into their new pad. I’ve never been to the House That Ruth Built so I called a couple of die-hard Yankee friends and off we went to a matinee game. We checked out the new stadium and took pictures of it. A construction worker spotted us and says: “Do you want a Yankee Rock?” We said yes and he handed us a piece of the new stadium. “How are we going to get Yankee Rock into the stadium?” I asked my friend. Fortunately security did not search us as we entered the stadium. Yours truly never recommends bringing a rock into a sports venue.

Yankee Stadium is impressive. Get there early so you can check out Monument Park which is a section of the stadium that contains the Yankees’ retired numbers as well as a collection of monuments and plaques. I have never cheered for the Yankees but for this game only, in the summer of 2007, I rooted for the Bronx Bombers.

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July: DC and the Stars of Once

I loved the indie film Once about an Irish busker in Dublin. So when the Swell Season – Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova – were scheduled to play at the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C., I got tickets. I told my friend Esquire to see the movie so he’d appreciate the concert.

Glen and Mar put on a phenomenal performance, playing for over two hours. After the show we lingered in hopes of meeting the stars. There were only a handful of people around so when Glen and Mar emerged, we chatted with them. (Note: The show was in July 2007 so Glen and Mar had no idea they would win an Oscar). When Esquire mentioned Oscar to Mar, she shrugged it off. “You think?” Glen said. They are super nice folks. I ended up talking to them again later in the year. “Hey, that’s an Urban Outfitters shirt,” Glen said to me when he saw me in London. I asked him if he liked Urban. “I’m a Pendleton man. I have no fashion sense.” We laugh.

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September: London and Liverpool

I flew to London and rented a room in the flat of my college friend and wife. It’s so easy to get around London thanks to the Tube. London is huge but the Tube makes it seem like a small city. Angel in Islington, where I stayed, is a hip spot. There are tons of cool restaurants and bars. So many things to see: Abbey Road, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Westminster’s Abbey, Buckingham Palace, and Piccadilly Circus, to name a few.

If you love shopping, London is the place to be. Go to Camden Town which is on the Northern Line. I spent many days buying cool t-shirts at Camden. Since I was in London for a month, I became a regular at some of the pubs and restaurants. We even partook in the weekly trivia game at the pubs and finished dead last since a good chunk of the questions were about “sport.” I know my American sports but not English sport.

We took a side trip to Liverpool mainly because I am a Beatles fan. The Magical Mystery Tour is a blast. It’ll take you to Strawberry Field and Penny Lane as well as the homes of the Beatles. The Beatles Museum is fun: They even have a makeshift Cavern exhibit. The reconstructed Cavern Club on Mathew Street (go there!) is also enjoyable. If you’re not into the Beatles hang out at Albert Lock. The International Slavery Museum is there along with a plethora of shops. If you have time go to Chinatown and eat at Ma Bo. Good food and the gal running the store, Christina, is friendly.

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September: Geneva and Gruyere, CH

Being a smart traveler means going to spots where you have friends so you can get free or cheap lodgings. You only need a few days to see all of Geneva. As we walked around town, my friend Patrick who works there ran into one of his friends. He told him that I was visiting Geneva. “Why? It’s so boring here.” Everything closes around 6 pm and everything is closed on Sunday. Some restaurants are open but they’re very expensive. Famous sites: The Jet d’Eau fountain in Lake Geneva, Saint Pierre Cathedral and the United Nations building which is where Patrick works. He gave me a killer tour. Other spots: The Red Cross Museum, Old Town and a ton of Swiss watch companies.

The drive to Gruyere is breathtaking. You’ll see healthy cows with bells around their neck. You’ll see beautiful Swiss lodges, some located by its lonesome on top of a grassy mountain. Gruyere itself is gorgeous. The cheese is superb and the food excellent. If you have a dog the waitress will bring out a bowl of water for your pet. Just make sure you have a couple of hours for dinner. Europeans like to take their time. But that’s how it should be, instead of consuming a meal in like 10-15 minutes.

PS: Stop by the town of Aigle and go to the castle on the way to Gruyere. It’s definitely worth it.

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October: Paris

You won’t find a more beautiful city at night than Paris. Do this for a great evening: Go to Cafe Kleber in the Trocadero District. Order whatever you like on the menu. It’s all so good, even the bread is fantastic. Drink some wine and eat some cheese after the meal. The Eiffel Tower is only a 10-15 minute walk. At the start of the new hour the lights of the famed tower sparkles. It’s a sight to behold and it’s free. My friend and I sat in front of the tower and marveled at the lights. We loved it so much that we waited another hour to see the display again.

I love the film Amelie so I had to go to Montmartre. It’s near the train station so check it out if you arrive in Paris by train (Gare du Nord station). Be careful of the gypsies: There are so many of them at all the touristy sites. When they ask if you speak English, just say “No. I’m Canadian,” then run.

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October: Athens and Santorini

I talked to my world traveler friends and they did not give Greece a high recommendation. My London friends and I therefore had low expectations when we got there. We were pleasantly surprised: Greece is incredible.

Athens
Visiting the Acropolis is a must. I easily shot over 500 photographs. Thank God for digital cameras. I had so much fun checking out the Parthenon. I remembered a line that basketball superstar Shaquille O’Neal said regarding the Parthenon while he was in Greece:

Reporter: “Shaq did you visit the Parthenon?”
Shaq: “I don’t know. I can’t really remember the names of the clubs that we went to.”

You’ll be surprised by the number of stray cats and dogs all over Greece. Don’t worry, the dogs won’t bite. Stop by Platki which is next to the Acropolis for lunch or dinner. It’s touristy but not offensive. Plus there are lots of good places to eat and shop there.

Santorini
I’ve witnessed the beautiful architecture of Italy, France and Spain. I’m adding Santorini to the list. We were in awe as we walked around this wonderful island. Go in October so it’s not swamped with tourists. Greek dishes such as the chicken souvlaki is delish. My friend and I each took more than 700 shots while in Santorini. I took around 100 shots of the iconic blue-domed churches in the capital Fira and nearby Oia. Oia is even more beautiful than Fira. There’s also a nice beach where we relaxed and caught some sunshine. On a scale from 1 to 10, I would have to give Greece a 10+. It is an amazing place.

So what’s the point of all this? Just a reminder to go out and have fun. (All photos shot by Ron)

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: by mswen 03/04/2009 Reply

Before the company I work for filed for bankruptcy last month and eliminated all severance pay (even that which was ongoing), I would’ve gotten almost 6 months pay when/if I got laid off. So, while I think this guide is genius and really great, I’m a little bitter reading it. ;)

: by susie 03/04/2009 Reply

Wow, I’m completely jealous!! Not that I want to get laid off or anything (and if I did I wouldn’t get severance anyway since I freelance), but what a way to do it!! Good for you and hopefully others will follow your advice :)

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About The Author

blushing_whale!

Washington D.C.

Ron "Blushing Whale" S. has been a journalist for more than 15 years. He enjoys writing about sports, films and especially food.