I’m always lamenting the annoyances of business travel.  Whole days wasted on airplanes.  Having to feel your way around strange airports and cities.  Unavoidable expenses that the company finds an excuse not to pay for.  

Except when I think about it, some of the most fun I’ve had away from home has taken place on business trips.  When I worked in Public Relations for Computer Associates a few years back, we always dreaded the five days of hard-core stress associated with staffing our annual user conference, CA World.  But every year, when the work was done, it was time to play…and we were in Vegas.  My colleagues and I hit the casinos and the clubs with our clients – on the company.  Because of the conference, we had access to resources we wouldn’t have had otherwise – the famous buffet at the Bellagio and the delicious pool and spa at the Mandalay Bay – for example.

Just last week I did a seminar series in Port of Spain, Trinidad.  After my last session was over, my twenty-something students offered to show me around town.  They took me to the best roti joint in town and showed me all the cool, anti-tourist stuff.  I had a blast. 

I have such fond recollections of the CA World trips, and I know I’ll always remember hanging out with my friends in Port of Spain too.  I think the reason it’s possible to have such a great time on business has to do with expectations.  When you go away on vacation, you expect everything to be awesome, and inevitably you’re disappointed by something – be it the hotel or the food or the destination itself.  Business trips, however, you expect to be a pain.  So when they’re not, and you find that you’re actually enjoying yourself, it’s a very pleasant and welcome surprise.