The elusive vacation; postponed because of a client event. Then for new employee training. And again because the dog sitter moved. Finally, tickets purchased, Priceline negotiations negotiated, 3 ounce liquids contained in their zip lock bags. We sat back to enjoy the 11 hour trek to Buenos Aires. After all the late hours to prepare, the projects rushed to completion, I willed myself to relax with my $6 cocktail and dog eared copy of American Way and think ”Can this trip possibly be worth all the preparation hell?”. Absolutely.

All those CD Spanish lessons on the way to and from work didn’t prepare me for total and immediate immersion in another culture. The jolt of being a communicator not being able to communicate was paralyzing. Like many big cities, it looked familiar but the sound track had gone askew.

For instance, I looked forward to a famous Argentinean steak. I was prepared with my Spanish: Carne! Instead, I was faced with Lomito, Chorizo and Ojo de Bife. It was time to put away the dictionary and just go for it.

With my new what’s-the-worst-that-could-happen attitude I discovered many wonderful things. Proveleta, dulce de leche, alfajores and many tasty Malbecs. I also found that when I didn’t try so hard I could even carry on a conversation — so what if the verb tenses were wrong! It was part of the fun of exploring and meeting new people.

A vacation is like a mental defibrillator. Looking at people, places, menus freshly. Trying to figure out the advertising on TV and billboards without translations. Making new Facebook connections. It’s all good. It’s all fodder for the next campaign or radio spot, from a slightly different vantage point.

Take my advice: Take a vacation. Take a break from whatever you call normal. Jump start your brain.