On a Trip Around the World, and the Plane Just Left Without Me

I am 78 years old. I have traveled often to and from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Unlike the early days, I now carry a full complement of electronic gear: laptop, iPad, iPhone, camera, batteries, memory chips, universal electric plugs, assorted equipment connectors, ad almost infinitum. I NEVER EVER check a bag or bags unless literally forced to by circumstance or the airlines, the number of instances of which I can count on the fingers of one hand. The increasing years have taken a toll on my ability to shlep a rolling carry-on bag that will fit in the overhead bin and a mid-sized backpack that will fit under my seat, but I don’t leave home without them. I also wear a travel vest with numerous pockets that allows me to keep essential items secure yet close at hand while on the plane. (My wife, who is fashion-conscious, hates my vest, but is jealous of how much stuff it holds.) I was surprised—shocked, actually, that the 52 Places Traveler checks his bag(s); most savvy travelers don’t. The next best thing to avoid checking bags is to develop the flexibility and patience to cope with the inevitable delays, itinerary changes and challenges that checking your bag(s) can lead to, which the 52 Places Traveler does seem to have. If for some reason(s) you absolutely must (are forced to) check a bag, make sure all your essential items are in your carry-on bag(s). Otherwise you are in danger of turning what should be a nice trip into a bit of a disaster.

Yes travel is am awesome privilege especially when that travel IS your day job, not limited to the 5 or 10 days you might get once a year. It is also a privilege when your employer will cover any expenses to rebook and replan not the savings you have already spent Of course when I travel I don’t have to take even mental notes for a report later on. I can just enjoy. I expect each situation works equal in the end...

Ever hear of Climate Change young man?

I read travel stories to learn about interesting places to visit, not read a series of whines.

What about that luggage checked in Brazil????

Yep, I'm gonna stay home, thank you.

The flight from the Bay Area to Paris is about 11 hours. With meal service breaks and the odd nap, I can watch 4 movies. Sometimes 5. By the time I arrive, all the movies have blended together in my mind into a massive, plot-defying narrative with a mix of animated and live action characters, adventure, music, drama, suspense, comedy.... I wonder if our intrepid reporter has the same experience -- if his recollections of the museum visit in one country blend into those of the great meal in another, to the unforgettable minor drama in a forgotten city, to the chance meeting in another? His articles are a contemporary record, but his actual recollections must be a time traveler's challenge to keep it all straight.

As the writer indicated, the more you travel the easier it is to adapt. It is the in frequent travelers, particulary those with families who are the least able to adjust and avoid breakdowns ( understandably). As a frequent traveller , as an employee of IBM in the 70's/80's , my best 'adaptation' to air travel delays was being told in December 1978, while waiting for my return flight out of Detroit to New York that all flights East were cancelled due to a severe snow storm. Asking the gate agent if anything was leaving she said a flight to San Francisco was departing, as flights West were good to go.. She booked me on that flight, and I enjoyed a 5 hour relaxing trip ( first class no less) to San Francisco. I spent the rest of the day at the Delta airport lounge, and later was booked on a flight to New York, beating my travelling companions-who stayed in Detroit-back. Good food, relaxing atmosphere, and a good book to read made all the difference, that's the art of adapting . Of course air travel in 1978 was a lot more pleasant, as was IBM's policy of paying expense accounts very tolerant.

I travelled to Barra de la Navidad over a quarter century ago and am glad to hear it hasn't changed. You could sit at the tiny beach front bars and as long as you ordered beers be brought a steady flow of food . . . "here try this, I just grilled it" or "you might like this, my buddy just caught it" At the time, the Minister of Tourism had already admitted that "we have ruined Cancun" and was vowing not to do the same to a new up and coming tourist site, Huatulco. Some places are better left untouched.

I'm reminded of a trip from Kansas City to Sydney via San Francisco that became Kansas City - Denver - Los Angeles - San Francisco - Anchorage - Tokyo - Sydney, all because of a snowstorm in New York. That was in 1979, and I'm still waiting for my suitcase. Never, EVER, check a bag. Yes, it can be done, and comfortably; I'm just back from 5+ weeks around the world with only a carry-on. You quickly learn how to find laundromats, and I can say "service wash" in several languages. And a bonus: combined with Global Entry, you can be out the door of the plane and on the curb at O'Hare waiting for the shuttle in 5 minutes.

Remembering a wonderful stay in 1985 in the home of an elderly woman in the still little fishing village of La Manzanilla along this part of the Mexican coast. We also landed there for rest, like the author, but from an aborted backpack trip between Durango and Mazatlan and several long bus rides from Durango to Manzanillo. As we ambled into town from the bus stop on the highway, we were warmly greeted by Canadian expats and they arranged for us to stay with their elderly friend. Al fresco showers, eating fresh seafood and coconuts on the beach, paddling in the lagoon, mingling with Mexican families on holiday, sharing stories with our hostess. One of the BEST trips I've ever had to anywhere.

