Robyn's Wanderings

Having a rough time? Sit down. Take a break.

We’ve missed Robyn’s Wanderings and the bloggers that bring us much needed travel inspiration. Luckily Nicola is back and she is bringing us…..a bad day.

We all have them and whether traveling or not, there are ways to overcome these setbacks. What was Nicola’s bad travel experience? Ah well….you will have to read to find out!

Hello once again! Long time no see. Things have been busy, travels replaced by daily life… and to tell the truth, there have been a few hiccups recently.

Bad Day

When you are cheap in life, I must admit, life is cheap to you. Nevertheless, the flaws in the plan are all part of the bigger webs we weave. Undoubtedly, we all claim to have 20/20 vision in hindsight. When it’s all been put into perspective, thought, we have been gifted (or is it cursed?) learning experiences. The worst disasters that we encounter, in life and travels, can make for the best storytelling in years to come.

Cancelled, cancelled, cancelled... what's Plan B?

The following scenarios may bring to mind some of your own meltdowns, misadventures and moments of truth: 

- you locked yourself out of your room, car or apartment
- you lost your bus, subway or train pass
- you discover bed bugs, cockroaches or mice in your hostel, hotel or accommodations
- you walk down the wrong street in a large city, realizing you are the only visible female…
- your bank card declines when you try to buy a flight, train or bus ticket online
- you miss the last train to the airport so you catch a taxi, just to sleep at the airport for your 6am flight
- you discover that your roommate has a gun in the room – real or BB gun, you are none to sure
- your laptop, passport and wallet are stolen on a subway, just days before you join your family for the holidays
- you catch a stomach bug the day before a 14 hour train journey in 35C heat
- _____________ (substitute any & every alternate storyline here)

Alanis Morissette spoke the truth a bit when she gave us Ironic.

But out of all these misfortunes there are memorable travel stories and – if they don’t make you cringe, scowl or burst into tears – maybe (way) further down the road, even laughter! Ridiculous situations are bound to happen to you, whether alone or with others. First, make sure you are safe. Second, deal with it the best way you know how. Third, ask for help.

Ask a stranger to take a photo of you... and you may be giving your camera away!

My first solo catastrophe in European travels is memorable to this day. My first weekend-getaway-turned-catastrophic-pity-party… including being “stuck” in Paris, inclement weather, low-cost airlines, lengthy transit times, lack of communication with my hosts, and mishandling a common (albeit irritating) situation. Anxiety was high, logical thinking was on the back-burner. I tell the twisted tale still, 5 years later, knowing that my reaction to such a situation today would be different.

And India? An interesting tip about travelling in India: Make your Plan B before Plan A. Smart? Yes. Necessary? Yes. Don’t touch India with a 10-foot pole? Don’t be silly! Just be prepared that you can never be (fully) prepared for India.

"And that one time in India, when we were stranded on our camel safari... a bit too close to the Pakistan border..."

Days, weeks, months, or years later, you will recount the stories. “Remember that one time…” and you will continue to embellish or downplay the situation. Journeys can be a slap in the face, but at least you will be wiser for next time. If there is a next time!