The vacation policy for Autodesk employees in the United States is 2 weeks per year. Unlike other American companies, employees don't earn additional vacation as they work more years with the company. What we get instead is a 6-week sabbatical every 4 years. I am enjoying mine starting right now. My wife and I have rented an apartment on Bourbon Street in New Orleans for the month of April. Here are some of the things we've done. Had drinks and listened to music on Bourbon Street Ate beignets (donuts covered in powdered sugar) at Cafe du Monde Rode a street car Viewed pictures and statues at the New Orleans Museum of Art Saw Confederate and United States coins and machinery at The Old Mint Strolled through Louis Armstrong Park Hung out in Jackson Square Sampled fine foods via a TasteBuds walking food tour Drank a Pimms Cup at the Napoleon House Pretended to be hipsters and got drinks on Frenchmen Street in the up-and-coming Marigny District Visited The Cabildo where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803 Experienced lows and highs at the Hurricane Katrina and Mardi Gras exhibits at The Presbytere Museum Attended a 30th birthday party for my nephew (my sister's son) Took a garden tour (blog article) Paid our respects at the World War II Museum Accidentally got lagniappe ("extra") appetizers at Chef Paul Prudhomme's K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen Had a drink at the carousel bar at The Montleone Hotel Viewed graves from the 1800's at St. Louis Cemetery in the Treme District Window-shopped along Magazine Street Bought original artwork on Royal Street and had it shipped home Grilled my own boudin bought from Rouse's Grocery Enjoyed the Preservation Hall Brass Band and Irma Thomas at the French Quarter Festival Had a drink at Lafitte's, established in 1772, the oldest bar still operating in the United States Drank multiple Hurricanes at the piano bar at Pat O'Brien's Ate a muffuletta sandwich at Mesparo's in the Old Slave Exchange building Ate boiled crawfish at the French Quarter Festival Saw how the Mardi Gras parade floats are designed and created And April is only half-over. Partying is alive in the lab. Go to the original post...