Chaos isn't what it seems

At the moment , people around the world are confused and afraid. This is reasonable given that many still don't really understand what COVID 19 is, nor how to really deal with it should they become infected. However, seeking out the opportunities , and there can be many, it is possible amid all of the trauma, fear and anger to find beauty and sometimes opportunity, embedded amid the chaos.

Although COVID is much more serious, I could liken the whole scenario to when I planned my once in a lifetime trip overseas. After rushing to the airport to catch my 4am flight, I was faced with the fact that it has been cancelled . I immediately went into melt-down. I will miss my connecting flight. My tour group will have gone without me by the time I eventually arrive at my intended destination.

After stamping my foot and railing against fate, I was asked to wait, just like everybody else. I was finally loaded onto an adjacent plane just before it commenced its departure routine. As I was an extra, I had to be seated in first class instead of in my economy seat.: a small price to pay for the inconvenience, I think. I devour my first class meal and I retire to my first class bed in my first class pyjamas. A few hours later, my plane touches down in a city that I've always wanted to visit. and I have a six hour wait before the next leg of the journey takes me to where my tour group awaits me. Evidently, I was not the only traveller in the group to be delayed.

Out all of the initial chaos and panic, I was able to enjoy a wonderful flying experience along with six hours to explore my favourite city. All this without additional cost and I caught up with my tour group in time. The anxiety and anger which had promised to spoil my holiday was nothing but a waste of energy. It's a lesson I learnt early in my catalogue of travel experiences.

I have made many a friend sitting at the airport in the early hours of the morning, waiting for a new connecting flight. The realisation that there is little anyone can do about the situation, usually diffuses anger and annoyance, prompting fellow travellers to start up a conversation. I have learnt over time to look for the little advantages embedded in the minor traumas of life. I find that the road ahead is much less tiring that way.

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Lost in the moment-feeding the pigeons in Barcelona's main square. Taken from La Rambla