For most of my adult life I have wanted to trip to Machu Pichu and Buenos Aires. My then husband did not share my curiosity therefore I have been often to Europe and Asia. However once before marrying alone I went to South America (Venezuela 1993&95), which I thoroughly enjoyed and am now grateful. Any tips re: Machu Pichu, Argentina-specifically Buenos Aires, or additions you suggest to this itinerary?

Hi Sebastian. Once upon a time in 2001 I found myself without a job, and much like you, I rolled with the punches. I wound up living in this very section of Mexico in a little fishing village called Yelapa. It was one of the best times of my life thanks the natural beauty, and some of the best people who are still my friends today. I'm glad you found Costalegre.

In 1976 , having bought a brand new FJ 40 Toyota Landcruiser, the iconic legendary one that now show up in television ads ersuch as Hankook Tires. I entered at Nuevo Laredo and drove to Monterrey which is as far south that I had driven previously with my father 5 years before. The engine that Toyota put in was an inline 6 cylinder that had a maximum speed of 70 going downhill with a stiff tailwind. Not a fast vehicle but extremely rugged. I then drove to Tampico which is on the Gulf of Mexico and met some fun loving Canadians who 4 days before had left a small town in Nova Scotia in a Budget Rent a Van and had drive 72 hours to reach the beach in Mexico. After spending 3 days with them they invited me to go further south but I had other plans and I continued my drive to Mexico City where I visited the moon and sun Pyramids. I continued my trip to Guadlajara and the Pacific side. I was 1/2 through but then starting seeing towns that this writer saw. San Blas, Barra de Navidad and others north. They were much smaller 43 years ago but very peaceful. I had planned to book passage for me and the car on the train to the Copper Canyon but it wasn't running so that was my shift of plans since I was meeting a friend flying to El Paso. I reentered at Nogales. My only time I was worried was at a highway stop where someone waved a gun and asked if I was carrying. They let me pass. If I hadn't made plans to pick up Mike I would have stayed 30 more days. 7000 miles

In 1982, I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Chile. My PC boyfriend (who later became my husband) and I wanted to go to Punta Arenas, as far south as we could travel with public transportation. We didn’t have the money to fly commercially but heard rumors that non-Chileans could bum a ride with a Chilean air force flight out of Puerto Montt if space allowed. We waited at the airport with about a dozen mostly Europeans with the same hopes. Nationals had priority over us and, by the end of the day, it was apparent that none of us would be on a plane that day. So we joined our new friends for a dinner of fresh seafood and wine, laughter and interesting storytelling – a moment that I will never forget. We did continued south and visited the amazing island of Chiloe and continued through the misty fjords on an overnight boat to Puerto Aysen. It was a trip that still makes me smile thinking about it 37 years later. It could not have happened if our journey had unfolded as we had planned. Sometimes even better experiences await us if we let go of our envisioned control of our future. That is the beauty of embracing the uncertainty of travel.

In the seventies I traveled from Manzanillo to Puerto Vallarta, swimming in all those beaches in between. I remember particularly Tenacatita, because of the rocks (resembling those at Big Sur, only closer to the beach). It was idyllic and we were the only people there. Those were the beaches made famous by Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Tenacatita had no houses, but there was an abandoned air strip. One can only wonder who took a plane to swim for a while and leave (after six o"clock you could not stay because of the swarms of mosquitoes.

What a coincidence. I just returned from a trip to Puerto Vallarta will my family of 6. It turned out to be be one of the best vacation experiences of my life, despite going there in the midst of the hot rainy season. Bty, it only rained once. My hope is that it never turns into the riviera Maya, which has been destroyed by overdevelopment. We took a day trip to Sayulita, to check out the surfing, which lived up to its reputation. Not to mention that it is a lovely little town.

"Disaster"? "Nightmare"? So what language should we reserve for children separated from their parents at the border, a school shooting, famine, war? Travel disruptions, however irritating, are inconveniences, not more.

About ten years ago, I traveled through much of South America; Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil. At each airport, I was shocked with the number of lines I had to wait in, check in, check baggage, pay exit taxes, and then the customs and immigration lines when entering the each country. Walk into a store, find the desired product, and then wait in line to pay the one person in the whole store accepting cash. At that point, I realized that I could never move to South America, where standing in line is like a full-contact sport.

Another great and inspiring read. I am a clinical psychologist and today I shared Sebastian's story of a quick change of plans following a brief period of shock and disappointment. It was so nice to ask my client to share a story of her life of a time when she had also been a survivor of loss of what she had anticipated life would give her. Thanks Sebastian for the personal photos from your travels. You will deserve a nice break (with your sweetheart of course) once this adventure comes to an end!

Sebastian is a wonderful travel writer simply because he is a wonderful traveler: open-minded, flexible, creative, empathetic. His photos are great too. I thank him for his intriguing stories. They make me feel less homebound. Happy trails Sebastian!

After spending 4 years frequently traveling by air, I eventually adopted a passive “expecting the worst” attitude. Nothing fazed me - delays, cancellations, missed connections, severe turbulence, annoying passengers, mid flight detours. It was all out of my control so I basically gave up. I now avoid traveling if at all possible.

What a great article. Have traveled many times to Puerto Vallarta, but have never ventured South by car. Are the roads considered safe between the two sites?