Canceled and delayed flights turn into a delight

My flight(s) en route to Puerto Rico were not without a few challenges.  After sitting on the plane at the gate in Seattle for nearly an hour…in a stifling hot cabin, the flight was eventually canceled and we were allowed to disembark. As a seasoned traveler, the first thing I did was get on the phone to try and book a new flight, as the 150 or so passengers lined up at the gate to try and do the same thing. I was supposed to fly from Seattle to Miami, then to San Juan, but found a flight from Seattle to Chicago, then San Juan… it would only get me there a few hours later than my initial flight.  After 30 minutes on the phone I was able to secure one of the last remaining seats.

I was excited that my new flight to Chicago would be leaving in a mere 40 minutes or so…that was until it ended up being delayed by more than two hours.  I spent my time wandering the long corridors of the airport, finally finding a quite place to try and get some shuteye…it was now nearing midnight and my flight would not leave for a couple more hours. Sleeping at an airport is kind of a futile effort as nearly all the seats have those damn armrests that prevent stranded passengers from getting any rest at all.

As I said, I was lucky to nab one of the last remaining seats on the flight, which happened to be a window exit row. I was excited to have the extra room and to try and get a bit of sleep, but destiny had other plans. One of the last passengers on the flight was a very tall individual…7 foot as a matter of fact.  This poor guy had the middle seat next to me and could barely fit into its confines.  We immediately struck up a conversation and really hit it off.  I was no longer interested in sleeping, but rather hearing this guy’s fascinating stories.  I don’t want to be a name dropper, so his name and some details of our conversation will remain private. I will say this…at 7′ tall, it probably comes as no surprise that this guy played basketball.  As a matter of fact, he is a retired NBA player and former Olympian. He is currently a reining champion at a game I was unaware was competitive…but that too will remain undisclosed.  🙂

So, here’s the coolest part…because my plane was canceled…I got to meet a really cool and interesting guy.  And, he invited me to his house next Friday for a party he’s having.  So, the next time life throws you a curve ball…take it in stride and consider there may be a reason or forthcoming opportunity.  🙂

Mike Shubic

Mike Shubic is a seasoned road trip travel video blogger, traversing the byways of the world looking for those hidden gems of the road. From unique destinations, unexpected discoveries, creative cuisine, intriguing inns to exciting attractions…the road is his page. The experiences are his ink. And every 300 miles, a new chapter begins. Whether you live vicariously or by example, Mike will do the exploring so you can have an adventure.
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