While I have many Buddhist tendencies (supported, in fact, by legions of therapists who work with eating disorders) I do not believe in karma. It's nice to think that my roommate might return as the same turd that overpowers the sweet smell of my morning oatmeal, but it's simply one spiritual idea that I cannot grasp. Many people choose to believe in those things that bring them the greatest sense of hope and satisfaction. Thinking that I may come back as a roach is much less incentive to do good than seeing the smile on someone's face. Anyway, roaches don't think- how would I even know that I was being punished? Also, roaches don't have to apply for jobs. That's a counter-incentive I don't need polluting my life.
Nevertheless, my inklings toward belief in travel karma were expounded on my recent vacation. I consider myself to be a "good" traveler: I'll take any seat and am willing to stand; I enjoy public transportation; I don't expect to sleep but sometimes can; I give myself plenty of time and stay flexible with my options; I enjoy talking to fellow travelers; and I assume that something will go wrong and therefore do not freak out when it happens. All important things happen in 3s, so it's no surprise that I had three major demonstrations of travel karma during this trip. You may become a believer as well...
1.) Obviously, the airport sprint of my previous post. I'm never late for flights or cut in line. But, at the point of total desperation the seas parted for me like Moses in a storm. How blessed was that?
2.) My friend and I took the bus from Washington D.C. to New York. An hour into the four-hour bus ride the bus mysteriously broke down. Our insane bus driver (who had spent the first five minutes yelling at a customer) jumped off and started muttering things about "computers" and acting exceedingly exasperated. He would re-start the bus and then it would break down and we'd stop again. At every stop he'd mutter and jump out. I did my best to educate the rest of the bus on what was happening, as we were sitting directly in the front and could hear his mutterings. This turned into the "One-Man Emily Stand Up Show" and I felt the trip worthwhile simply because I could entertain the crowd. A little laughter helped (at me or with me, I don't care). I calmed my friend the whole time, telling her to wait and let others take the recovery buses before us; we had nowhere to be and it was fun to sit and chat. Eventually we made it home, relaxed and in one piece.
The next day our tickets were completely refunded for bad service. What do you get when you stay flexible, calm and accepting? Free stuff, my friends.
3.) I was supposed to arrive in Denver on Wednesday evening; my flight was canceled due to rain. Bored and ready to go, I got to the airport two hours early on Thursday, only to find that my flight was indefinitely delayed and I would probably miss my connection. So I surveyed my options and ended up taking two buses to get to Newark where I had a direct connection. All the typical chaos ensued around me: people cut in the bus lines and yelled at bus drivers; there was traffic; things were late/ early; people were stressed. I bounced through the lines and chilled out, making it Newark with time to spare. I got a call from La Guardia saying that I could have made an earlier flight and didn't need to go to Newark. I shrugged it off like a New York Jew. L'Achim.
In the Newark security line I caught eyes with a well-traveled but perky business man. We started chatting. At the end of security he turned to me and asked if I wanted to go to the "Red Carpet Room" with him. Um, yes please? It turns out that the Red Carpet Room is the hotspot for United Airlines frequent flyers. Well, myself, my new friend, and my cheap Southwest Airlines ticket strolled right into the Red Carpet Room like we owned the place. I made a bee-line for the free snacks, filling my purse and the plastic baggies that I always keep with me (free food should never go to waste) with the dinner that got me through the rest of my trip. My friend informed me that the Red Carpet Room also offers free beer and wine. 1.5 glasses later, I've got my resume in his hands, a glass of wine in mine, little bits of cheese and crackers stuck to my lips, and the best view in the house. I spent one of the most enjoyable airport hours of my life that day and got a hilarious new friend with excellent business credentials out of it. Travel karma, people. Live the dream.
To top it all off, I made friends with the girl next to me on the plane. Turns out, she was recovering from an eating disorder and studying to become a psychiatrist. We had a wonderful conversation and she gave me 1/2 of her sandwich. Shortly before she started drinking cocktails, that is. I woke her before we landed.
So, what have we learned today? Smile at strangers and you get free food. Run through airports but only when absolutely necessary. Always give yourself extra time because it will inevitably turn into too little time. And be open, for in the laws of travel karma, you shall receive.
Next Episode: Wandering Alone.
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