My Spanish Mishap, Part 4: Concluded - Always Book Your Hostel Ahead Of Time

Tip # 6: If you know where you are going, find an internet café and book a hostel ahead of time!  I found my way to the Madrid airport.  I was reluctant to leave.  I’d met many wonderful people in the city and wanted more time to explore.  But I was three days late returning to England.  I had to contact friends I was supposed to have been staying with there and I was eager to see my family who would be meeting me in a few days.  After several delays, a cancellation, and 12 hours at the airport, I was on a flight home. 

However, flying into an airport I’d not been to before, I wasn’t sure how to get to anywhere I was familiar with.  It was suggested to me by a rail employee to head toward King’s Cross station.  I’d hoped to find a Cheap Hostel to stay near there for the night.  My bad luck took a final turn for the worse.  I really should have called ahead.  By the time I got there (about 3 in the morning) all the Hostels were full or had their front doors closed for the night.  It was hopeless.  Eventually I found my way back to the station where there was at least security and a populated area.  I found a bench to curl up on but lay awake until the sun was up. 

I made my way back to youth hostel and asked to use their internet.  Eventually, I located a few friends living in London (all my contact numbers were in the phone I’d had stolen), and finally found someone to meet me a few hours later.  I had two days to recover from the exhausted ordeal with a friend living in the area.  I could finally relax and actually feel comfortable.  Nothing had gone the way I’d planned but the adventure was one I will never forget.  I now feel that I can travel alone and conquer almost any travel situation.  I can’t say I didn’t make any mistakes, but I certainly have learnt from them.

Author Amanda Sears