Having to rearrange my flights out of South America only seemed to reinforce my belief that everything happens for a reason. While I had 3 days less in Prtugal I had an amazing time enjoying each layover around the world on my way to Europe. First off it gave me two extra days in Buenos Aires which allowed me to see the San Telmo Sunday market that I hadn't got to see before, as well time to explore La Boca, and one last night to see the best of Buenos Aires and thanks to Miguel I got to have the most authentic experience of my time there. Leaving the cruise and my misfit family was hard enough as is so having at least one more day with Gilad and half a day with Emma was better then nothing.
My flight from Argentina took off for Miami around 9pm and I landed in Miami early at around 3:30 in the morning. When I landed I knew that I had almost a 15 hour layover until my 7pm flight (later to be delayed until 10pm) and so I was brainstorming what to do. Originally I had expected just to go to a beach and tan all day however after checking the weather before leaving Buenos Aires I realized it may not be the best. I then decided that maybe I should go to Cuba for the day, I could book a 5am flight spend all day and a 5pm flight back to Miami. As my backpack was already checked through to London I had nothing to worry about carrying. However this plan went awry when I checked my phone to see that supposedly there was a "surprise" waiting for me at gate G. My mom and my sister flew down to Florida to spend my layover with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best surprise, even better then Cuba.
We spent the day at the beach, and did some shopping in Miami then they even drove me to lil'havana so I could get a Cubano in lil'havana, almost as good as going to Cuba itself. It was the perfect layover, and the first time I got to see my family in 2 months, and potently the last for the next 5 months.
London I had another long layover, the best thing about London is that the museums are free and for a museum addict like me this is a very beautiful system. I left the airport after checking my backpack into my flight to Lisbon, and headed staight to the metro and to the V&A. I had tea in the courtyard after spending all afternoon wandering around the galleries. Later I found a pub near by for fish and chips before racing back to the airport. The perfect day in grey and rainy London.
I had another fabulous layover in Barcelona about a week later on my way to Morocco. I found out that I would be in Barcelona (from 11pm to 6 am) at the exact same time that Emma from UBC would be there. After landing in Barcelona I immediately ran to baggage claim to grab my bag and then head out to find Emma for a few drinks before making it back for my next flight. Of course the airport lost my bag. 2 hours later I made the last bus from BCN to Plaza Catalunya at 1:05am. Luckily with my backpack in hand. We had an amazing night wandering the streets of Barcelona getting late night tapas and drinks here and there before I raced back to the airport.I've learned that while sometimes unpleasant and seemingly unnecessary, layovers can be little gifts giving you the chance to see a snapshot of so many amazing places.
