When Flying Sucks!

Absolutely nothing beats the excitement and anticipation of traveling. Especially if you live in a temperate country and you’re travelling to a warm destination where temperatures are in the low to mid 30’s (Celsius). How quickly we forget past travel experiences, where most of the day is spent in commute, security lines, delayed flights and that ‘sun’ you crave, hits you like a sauna as soon as you set foot on your supposed personal tropical paradise.

I love travelling, however there are days when absolutely nothing seems to work in your favor… such was the case last week when Tehya and I were heading down to Barbados for the annual Barbados Food And Rum Festival.

Can you relate?

• Late… Traffic on the highway getting to the airport, park and fly bus is slow getting you from where you’re parked (and it’s FREEZING), long lines and no directions at check in (typical Air Canada), long lines at security check and your gate is in another zip code at the airport 
• Plane is completely boarded (except you of-course) and there’s no room for your carry on overhead (especially if it’s a Caribbean flight)
• You’re HUNGRY and you didn’t realize that food isn’t served in-flight. the $15 salad you purchased just before boarding spilled on the floor in your rush and ended up in the garbage. Can someone tell me why a $5 salad costs $15 at the airport?
• Coffee is served but you immediately spill it 
• No traditional onboard entertainment.. you must log in to the airplane intranet-thing and watch movies etc with your phone (btw, they want you to download their app, but don’t provide internet to do so… and we’re blessed in Canada with cheap data costs). However you can RENT an iPad (put a smiley face here?). 
• You’ve got music on your phone but no headphones (yup, in your checked luggage)
• You packed the book you’ve been craving to read, but your glasses are in your checked luggage- hopefully 
• You get the center seat in. 2-3-2 seat alignment
• Or you get an aisle seat and the person next to you continuously needs to use the bathroom
• Person next to you snores louder than you (however I’m up for the challenge)
• Baby! 
• You’re hungry and the person next to you is reveling in the gourmet salad with juicy pieces of chicken, topped with cashews and dried fruit (similar to the one you dropped back at your gate.. but without the fancy toppings)
• Person on the other side of you decide to bring a foul smelling (no disrespect intended) homemade lunch
• You took sleeping aids (over the counter) with the intention of sleeping during the 5 hr flight,  only to remain awake right up until 15 minutes before you land.. you can barely keep your eyes open at that point and customs/immigration thinks you’re on some sort of illicit drug 
• the fact that you’re also carrying along a cold with you and your ears were plugged (painfully) during descent, means you’re now shouting at the agents, since you can’t hear them
• You finally arrive at your destination and it’s a smaller airport with limited staff, but 4 flights just came in at the same time

Such was our flight, however being in Barbados and sampling all the delicious offerings of this year’s Food and Rum Festival quickly reminded us why we started off with eager anticipation and excitement when we started the trek earlier that morning in Toronto.