Home Sweet Home

Lessons learned from the road… and my couch

One of my biggest worries when I travel is missing connections. After a long but relaxing day of people-watching in Cádiz, I pulled my pack out of storage, changed my clothes, re-wrapped my ankle, and set off for the bus station. I waited about an hour before the bus arrived - and left a few minutes early! I found my seat and settled in for what I thought would be the five-hour milk run to Lisbon Airport.

I’d forgotten about the one-hour time difference, so what I thought would be five hours turned into over six. Very little sleep, too: bright phone screens, people watching shows without headphones, and then… well, the smell. I was relieved to finally be in the airport, but still had another three hours to kill before my security checkpoint opened.

The first flight to Amsterdam was uneventful - just the way I like it. By the time I landed in Toronto, I was exhausted from two long travel days and beyond excited to get home and see Tiger.

Then came the delays. We were told that an equipment issue meant we could only disembark 50 passengers at a time. Luckily, I was near the front and only had to wait about 20 minutes. I eventually reached the main atrium and saw a line that just. never. ended.

All the customs kiosks were down in Terminals 1 and 3, so everyone had to pass through manual checkpoints. I turned around and started chatting with a lovely couple behind me. Together, we scoped out washrooms and kept each other entertained. The husband had a gift for dry humor, offering colorful commentary as we shuffled forward a few steps at a time. Every so often, we’d watch fresh waves of arrivals realize the line stretched through two more hallways.

Reaching the lower level felt like when the herd of sheep have finally escaped the dogs - pure chaos, every traveler for themselves. With unclear instructions being shouted over the noise, we all tried to find the “new” back of the line. Eventually, I lost sight of the couple and spent the next hour and a half reading my book and fighting off motion sickness as the labyrinthine line zigzagged endlessly. Random bursts of Sweet Caroline and Isn’t It Ironic broke out, courtesy of travelers trying to make the best of it. After 45 hours awake, though, I wasn’t exactly feeling the singalong spirit.

After customs came baggage claim - another mess. Using my AirTag, I was scanning the floor when I suddenly spotted the woman I’d met waving me over. “We found our luggage so, yours might be here too!” Sure enough, there was my pack, leaning against someone’s rolly case. I asked where her husband was, and she smiled, “He went to find you!” A few minutes later, he came running back, looked at us both, and exclaimed, “I found her!” That small act of kindness - their thoughtfulness, after all that chaos - made the whole experience bearable.

Then came the taxi line. That one moved quickly… until I reached the front and had to laugh. No more taxis.

Tiger, of course, was ecstatic to have his human back. It took him a full day to calm down. Now, we’ve both settled into the peace and quiet (aside from the construction a block over).

I’ve always believed no experience is a waste. The only time something is a waste is if you don’t learn from it. So, as always, I’ve taken some time to reflect on the lessons from this adventure.

Lessons Learned

The investments in gear were the right ones - especially the new backpack. I barely felt it, even on the sprained ankle.

That said, I don’t need all the new gear. Next time: two t-shirts instead of three, one pair of pants instead of two, and skip the sandals - shower shoes are fine and much lighter anyway.

Always pack a clean pair of undies for an airport change after an overnight bus or train. Game changer.

Even when you think you’re ready for plans to change, they’ll change in ways you don’t expect. But, I can handle the curveballs (even in Spanish).

My support system is incredible. My best friends - the Sisterhood - give me space to vent and think out loud. They offer advice with kindness and zero judgment, and even though we’re scattered across Canada, they’re only ever a call or WhatsApp message away.

This Camino chapter is paused. For now.

Hasta la próxima aventura.