I Am Grateful

Arriving in Seattle at 6 AM after a restful sleep, albeit sitting up, I manage to get to the international terminal and easily finding S-16 gate, Emirates flight 0228 to Dubai. Checking in with my carry-on bag that now must be checked through because the weight allowance has dropped to 20 pounds for safety reasons. Freed of the bag that I was reluctant to check all the way to Delhi, I have no choice but to send it through. I can now move with ease toting only a leather satchel, a camera bag and my computer—two of which must be combined to board the international flight that allows only two carry-ons. 

I produce my Indian visa, my passport and get my boarding pass. Looking down at the seat assignment it was not surprising to see seat #44. The number 4 and multiples of 4 have always been my lucky number. I see them everywhere and have actually incorporated variations into my art. Another positive affirmation from the Universe, that yes, I am on the path—a path especially selected for me in this life. A warm fuzzy feeling embraces me as I realize just how blessed I am to have this opportunity. 

I board the plane, find my seat, plug-in the Mac and iPhone and settle back for the 14-hour flight to another world. The overhead music ‘leaving on a jet plane’ takes me briefly back to the 70’s, another lifetime ago. Emirates is a comfortable airline, some would say luxurious—the ones that can afford the first class pods where a shower and bed are available. Economy class for this girl, but still a good meal of spicy dal with mushrooms and cashews, raspberry cheesecake, complimentary wine, a blanket and pillow, and two seats to stretch out for the big sleep across the pond. Perfect! Having short legs sometimes has some advantages. 

Feeling mucho gratitude for this amazing journey!

 

Practicing Patience, On A Few Dollars Less

And so it was. . . a blonde with a chronic wanderlust spirit was leaving normal for an incredible month-long yoga adventure in India. A flight was booked out of Homer to connect with an Alaska flight to Seattle, and an early morning Emirates connection to Dubai and then another to Delhi. Total flight time approximately 22 hours. Arriving at 8:30 PM, 14.5 hours ahead of Alaska time, an overnight stay at the Sapphire Hotel in Delhi with an airport pick-up was arranged. The following morning a taxi would arrive at 6 AM for a lengthy 7-hour car ride to the Ashram in Rishikesh—a village at the base of the Himalayas near the mighty Ganges. 

Brody, Guinness, RockDog, DoDog, Bunny & AnnBanan

Weather in Alaska can be a little iffy this time of year with fog, winds and freezing rain. Multiple calls were made to the outgoing Homer airline to check on flight status—an assurance that all systems were set to GO! Saying goodbye to my roommates is always the hardest. Five cocker spaniels and a basset hound look up mournfully as the suitcase closes and they know I’m leaving, alone. 

Arriving at the Homer Airport a woman is standing out front, shaking her head as she catches my eye through the car window. The taxi pulls up and I unload my small bag, camera and leather satchel only to be confronted with the news—all flights are canceled. I hear the words coming from her lips in disbelief. “But, but, but I called and they said,”. . . Knowing this is the last flight out of my town for the night, I obviously will miss my connecting flights around the world. Sure enough the agent confirms because of runway ice, all flights are canceled. The mind says: everything is as it should be at this moment in time, while the body takes in a long inhale followed by an even longer exhale. Back to my nest, back to normal, back to my sweet, cuddly dogs and the security of my bed—to begin the rebooking process with a glass of cabernet in hand.

A challenge, at best—first call was to Alaska Airlines, the originating leg of the international journey. Apparently Emirates had control of the ticket since it had been booked online with a travel agency. Alaska advised me to call the agency. In doing so it was quickly noted that since the flight from Homer was booked as a separate ticket, they would not recognize the weather delay. I would have to pay to rebook the flight for the next evening. Oh and by the way, there are no seats available on the flight tomorrow or the next day, said the less-than-helpful ticket agent. I have one extra day built into the itinerary to get to Rishikesh before the yoga training begins. I cannot be late, so if I am unable to get the next flight tomorrow evening all bets are off. The entire adventure will have to be cancelled. Distraught and getting little assistance from the ticket agent, I called Emirates direct. 

Again because this flight was booked online, Emirates could only tell me there was indeed available seats on the flight for the next night, but I had to book it through the original agency. They were not authorized to do so. Time was a factor because the current flight had to be canceled and rebooked before the plane departed, otherwise. . . well, I would lose the ticket and the dollars already invested. Back to the travel agency. . .

This time a helpful young man at the travel agency booked the exact same flight for the following evening. . . for $580. Oh well, it’s only money and what’s a girl to do? Suck it up and get out the credit card. Determined to arrive in Anchorage to make this flight, whether it be by plane, boat, car or horse, one way or another I would be there. Weather remained iffy the following morning and the first flight was canceled out of Homer; followed closely by the second one being delayed. Rather than wait around for the evening flight—a risk I could not afford to take—my  flight was rebooked for late afternoon. . . meaning? A 9-hour wait in Anchorage prior to the 22-hour international journey. 

There were times during the wait in Anchorage that all I wanted to do was go home, crawl back under the covers of my comfy bed with all six doggies around me. It became a fantasy during the late night wait. But, in reality that was not an option. I needed to push myself outside that comfort zone, jump off that cliff where I intuitively know a safety net is waiting to catch me. I want to be here, there and everywhere, at once; experiencing it all. To embrace other cultures, other ways of thinking, seeing, feeling, tasting, hearing, smelling, always fills my soul with wonder—opening up new horizons; forcing me to grow beyond who I am today. Travel reminds me that we are all so different, yet somehow still the same; we are Energy moving together as one in the Universe. Spiritual growth excites yet intimidates me, taking me out of the routine I know best into uncharted territory. Feeling fear and exhilaration venturing out into the unknown, alone. This experience is something I have to do for my body, mind and spirit. This much I know to be true.

Flight 82 to Seattle left at 1:50 AM and as soon as lights went out and we were moving down the runway, this girl passed out on a packed flight with an aisle seat. The journey has finally begun . . . with only a few dollars less.  Namasté

“Life is an open book. Those who don’t travel read only one page.” 

—unknown