Stress Level: I Might Need To Sit Down!

Where do I begin?! I was picked up by Humerto (friend of Freddy's) this morning for my 11:15AM flight to Santa Marta. Humerto was trying his best to teach me Spanish with the little English he knew. I disappointed him-- I am sure of it! The highlights of the cab ride back to the airport was the many cyclists on the hilly roads and two police guys on motorcycles with rifles held by their side. You don't see THAT everyday! I arrived at the airport and as I got in the check in line, it occurred to me that I was suppose to land at 11:15 not fly at 11:15! My flight was at 10:00AM..it was now 10:11. Oh shit..did I really just do that? Yup!

I made my way to the ticket counter. The woman didn't speak English and I don't speak Spanish so I took out my confirmation to show her the missed flight. She gave me a look of sympathy and I nodded. She started clicking away on her computer then she walks me to check in counter #1. Speaks to the lady at #1 then walks me to #3. I was to wait at #3 but the guy at #4 summons me to go to him. I showed him my missed confirmation, he speaks to another guy and the only word I recognized was "Bogota".. I had looked to see that all direct flights were full according to my phone but I was hoping magic would be made. When I headr the word Bogota, I was at stress level: I may have to have a seat. All types of scenarios went through my head: I'd have to decide where to stay, I would have to let my hostel in Santa Marta know, I'd have to shift some excursions, etc. The guys at #4 were done talking and he told me to go back to the ticket counter, I left my luggage with him (which probably wasn't the smartest) and went back to the ticket counter. The initial lady saw me and asked if I was taken care of and I signaled they wanted me to go here so she walked me back to lady#1 who had a lengthy conversation with guy at #4, all the while I am thinking about how much I don't want to detour to Bogota. Guy #4 signals for me again, he swiped my passport (good sign), initial lady nods and smiles at me, I thanked her, guy #4 wrote me a note to go back to the ticket counter to pay a change fee of $25 US..then back to #4 I go with my paid receipt. Within seconds, he hands my new ticket, direct on the next flight to Santa Marta!! They already put my bag through when I went to pay. I was SO relieved and grateful at the same time! I guess I couldn't have found a better group of people to help with a missed flight in a foreign country where the language I do not speak (I really should have paid more attention during my 3 years of high school Spanish). All I did was follow the leader holding my pathetic missed flight confirmation. 

Boy did I cash in some karma points for that one! Shout out to the nice man at the gate who let me use his phone to call my airport shuttle to tell them of the switch. 1:31PM landed at Santa Marta airport with Juan Carlos holding a sign with my name on it!

The things I get to practice while I'm traveling abroad: patience, problem solving and staying calm...zen!

Back on track...much gratitude to the folks at Avianca! I have a feeling this would have been MUCH more painful if it happened back home in the US..ironically.

Headed to Cabo de la Vela tomorrow then to Parque Tayrona then to the jungle hills for a few days! Also thanks to the two fellow Canadian travelers I met at the Magic Tours office who helped translate some logistics! Those two guys are off to do the 4 day Ciudad Perdida trip. I am SO glad I opted out of that. Mosquitos have too much love for me.