The international side of an airport has always been my favourite – it means you’re going somewhere fun! Sometimes I stroll through and pretend I’m getting on a big plane for an exotic vacation. The excitement of a new city or country continues to entice me and seems to wipe out my memory of economy travel, but today I had a ticket and I was getting on the plane.
I had three flights to reach my final destination of Split, Croatia – a 40 minute layover in Calgary and 60 minutes in Frankfurt. I knew these were going to be tight connections but felt confident….until my first flight departed 30 minutes late! Yikes – now I only had ten minutes to make my connection!
I was anxious but then remembered – I had no where I had to be! I had no responsibilities (no keys, remember?) It made no difference if I caught this flight or the next one, if I arrived today or tomorrow, I was completely in charge of my own schedule!
And would you believe there were 20 people on my flight trying to make the same connection?! Seriously, 20 people were traveling from Kelowna through Calgary to Frankfurt! I didn’t know anyone but suddenly felt part of something bigger.
We were greeted at the gate and whisked along by a lovely lady (who walked extremely fast!) and delivered to our next gate, where they had held the plane.
I snuggled into my window seat and settled in for the nine hour flight. Normally I would pull out a book or start browsing the movie selections but instead I heard myself say “Hi, I’m Michelle – what’s your name?”
Turns out, I was sitting beside the two coolest people on the plane! A sweet 20-something girl who had been in Canada as an intern and was now returning home to Frankfurt and a hilarious civil engineer guy from Jordan who was heading to a friend’s wedding. We laughed and joked and shared travel stories – so much more fun than watching a movie!
As luck would have it, we were arriving behind schedule and my 60 minute layover quickly dwindled down to 20 minutes. If you’ve ever traveled through Frankfurt, you know 20 minutes won’t get you very far in one of the busiest airports in the world.
As I deplaned, the staff told me I could try to make my flight but they had already booked me on the next flight – six hours later. I decided to go for it!
I felt like a mouse chasing the cheese through a maze and imagined I appeared as a tiny red dot on someone’s computer, tracking my movements and taking bets if I’d get there.
Corner, hallway, down the escalator, corner, hallway, another long corridor, another escalator, around the shops, down another hallway, through a security screening, down another hallway…it never ended!
Finally I arrived at Gate B27, five minutes before my flight was scheduled to depart and it was empty.
My heart sank.
As I got closer, a man appeared and said “ah ha – you must be my Canadian girl!”
Yes, I am – they waited for me!
Scrambling to find my boarding pass, sweating from the ten mile hike across the airport and seriously sleep deprived after the nine hour flight, he told me to take a minute – everything was just fine.
What a wonderful reminder to be present.
In the middle of one of the largest airports in the world, while holding a plane for one Canadian girl, we could take a deep breath and wait a minute.
As I walked down the ramp to the plane, the flight crew greeted me with a smile and handed me a glass of water. I found my seat and we were off.
We landed in Split and and to my wonderful surprise, there was a large group of fellow Remote Year travellers (“remotes” as we now say!) I had found my family.
But what I didn’t find was my luggage. Although I made the connection in Frankfurt, my bag had not.
Not to worry, they will fly it to Zagreb tonight, down to Split tomorrow and deliver it to my apartment.
All part of the adventure, right?!
Michelle your writing has been awesome. I have read your first two entries in awe of your ability. I worked in the same office as you, albeit a different department, and I never imagined the writing skills you had/have. My failure. I chuckled as I read about your tight flight connections because we have been there as well.
I can hardly wait until your next entry. Enjoy Croatia-Europe’s Hidden Treasure
Wow Vic, thank you so much for your comments and encouragement! It means so much to me, as I’m new to blogging and you never know if anyone wants to read what you have to say (plus it’s scary to be vulnerable and publicly share your thoughts!) Thanks again…I’ll keep writing as my journey unfolds!
Wow, I got tired just reading this!
I am also enjoying your blog. Stumbled across your adventure in the Kelowna newspaper insert, decided to check your story out. I am thoroughly enjoying your writing and am so excited to see a new post. You write with such sincerity, thought and a touch of humour. I love your revelations too. Have an incredible year, thank you for sharing your adventure.
Thanks so much, Kate! I really appreciate your support 🙂
I loved the part about imagining yourself like a mouse in a maze with a bunch of bookies taking bets on you. haha made my day
love Mom
Such fun, Michelle! I look forward to taking this journey alongside you and your fellow remotes! Thinking only good things for you! love Kelly
Thanks Kelly! I’m so happy we got to connect before this adventure. And thanks for your encouraging words!
What an amazing race to start your adventure. Good work – loved your story. I can imagine you laughing along the way to Frankfurt! Tell me, will your blogs always show up on Facebook or should I enter my email address to be sure I can get every blog. Bonny xo
Thanks Bonny! Yes, there’s been plenty of laughter along this journey already – and much more to come I’m sure! I’m new to blogging so probably best to add your email address to my list – then you’ll be sure to get all the updates! 🙂
Michelle, I will echo Vic’s comments above. We worked meters away from each other for years, in quite different departments, but clearly had no idea how skilled you are revealing your thoughts and experiences in written word. I have read your blog entries with great delight, and look forward to your future entries. They are enticing, provocative and revealing….the foundation of a great novel. I look forward to your future entries with baited breath and with each entry, I am experiencing your adventures vicariously through your words. Till the next entry…..good luck and experience everything you can…..then tell us all about it!
Wow Yvonne – thank you! You have no idea how much your words mean to me, truly, thank you. I was nervous starting out but receiving positive feedback like this lifts my spirits and encourages me to keep going! Okay, stay tuned for the next update… 🙂
I’m really enjoying your blog posts and feeling like I’m experiencing the adventure with you. Thank you for sharing and please don’t spare the details as your travels unfold. There is much to learn for all of us.
Thanks Andra, I’m glad you’re enjoying! I’m never sure how much detail to include so thanks for the encouragement – I’ll keep sharing!
Michelle, loving your blog. We feel we are right there with you. So exciting for you. I am of the belief that travel is one of the best educational events of ones life,in which case your education is just nicely underway. We are certain you will enjoy everything about Croatia