Spare Change

When I took a meditation course at the Kripalu Institute (which offers a live-in volunteer option for anyone who might want to work, live, and study yoga in the Berkshires) back in 2007, my teacher pointed out that the popular mantra, Om nama Shivaya, is an invocation to Shiva, the god of change.  “Change isn’t always positive,” she said.  “So you can pray for change.  Just be willing to accept the consequences.”

Now, with Mumbai hotels under terrorist attack and the Bangkok airport unexpectedly taken over by protestors, travel plans might suddenly face a visit from the god of change himself.  What is there to do when things suddenly and rapidly gang aft agley?

Flight Network specializes in cheap, discounted last-minute fares in case you need to jet out of somewhere.  Also check the local cheapie airlines:

• Travel in Canada: Westjet
• Travel in US: Southwest, AirTran, JetBlue
• Travel in Europe: Ryanair, WizzAir
• Travel in India: GoAir
• Travel in SE Asia: Tiger Airlines
• Travel in Australia/NZ/Oceania: Jetstar Airlines
• Travel anywhere: Virgin

Always have a backup hostel/hotel in case the first one is unexpectedly full or gone (I once broke into an abandoned building in Berlin because it was where a hostel was SUPPOSED to be, according to the LP guidebook).  Local information booths can actually help you find last-minute places to stay: check train stations, bus stations, and, as a last resort, police stations.  Always carry a CRISP American $50 bill stashed away somewhere; some SE Asian countries will not change US money if it has rips, tears, or looks bedraggled (notably: Bhutan, Myanmar).

Some train stations and airports allow you to sleep inside.  Some throw you out.  Find out which kind yours is if you have the last flight or train of the day (notoriously delayed or invisible).  ALWAYS bring snacks with you on any bus/train/plane/boat trip.  Especially in more meandering countries, a trip might unexpectedly take twice or even three times as long as predicted, and it saves having to depend on small children leaning in the windows of your train compartment, trying to sell you fried chicken.

As always, the most important thing to remember if sudden change throws a wrench in your works is: don’t panic.  This is not insurmountable.  If you are in immediate danger, attempt to get yourself out of the situation rapidly (for example, in a city under terrorist attack, leave the city to ANYWHERE outside the city) before making contingency plans.  Keep your wits about you and avoid acting irrationally out of fear.  Remember: chagne is neither good nor bad at its heart…it’s what you do with it that makes it one or the other.