After years of planning, January 1st 2017 marked the start of ‘The Big Trip’. With the emotional farewells behind us, we plodded through Gatwick Airport with bags on our back and fear in our eyes. Naturally, we headed straight to the pub for our last beer on UK soil…
December is notoriously the month of beige food consumption so we were craving something a bit healthier – after the beer, obvs. Despite the improving reputation of airports as shopping destinations in their own right, there’s a real lack of healthy food options available. Luckily I love a Pret sandwich as much as the next person. Little did we know that three hours later, we’d be turfed back out into the departure lounge, following a string of unhelpful announcements about why our flight was delayed. Something about a missing Falange, apparently. We were being tested on our Travel Principles before we’d even left the country!
Note: number 4 is don’t get stressed when bad things happen.
At this stage, 7.45pm on 1st January, not only were we delayed but the likelihood of missing our connecting flight was increasing by the minute.
We were provided with food vouchers by the airline, and off we trundled back to the departure lounges. Now, I’m not claiming that even if there had been a juice bar or salad cart available I would have chosen it – I’m really not that girl – but it was obvious straight away that the choices we had available were pretty unhealthy. Yet again, the beer prevailed and as a result, another Pret sandwich…
Before we were forced to make more bad food choices, our flight was announced – over four hours delayed – and the good news kept coming; they were holding our connecting flight in Madrid. So there it was, time to go, four pints and four Pret sandwiches later – we were finally on our way! Next stop – São Paolo!