When Travel Plans Go Wrong

It was the night before we were supposed to depart on a dream trip to Turks & Caicos. I’d been planning our getaway for months, and looking forward to visiting this breathtaking island for years. Everything was ready, and all I had to do was pack and get us checked in for our flight. As usual for the day before a vacation, my husband was still at work, trying to get everything done before we left. I took out his passport to start the check-in progress, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. The expiration date said 2017. I was in shock…I’m usually so careful and well-prepared, but the last international trip we took was in January 2017, and I guess we just didn’t think to check after that. I called my husband in a panic and frantically searched the internet for last minute passport renewal. I told my husband he needed to be home as soon as possible, and then I called Cheap Caribbean, who we had booked the trip through, to see if we had any options. The short answer was that there were no passport renewal appointments the next day, and it was too late to cancel the trip without penalties. I was absolutely heartbroken, and while I waited for my husband to get home, I crawled into bed and cried.

Before I go any further, let me say that I know this I know this is the definition of a “first world problem.” There are many people who can rarely, if ever, afford a vacation, and many more people who would be grateful for the things I often take for granted, like food, water and shelter. I acknowledge this fully, but I think there is a valuable lesson in this experience that I want to share.

Once my husband got home and spoke again to Cheap Caribbean, we determined that we would be able to get some money back and some credits for a future trip. As sad as we were, we had no choice but to cancel. But, my husband was determined that we wouldn’t lose the opportunity to get away. Instead of sulking, he got thinking. When my grandfather passed away in September, my mom and her brothers inherited the house in Florida that has been in our family for nearly 60 years. We called my mom, who kindly reached out to her brothers to make sure no one was renting the house. They all felt bad for us and were happy for us to stay there. We immediately booked flights to Florida, finished packing, and got in a few hours of sleep before it was time to leave.

The weather was beautiful, unseasonably warm, and we had a very nice time together. It was great to be back in a place that means so much to my family, and although it was difficult to be there without my grandpa, I was reminded of a lot of fond memories. It was a different trip than the one that we had originally planned, with a lot more driving and plans to figure out, but I’m so grateful that we were able to turn lemons into lemonade. It was an important lesson to learn…that even when travel plans go wrong, when it seems like all is lost, on whatever scale you’re measuring, there’s always a way to turn it around. AND, remember to check your passport expiration date long before you’re supposed to leave!

I’ll be sharing a travel diary and a few outfits in the coming days, so stay tuned!

Meet Sam

Hello and welcome to La Petite Pear! My name is Sam, and this is where I share curve-friendly, affordable style + favorite products, destinations, and a look at life as a toddler mom in New York.

Archives

Discount Codes

Get a month free from Rocksbox with code SAMANTHATBFF55

20% off at Parade with code SAMGRAMS

First manicure free at Glosslab with code SamanthaA104

Get 10% off your order at Hape Toys with code SAMGRAMS

Get 20% off your order at Zutano with code SAMGRAMS

Get 10% off your order at Cincha Travel with code SAMGRAMS

Get 10% off your order at Kitsch with code SAMGRAMS

$15 off a stroller from Zoe Baby with code SAMANTHA15

2 Comments

Comments are closed.