Practice for the Amazing Race!

Written and posted on bus en route to Jyvaskulya. - 22:00

            I have recently decided that one of my friends and I are going to apply to be on The Amazing Race, but I did not know this leg of the race would be such good preparation for racing around the world! I should have known something was off last night when I checked into my hotel and they said my reservations had been made for the night before. I needed a place to stay, so I had no choice but to pay for another room, which the concierge generously charged me the same discounted rate and gave me breakfast the next morning out of sympathy. I skyped home then had about 13 hours of sleep, the time change didn’t affect me that night!

            The next morning I took the shuttle into the airport feeling good about my two flights until the passengers behind me mentioned that it was Saturday morning. I was surprised by that, but not overly concerned. It wasn’t until I had waited in the check-in line at the airport and gotten to the counter that my heart sank. The lady told me my name was not found and after examining my confirmation receipt said the flight was scheduled for Friday. Oops – it seems Saturday had a bit of an identity crisis as it had been confused with Friday during the booking. With a deep breath I collected myself saying I could break down later if I needed too, but now was certainly not the time! I was helped by a Turkish Airline passenger care center to get onto the same flight to Helsinki airport. I handed her my visa and said I have no choice – I’ve got to get to Jyvaskyla and I need to be on that flight. This, my friends, is why they tell you to arrive so early at airports – I had about 3.5 hours before my flight and that at least gave me security.

            After searching the airport for either a way to connect to the internet or make a phone call I found nothing. I was completely MIA. I knew that the other students who I was supposed to be meeting in Helsinki were probably concerned as well as the University leaders who were expecting me in Jyvaskulya. I had no way of contacting anyone, so I reasoned I was on my own and contented myself with knowing in a few hours I would at least be in the country.

            Once I arrived I was able to get a hold of my folks and alert them of my current predicament and asked for their help to get to Jyvaskulya. I was also able to send an email off to some of the Finland contacts and coordinators so that I was no longer off the grid and worried about. There were no planes scheduled to go there on the weekends, so I was reduced to either a train or a bus. I frantically asked bus drivers if they were driving to the rail station, thinking that would be my best bet. Once there I almost gave up hope as the next train left in the morning.

            The folks found me a bus that would leave in about an hour if I could make it to the station. With not too much difficulty I found the station and I am currently writing from the bus relieved to have a plan in place to get to my destination. I will arrive around 12am, but I will be so glad to be there!!

            Honestly, if I wasn’t an avid fan of the Amazing Race and if I hadn’t had previous travel experience I would have not made it through the day. Next time I travel I will have a cell phone – that would have been a huge comfort for the day! Next time I post I’ll be in my apartment in Jyvaskulya, hopefully after a glass of wine and perhaps a good cry! I’m very much ready to see some familiar faces!!