After Amtrak canceled our train, I was stranded in the San Fransisco airport looking for a way home (read about that here). This wouldn’t be A Couple New Things if I didn’t do something a little bit outrageous. Long story short, without any plans or booked hotels, I ended up with a one-way ticket to Maui.
I am a planner. Going places or doing things without a plan feels unnatural to me. After booking a last-minute flight to Seattle, I had no idea I would be venturing into a random unknown adventure that people typically plan well in advance. Sure, it was weird heading into the unknown, but there was something about the spontaneity that was exhilarating.
Only 90-minutes from takeoff, I booked a flight to Maui and headed straight to the terminal departure would be from. Because of the unknown, I had packed for any potential adventure keeping in mind I may need to have carryon versus checked bags. This worked out because I could go straight to the security line instead of checking in at the counter (which as horrendous looking). I made it to the gate shortly before boarding where I began searching for overnight accommodations.
Keep in mind, Hawaii was not on my list of things to do this trip. There were no plans. I didn’t know a single thing about Hawaii except, according to Disney, surfing is a big deal and aliens landed here and became friends with a child named Lilo. While I was on the plane awaiting pushback and takeoff, I found a boutique hotel who posted their listing on Airbnb. It was on super sale so I booked it. Shortly after booking we were wheels up headed across the Pacific.
How exhilarating those few hours were! From leaving a train, getting stranded in an airport, to booking a Hawaii-bound flight, to going wheels up and actually taking the flight, it was insane. Again, I’m a planner. This was weird. This, at the same time, was awesome! Would I book a last-minute flight to Hawaii again? Probably not. The prices would have to be good, but if they were. . . I wouldn’t be opposed. Doing something like this was all a part of the journey God had me on. I would not have been able to do this if I wasn’t debt free and in a good financial position. God’s been looking out.
Just wait until you hear what happens next.
Signing off from United 1749.
A Couple New Things 