“Stuff” Happens.
People comment that traveling is easy for me. Nothing ever seems to go wrong.
That could not be further from the truth. All kinds of “stuff” goes wrong, all the time.
However, with every mishap that does not kill me, I grow. Not necessarily stronger, but certainly more flexible. Not paranoid, but expecting “stuff” not to go right on every trip I take.
This preparation usually allows me to laugh at, or find the humor when unexpected “stuff” does hit the fan.
Like Moths to a Flame.
300 adults on a plane and one screaming child. I KNOW the kid will be within one row of me, regardless of where I am on the plane. The kicking child? The seat directly behind me.
While on the subject of darling little kicking and screaming carbon units. There is the time a lady was sitting by the window with an enormous child, on her lap. The kid was big enough to be three years old. She said she needs to change his diaper. So I get up so she can go to the restroom. By the time I stand up and turn around, she has the kid down on the seats. She is changing his diaper right there. I sure am anxious to sit back down on that seat. Oh yes, the bundle of used “stuff” she shoves in the pocket with that little card no one reads.
Poop (Stuff) Happens.
Speaking of poop, if there is a bird with diarrhea within 100 miles of me. They will change migration paths to let loose over my head. Between laughs, the locals will tell me it means good luck. I am just too lucky.
Washing clothes in a public restroom never seem to get all of it out. I wear my badge of “stuff” for the rest of the day. For some reason, it is always after leaving the hotel on a travel day. I will not be seeing my luggage again until many hours later.
Luggage Stuff.
Speaking of luggage, I was in Copenhagen on a hotel and tour inspection before joining a cruise. My last morning, I brought the bags down to the lobby. It was going directly to the ship and I was going on a full day of touring. I would arrive at the boat just about sailing time. See? you already know where this is going.
I get to my suite, (do I need to finish this story?) No luggage. Call the local operator. They assure me it’s onboard. I go to watch sail away. Come back, no suitcases. Call the front desk. Delivery of all bags is over. Call the local operator.
They find it at the hotel; it did not get on the truck to the ship. I did mention the part about returning from sail away? This is when the vessel is no longer touching land?
And it’s One…
Not a problem, they can fly it to the island we will be on the next day. 45 minutes later I get the message that the only flight to that island arrives 50 minutes after we leave. So, no luggage (translation: clean clothes) day one night, day two day or night.
Two…
Surely, they can get it to us on day three, right? Well, day three is a day at sea. They might drop Lucile Ricardo on a ship at sea, but not my luggage. I keep inside my room for most of that day. The gift shop does not specialize in much dress apparel beyond t-shirts.
Three Strikes You’re Out.
Day four we arrive. I am clean, ready to grab my luggage, quick change and then off on a full day of touring. My driver and guide are there but where is my luggage? The local operator is unaware they need to pick it up at the airport. It will be waiting when I get back at 5:00 pm.
Guess who travels with only carry-on luggage now?
The 10:59 from Marathon.
Planning for a recent trip through some smaller Greek Islands I create a marathon. Ten islands in 12 days. I pretty much give each location 24 hours of time. Ferry schedules have to be working. I don’t say “on time” as I know better. This approach is part of knowing what to expect and a little healthy Murphy’s Law.
I was hoping no more than two hours behind schedule. Rental cars need to be at the pier upon arrival. Or someone to pick me up and take me to the car. The timing was critical.
The ferries were, for the most part on time. For the first five ports, bang, I was on the road within 30 minutes after arriving. I get to my buffer day, there in case the weather cancels a ferry, and I need to catch up. Still no problems.
I am reconfirming two days out, and I see there is no information for the car rental. A quick call to my operator. They thought I didn’t need one that day. I clarify that indeed I do. Within an hour, I have confirmation.
Confirm. Reconfirm. Then Pray.
Two days later I am standing on the pier with no car. The ferry is leaving. The backpackers are disappearing for their hostels; other guests are off to hotels…
A call to my operator and 20 minutes later, they are picking me up. We are driving to the car rental office.
With the delay, I am a good hour behind schedule. NOT where I like to be. Checking in with my operator that night they confirm the next day car rental office confirms pier pick up.
The next day, I am standing on the pier with no car. The ferry is leaving…
A call to my operator. Walk to the local tour operator’s office at the other end of the town. Upon arrival, they send me to the car rental place, where? Next to the ferry terminal.
I am an hour behind schedule again. I may have, there’s no proof, driven a little faster than I should have to make up time.
I’m Beginning to See a Pattern.
Next day, I am standing on the pier, the ferry is leaving…
My operator did call the day before and again this morning to confirm.
Now is a good time for a little pearl of wisdom. When you travel to places off the main travel routes, they often operate on a different wavelength.
I walk to the car rental place, a few blocks, and wait. They need to drive down and open the shop so I can rent the car.
Bring an Extra Helping of Patience and Humor.
The next island has to be different. I am meeting my operator there later in the day as we are attending a wedding. Everything will be perfect, right?
I am standing on the pier… I call the local car rental agency, let’s call them ABC. They say, walk down to the bank and they are to the left of it. I walk to the bank, and there is a car rental to the left. It has a different name, but that’s not entirely unusual. Some agencies represent multiple car companies. I present myself and say we just spoke on the phone. They have no idea who I am. I ask, is this ABC they say no, and they have no idea who ABC is.
Back out on the street, on the phone to ABC. We are not right next to the bank; we are four buildings to the left. I say, that sign says DEF car rental. Yes, we changed our name three months ago. But my confirmation from 1 week ago has the old name. Anyway, more than an hour later, I was on my way.
Are these the only “Stuff” stories? Hardly.
Thank goodness, I am always learning not to be the ugly American. It does not achieve anything positive. There is nothing that hurts me more than when someone in a foreign country cannot believe I am American. Why? Because I am not nasty like the ones they have met.
Extended travel is tiring, and I do get testy from time to time. I try to see it from both sides and not ruin my, or anyone else’s day. I guess because I have been on the receiving end more than once.
So, Stuff Happens.
When you go to non-tourist destinations, be ready for the unexpected. For non-tourist things to happen.
After 30 plus years, traveling is not easy for me. Things go wrong even with planning and reconfirming.
Don’t hate it. Things happen. And the more stuff that happens, the better cocktail stories you will have later.
“See Hydra” Continued on Page T8 “Italian Wine ” Continued on T14