I never expect that things will run perfectly when traveling.  There’s always the assumption that something will go awry; a flight delayed, a bag lost, a reservation canceled.  Usually, the mishaps are minor and by assuming the worst I end up pleasantly surprised when things unfold smoothly.

However, the past 24 hours have tested and disproven that theory.

Case #1:  Struck by a mean streak of procrastination, Conor waited until the last minute to get his Russian Visa application processed.  They assured him it would be ready yesterday, but unfortunalty they were mistaken – not until the 23rd will it be ready (two days after our planned departure).

Travel agents were called, flights changed and now Conor will have to wait a week before flying directly to St. Peterburg (missing Iceland and Finland altogether).

Case #2:  Conor and Mom escorted me to SFO this morning to hop on my flight to Iceland (my Russian Visa has been done for awhile).  Everything was going wonderfully, until check-in.  Apparently the fog over San Fran was being difficult and my flight to Seattle was delayed to the point of making my international connection an impossibility.

The ticketing agent tried everything, but due to Icelandic Air’s every-other-day flight schedule and overbooked flights, the soonest I could be on my way was the 25th…4 days away.

Again, travel agents were pestered, flights changed and now I will leave tomorrow morning (god willing) on a flight bound for Helsinki – Iceland is shit out of luck.

Apparently the best laid plans are no match for the airline industry.

Not one to let such things dampen my mood, a drive into the city yeilded a massive Indian feast at Udupi Palace.  I’ll be staying in the Bay tonight and will be boarding a plane bright and early tomorrow – fingers crossed!