I got up at 5:30am this morning. My yellow backpack I borrowed from a friend looked at me in anticipation of its first adventure.
I had packed it in under 10 minutes the night before – such is my knowledge and experience of packing thousands of times in my life. That and I don’t own much stuff to put in it.
The pre-booked `regreso’ (private car) arrived a few minutes early. I slugged back some coffee, ate one more spoonful of oatmeal and fruit and headed downstairs.
It was a refreshing morning, and even on 3 hours sleep I was looking forward to the 3 hour flight to El Calafete in Patagonia, one of the most beautiful areas of Argentina and Chile.
I was happy and relaxed with the knowledge that I could get some work done on the plane, read a little and have some shut eye. Then once I was settled in at the hostel my sister had booked overlooking the lake, we’d head off for an afternoon trip to the glacier. Perfect.
Except it wasn’t.
I had made a very rare mistake as a well traveled suitcase entrepreneur.
Twenty minutes in to the taxi ride I had this instinctual need to check my schedule again. I turned to my friend who was accompanying me to the airport and said:
Me: “Today is the 10th February right?”
Friend: “Si, porque”
Me: “Damn. I have a feeling my flight is actually tomorrow, the 11th”.
I pulled out my schedule to check and confirmed my error – one that’s easy to make but just as easy to avoid. It’s moments like these as a traveler that you just have to laugh. Which I did.
I made the decision to head to Ezeiza airport anyway on the off chance there’d be a spare seat on today’s flight at the same time.
Turns out there were none all day.
Delaying your trip due to a mistake like mine or reasons beyond your control like bad weather is one of the most frustrating things that can happen as a traveler. When you’re embarking on your journey, you just want to reach your destination.
It’s because you’re not only packed and ready to go, but you have also already mentally checked in.
Returning to town, the driver added on additional toll costs and some random 30 peso charge so it came to 220 pesos (around US $55). It seems pre-arranged prices don’t apply in Argentina.
To give you an idea, that amount of money could buy me several meals out and groceries in a week!
What can you learn from my $55 mistake and 2.5 hour detour?
Be Grateful
There’s always a reason that things happen as they do. Sometimes it’s not all about planning, scheduling, reminders and fancy preparation tools. It’s about the journey and life’s rich tapestry of experiences. Despite being a costly mistake, I like to look on the bright side as in reality there’s no other option.
I now get to the spend the day in my friend’s hometown, with delicious pastries, two parrots and a dog I like to call Cosi Fan Tutte (a famous opera from Mozart which sounds kind of like the dogs real name). I get to go exercise in the local park, get important work done and apparently have lunch with my friend’s family who only speak Spanish.
Travel Bonus:
I now know there’s a fancy airport bus that gets me there in an hour for $40 pesos. Had I not made this trip today, I would not have necessarily researched that option.
Plus, I got to watch the end of a documentary while eating my pastry about the very glacier I was meant to visit today. It’s completely out of this world and spectacular. Can’t wait for tomorrow now.
Be Mindful
One thing I’ve noticed living in different countries is that things aren’t always going to be peachy. I get many comments and emails from my community telling me what a lovely life I lead and how lucky I am. I admit it, this is a great life. But being a suitcase entrepreneur can be a true test of your patience and ability to constantly adapt.
When you move to a new country, don’t underestimate the time it will take to adjust to your new surroundings, culture, language and customs. This may seem obvious, but you may not notice it taking its toll on you mentally and physically until you have a day where you lose patience. Things just don’t go right, communications break down, services fails, and what should be straight forward becomes increasingly complex. Acknowledge this is not the universe conspiring against you – this is part and parcel of suitcase entrepreneurship.
Travel Bonus:
When you first land in a new country, schedule in 1-2 weeks grace period from your business to ensure you can set up the appropriate systems, know your local services and feel settled. Don’t try launching a new product that requires recording international Skype video calls – just sayin’!
Be a Local
Where ever I go, I like to fit in. Yet I’ve struggled with this in Buenos Aires more so than in many other countries I’ve been to. I see way too many expats here only speaking English and avoiding any semblance of immersion into the Argentinian culture. This annoys me beyond belief. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. That said, I can see why it’s all too easy not to work at fitting in. It’s really hard to learn a new language and its local idiosyncrasies.
Plus, you get caught out as a tourist, and it’s frustrating. Taxis take you on extra long routes, pickpockets target you on the subway, restaurants charge more, people dismiss you as an ignoramus because you can’t say what you want. But the joys of persevering are many.
You understand 40% of a rapid conversation. You ask directions that are understood and even better comprehend the answer (bursting with joy at this success). You can walk into any shop and make yourself understood. You learn more about the locals. You are accepted. You gain confidence. You push your own boundaries and grow as a person.
Here’s a very short video I shot on Sunday when highly frustrated with my Spanish progress:
Travel Bonus:
I recently bought Fluent in 3 Months (see my Travel Tools page) from Benny the Irish Polygot because I’m determined to be close to fluent in Spanish before I leave. They key lesson I learned from Benny is that you have to just get out there and speak and practice on anyone and everything. Do not be shy, don’t be ashamed, just do it. I remember this on days when I feel I’m getting nowhere.
I smile and throw out my poorly formed but no less comprehensible phrase with pride.
Share your best travel mistake below and the lesson you learned from it!
If you’re looking for more travel tips, you’re going to love 13 Travel and Life Lessons Learned While Gallivanting Around the World.
Still looking for more travel lessons? Read 6 Business Travel Tips I Learned Leaving Buenos Aires.