Traveling is very difficult for me, having too many chronic illnesses, but I love hearing your adventures. THIS one had me a bit anxious though as I read through. My brother travels for business and is on a plane several times a week. Listening to his travel woes makes me less envious of those of you who can travel. It’s still fun to read about your trips.
This made me laugh several times. I’m sorry about your misadventure but can you imagine if it never happened? It makes life interesting and makes for great writing!
I tried to stay calm in a circumstance that had me feeling helpless and very triggered. I was catastrophizing but it really didn’t turn out so bad after all. I kept saying this will make a great story someday. It came soon enough!
OMG Ilo! This story is Hilarious...mostly because I know it's 100% truth! I can just hear you& Laz telling all about it now. I'm so sorry that you never made it to the Blue Zone of Ikaria, as I know how much you were looking forward to it. Next time perhaps? Pray for Calm Seas, Smooth Sailing!👍🥰⛵️
Yes, when we were recanting our tale to our friend who now owns and maintains her former parent's home on Ikaria, she said we have to go with her next time just to make sure we get there. So that's something to look forward to!
Wait, questioning your marriage? I resemble that remark! It provided a good story anyway. And there's nobody that I would rather be stuck there with. Alls well that ends well.
Wow, Ilona, what a crazy experience. I don't think I would have enjoyed this. A few years ago we went down the California coast to join some friends. We hadn't originally planned to go, so the rooms in their hotel were full. We stayed with another couple across the street in a hotel that was barely tolerable. I didn't even want to touch the towels. Ugh. Love your story telling, a fun read.
You would not have enjoyed that hotel room. I've only stayed at one worse (yes, worse) and that one was somewhere in the middle of Pennsylvania. Now that we're home, the experience can morph into a funny story, even though I still have a sense of dread as I re-tell it.
We sound like we've had similar experiences. I only had one other terrible hotel stay in New York. I felt truly unsafe, and just waited for the morning to come. Awful. Learned a good lesson from that night. How fortunate we are to only have a few terrible stories to tell among all the nice ones.
Oh my gosh, this is a wild adventure! I'm happy you're home and able to look back at it with your grace and humor. And just as I was thinking I was ready to travel out of the country again, maybe not quite yet. I need to build up my anything can happen reserves.
Most of the time, things go semi-smoothly. The airlines are the usual source of travel angst. You need an endless supply of patience to travel nowadays.I would wait until the government shut down ends, at least. I don't like the thought of our air traffic controllers being burnt out and stressed while I'm up in the air.
A friend wants me to go to the Greek islands with her next late spring. I'm torn. I felt for the last 20 years that I only needed one more trip to the Greek islands. Reading this confirms I'm happy enough to feel blessed in my previous two experiences. 1980. 2000. Love your honesty and tying together your deep inner thought processes and feelings when dealing with reality being thrust upon us.
The Greek islands are worth it, Lisa! I hope you go. Don't let this story discourage you. This comedy of errors happened because of our own stupidity, and you're way smarter than us.
Oh, I know how worth it they are... I also know, to the Greeks, "It's no problem." I know that the wind can cause all kinds of trip delays and the wind in the Greek islands is not predictable. In 1980 and 2000 I didn't have the kind of freedom, comfort, and solitude I have now which I hold sacrosanct. Not because I have money, but because my time and energy is mine whereas for decades, it was not. Just being out for three hours running errands, and I feel ecstatic when I return. The idea of days and days (out there) of waiting doesn't sound delightful. I remember how much I missed our music when in the islands. Last month I was watching a bunch of YouTubes about the Greek islands and I had again that same feeling of missing our music and I'm still here at home! I know how holy they are and those people are as well!
I don't know that we should be admired, Niki! We had very few choices, so we made lemonade. At least the air traffic controllers were still being paid. I'm glad we didn't have to fly during this shutdown.
I was a little bit sad to read that this story has dissuaded you from traveling. This all boils down to me and my husband being stupid and missing our stop. You're so much smarter than the sum of us, Bill!
I was not dissuaded. That was where I was already. I was being snarky about my wife. Truth? The Big reason we don't travel as much right now is caregiving our elderly dog. We are hand feeding her and coddling her. She's given us so much...gonna stick close by as long as we can.
And forgive yourself :) A smart boss once said to me: "Bill, if you aren't making mistakes, you aren't doing enough."
Wow, my quads are really feeling this story, and I have to say my anxiety was a bit triggered (I've seen too many Jordan Peele movies). Glad you survived with your sense of humor intact!
Traveling is very difficult for me, having too many chronic illnesses, but I love hearing your adventures. THIS one had me a bit anxious though as I read through. My brother travels for business and is on a plane several times a week. Listening to his travel woes makes me less envious of those of you who can travel. It’s still fun to read about your trips.
Most of the trip was great, so I *try* to focus on the good. Plus now I have a good story to share!
That certainly is a good story!
certainly a comedy of errors! and yes, Travel IS an adventure!
I didn't mean to almost steal your Substack title, girl.
This made me laugh several times. I’m sorry about your misadventure but can you imagine if it never happened? It makes life interesting and makes for great writing!
I tried to stay calm in a circumstance that had me feeling helpless and very triggered. I was catastrophizing but it really didn’t turn out so bad after all. I kept saying this will make a great story someday. It came soon enough!
