March 19, 2013

The time I was forced to spend a night in New Jersey

Well, I finally made it to Buenos Aires! However, before getting there, I was forced to make a slight detour to New Jersey. To make a long story short, I missed my connection flight to BsAs from New Jersey because my flight from Montreal was delayed due to mechanical problems. Facing this adversity, I made the choice to keep a positive attitude. After all, they were doing all they could to fix the problem ASAP. What use would it have been to stress over something I had no control over? And I guess part of the reason for this attitude was this quote I read a few days prior:

'Greatness is best measured by how well an individual responds to the happenings in life that appear to be totally unfair, unreasonable, and undeserved.' ― Marvin J. Ashton

It was unfair because I was the only one on the plane who had an early connecting flight.
It was unreasonable because don't they thoroughly check the planes before they can be used? How could this happened?
It was undeserved because I have been preparing for this trip for so long, and did everything I was supposed to, and this still happened.  

But in the end, those negative thoughts were thrown out and replaced by positive ones: I was given a voucher for a hotel and food (breakfast, lunch dinner) and I was booked for the next flight to BsAs. It's all well that ends well! Bonus points: the plane to Argentina was not completely booked, so I had two seats to myself and more legroom!
And now, I am happily enjoying the last few days of Argentine summer! :)

What was your worst travelling experience? How did you deal?

March 13, 2013

So it begins...

Well, actually it started quite some time ago. I think sometime in the 90', when I went to Orlando, Florida. Or maybe it was in 2008, while I was in China. It's hard to tell, really. All I know is that, for as long as I can remember, I have been dreaming about those places near and far, and told myself that one day I will make it to those places. While I was able to cross out the top of my list (Barcelona, San Francisco, Beirut), I noticed that more locations have been added. I guess this is what catching the travel bug is all about! Well, luckily for that bug, I am just a few days away from the beginning of my next adventure! A cocktail of emotion has been stirring inside of me, ranging from utter excitement to sheer disbelief, and I don't have a specific plan upon landing, which is kind of scary for a planner like me, but this is what traveling is all about, no? Stepping out of the comfort zone,constantly being confronted with new everything. As much as I am nervous about this uncertainty, I am also ready to face it, head on! And most importantly, I am ready enjoy every second of it.
Let the travel shenanigans begin!

Which way to go? At the top of  a mountain on a foggy day, Lebanon.
How do you feel the days before a trip and how do you deal? C'mon, tell me! :)