OMG Ilo! This story is Hilarious...mostly because I know it's 100% truth! I can just hear you& Laz telling all about it now. I'm so sorry that you never made it to the Blue Zone of Ikaria, as I know how much you were looking forward to it. Next time perhaps? Pray for Calm Seas, Smooth Sailing!👍🥰⛵️
Yes, when we were recanting our tale to our friend who now owns and maintains her former parent's home on Ikaria, she said we have to go with her next time just to make sure we get there. So that's something to look forward to!
Wait, questioning your marriage? I resemble that remark! It provided a good story anyway. And there's nobody that I would rather be stuck there with. Alls well that ends well.
You're my favorite travel partner, even so, you're still second best 🤣
Great fun to read both of these travel pieces, Ilona! Love seeing your humorous side!
Thanks, Kirie. It's only humorous because I'm safe and sound in my home. As these things go, it certainly wasn't funny at the time.
Wow, Ilona, what a crazy experience. I don't think I would have enjoyed this. A few years ago we went down the California coast to join some friends. We hadn't originally planned to go, so the rooms in their hotel were full. We stayed with another couple across the street in a hotel that was barely tolerable. I didn't even want to touch the towels. Ugh. Love your story telling, a fun read.
You would not have enjoyed that hotel room. I've only stayed at one worse (yes, worse) and that one was somewhere in the middle of Pennsylvania. Now that we're home, the experience can morph into a funny story, even though I still have a sense of dread as I re-tell it.
We sound like we've had similar experiences. I only had one other terrible hotel stay in New York. I felt truly unsafe, and just waited for the morning to come. Awful. Learned a good lesson from that night. How fortunate we are to only have a few terrible stories to tell among all the nice ones.
Oh my gosh, this is a wild adventure! I'm happy you're home and able to look back at it with your grace and humor. And just as I was thinking I was ready to travel out of the country again, maybe not quite yet. I need to build up my anything can happen reserves.
Most of the time, things go semi-smoothly. The airlines are the usual source of travel angst. You need an endless supply of patience to travel nowadays.I would wait until the government shut down ends, at least. I don't like the thought of our air traffic controllers being burnt out and stressed while I'm up in the air.
Yes! That's such a good point. My heart hurts for all those working so hard, getting burnt out, and trying to live their lives with grace.
What a story! Glad you survived and made it home to tell the tale!
I thought your airline story coming to Zakynthos was pretty awful, Kristy. It seems traveling is pretty dicey nowadays no matter where you go.
A friend wants me to go to the Greek islands with her next late spring. I'm torn. I felt for the last 20 years that I only needed one more trip to the Greek islands. Reading this confirms I'm happy enough to feel blessed in my previous two experiences. 1980. 2000. Love your honesty and tying together your deep inner thought processes and feelings when dealing with reality being thrust upon us.
The Greek islands are worth it, Lisa! I hope you go. Don't let this story discourage you. This comedy of errors happened because of our own stupidity, and you're way smarter than us.
Oh, I know how worth it they are... I also know, to the Greeks, "It's no problem." I know that the wind can cause all kinds of trip delays and the wind in the Greek islands is not predictable. In 1980 and 2000 I didn't have the kind of freedom, comfort, and solitude I have now which I hold sacrosanct. Not because I have money, but because my time and energy is mine whereas for decades, it was not. Just being out for three hours running errands, and I feel ecstatic when I return. The idea of days and days (out there) of waiting doesn't sound delightful. I remember how much I missed our music when in the islands. Last month I was watching a bunch of YouTubes about the Greek islands and I had again that same feeling of missing our music and I'm still here at home! I know how holy they are and those people are as well!
These are charming stories, Ilona. I love the humor in them.
I'm glad you enjoyed our travel foibles. It's easy to laugh at it now, but when it was happening, it was awful.
Yes, I get that. It's amazing you can write in a lighthearted way about them.
Travel feels less reliable now than 100 years ago, there are so many more systems to break down and I admire how you and Larry handled this.
I don't know that we should be admired, Niki! We had very few choices, so we made lemonade. At least the air traffic controllers were still being paid. I'm glad we didn't have to fly during this shutdown.
Oy. My wife regularly tries to convince me to travel more. I will share this with her. Problem solved!
There was a time when the planes, ferries and terrifying cab rides were an adventure. Now, for me, they are an irritant that can be avoided.
To each his own. I now enjoy exploring the possibilities in the kitchen, the garden and a good book.
signed,
The boring but very content husband.
PS:
Please continue to share. Vicarious travel is fun and a bargain. :)
I was a little bit sad to read that this story has dissuaded you from traveling. This all boils down to me and my husband being stupid and missing our stop. You're so much smarter than the sum of us, Bill!
I was not dissuaded. That was where I was already. I was being snarky about my wife. Truth? The Big reason we don't travel as much right now is caregiving our elderly dog. We are hand feeding her and coddling her. She's given us so much...gonna stick close by as long as we can.
And forgive yourself :) A smart boss once said to me: "Bill, if you aren't making mistakes, you aren't doing enough."
Now that is some memory-building! And a bit nightmare-ish in a “you can check out any time you want, but you can never leave” kind of way.
That song lyric is spot on! Thanks for sharing it because that is exactly how we felt.
Wow, my quads are really feeling this story, and I have to say my anxiety was a bit triggered (I've seen too many Jordan Peele movies). Glad you survived with your sense of humor intact!
That hotel room would have been perfect for a horror film. That was the worst of the worst, and I'm glad I never have to sleep there again!
Remind me to tell you about an overnight ferry on the Baltic Sea.
Oh my goodness. If you were writing fiction, your story would be hard to believe. Dang!
Truth is stranger than fiction, am I right? It's hard to believe all these comedic errors happened, but they certainly did.