Trip to the USA! Sounds thrilling, exciting, and everything! Right?
But who would have expected, that this trip would cause my heart rate to increase due to a very stressful moment?
THE SCENARIO
In mid-June, I traveled to the USA for the first time in 3 years. I was going to New York City for a very special project that was supposed to be finished more than a year ago.
It was my first time traveling since the Coronavirus so effectively shut the world down (it’s actually my 3rd try to get there, all being postponed or canceled due to increasing Covid cases).
And even if I am not scared for my health of getting the infection I absolutely did not want to get it over there with all the inconveniences and the extra costs that would add to my life.
So now was the time in mid-June. Virus levels in society were very low and all restrictions were gone. Yippie!
THE FIRST THREAT
The first stressful threat came a few days before departure:
On the news: “There is chaos on Arlanda in Stockholm because of lack of security personnel. Waiting time was days in line and car traffic chaos, they redirected the traffic to other terminals and more. And the problem was spread at least in Europe”.
Solution: Well I was traveling from Copenhagen airport. Did they have the same problem? What can I do about it?
I searched the internet for info and did not find much. I sat calmly in the “boat” as we say (even if I was about to fly) and on the day I went there 4 hours early. It took me 1 hour to get through security, and that gave me 3 hours for a nice cup of coffee, some time for work, and some time for rest, just watching people.
WHAT HAPPENED ON THE FLIGHT TO USA
On the flight, not much exciting happened, I watched 2 movies, rested, and ate.
What struck me was that the plane was full to the last seat, no one wore a mask and it was like the Coronavirus never existed.
On-site, at Newark airport, it was easy to find the bus taking us into NYC. A nice thing happened when I was to pay.
The driver said:
“That is $11 for you as a senior citizen”
I later found out that the regular price was $20 AND all the taxi services took around $100 for the same ride. WOW, was I happy I had looked a little deeper into the possibilities?
The bus station was just 1 block away from my hotel.
It is extremely expensive with hotels in NYC. I had picked one of the cheap ones and a very tiny room – yes with a bathroom of my own, I am too old to share (lol).
THE SECOND STRESSFUL MOMENT
I had booked 5 nights, and I was to pay there. I gave my business credit card and the lady said she would not take it. I knew there was money but their system did not accept it.
I had 2 private cards too and we tried those – not accepted as well – and there was probably not enough room left on the credit card for that amount.
I asked for info to do a transfer, “No we don’t do that” – they said.
I asked for an invoice, “No we don’t do that” – she said.
She then asked for cash – I had enough for one night.
I paid, all sweaty and shaking, for ONE NIGHT.
My thoughts were spinning around – what if I don’t find a way around this situation – where will I stay the following four nights???
I went up to the room on the 22nd floor, shakingly got my computer up on the small table, and found the technical cords and devices needed to get the computer working. I then logged into my bank account (thank you universe for the system we have to identify us via the phone).
Got in and looked at the info around my cards – and yes – the card was ticked for “not being used in the States” and I could untick it and save (hopefully that would make things work).
I hurried down to the lobby again and asked the girl to check if it would now work – and YES,
What a relief! I paid for 5 nights – would get a receipt when I left.
Lesson learned…
Check your settings around money BEFORE you leave.
MY NEXT DAYS
The next day I spent a few hours in company with a friend Frank Iovine from the ElevateElite speaker group that we both belong to. It is such a treat to be able to meet people that you only know from a zoom window, to meet in real life (thanks for the lunch Frank! Lol).
On the third day, which is also my 3rd stressful moment – after 2 nights of being there – the cleaning lady came after lunchtime – and all she asked was if I was leaving today, I said no, I have 3 more nights, and she left without emptying the waste baskets or anything.
Soon thereafter she knocked on the door, another knock came in – a lady, looking like a manager, stood outside and asked if I was leaving. I said, “No, I have 3 more nights and I have paid for it”.
She said that in her papers, it says I was leaving after 2 nights.
She repeated that several times and I asked her to check the system since I had paid for 5 nights.
This was very stressful and it took me some time to get back into the work I was doing.
About 2 hours later, the hotel phone rang. I answered and this man asked when I was leaving – and again I said, “On Sunday, 3 more nights”.
Then he started babbling about how they said I was to leave today and it was getting late.
By then, my stress system was fully in action!
I said “I am staying 3 more nights and I have paid for it” and I also said that they apparently have a structure problem in their system because this lady has already been here and she was going to set things right. Finally, we hung up.
Soon thereafter I was going to buy some food and when I passed the lobby I asked who I had talked to and I asked if he had seen I was right.
He kept babbling about it, saying in his system that I had been very rude to him.
No “excuse us – we were wrong”.
I was close to tears, shaking – and the other person sitting there grinned at me in a weird way as if she was amused that I was crushed. Still, another man working there sitting a bit away looked at me with sympathy but he did not say anything.
I went out, got my food, and felt better after eating.
Later in the evening that nicer man was up at the desk, so I went to him and said: “I am sorry for being emotional but I am a bit stressed right now”.
He said it was a human error from their side – everything was in order. And he thanked me for coming up to talk.
Lesson learned…
It is never wrong to be the first one to say sorry – even though I still think they have structural problems AND some staff issues behaving like this with an unhappy guest (but it is out of my system).
MY BIG DAY
The next day was my big day, the main goal for this trip – filming in my speaker mentor Tricia Brouk´s movie Big Stages.
I was told to be at the address way out in Brooklyn at 9:15 am. The trip was supposed to take about an hour from door to door. I had carefully looked for subway numbers and such the day before.
Okay… so I got my coffee at 7 when the shop opened. Had a quick bagel breakfast and off I went – found the subway station – got my ticket – and started to walk towards the line I was taking. Walked for about 10 minutes underground – this way, that way, this way and finally got on the train.
The thing is when I got off the train at the right station…
I had a not-so-detailed map and started walking – and asked for clear directions 3 times but almost all were unclear and vague answers.
So more walking and walking, and yeah while it is hot and time is passing.
Finally, I saw 2 ladies to ask. And who would have known…. They pointed in the totally opposite direction from where I was heading!
Yes, my stress system again started working – I still have 30 minutes and I follow their instructions, see the landmarks they talk about, and walk, but still can’t find out from my map and I see this guy and he thinks I am just about right but he is not from there.
Finally (this time real final, lol), a guy on a bike stops and asks if we need help.
He knows directly where it is – one street to the right and has to go back 3 blocks.
I got there just in time – exhausted, all red in my face and hair dripping with sweat.
Fortunately, there was a hair dryer there and they had a makeup girl helping me look normal again. The sad part is that I did not take a photo, that would have been so beautiful.
It was also so nice to meet Tricia face to face as we’ve been working already for a couple of years.
THE FILMING – THE MAIN PROJECT
After a while, I was back on track with my stress levels on a lower level – but we were going to film and I did not know what was going to happen.
We decided on two scenes – one where she asks me about my Why and then a scene with her coaching me.
It was great fun – lots of waiting time – but great fun – and in the afternoon I got back to the hotel – via an Uber with Tricia. Totally exhausting that I just binge-watched TV the rest of the day.
Also, the film will come out early next year but the thought is that finally, we’ve done it, yay!
THE DAY AFTER FILMING
The next day, I had nothing planned.
I had thought of doing some sightseeing but I was just too tired and I wanted to be kind to myself so I just walked nearby and rested.
Then came the day to travel back home. Got to the airport in good time, no queue in the safety check – HAVE NEVER seen that before – NO people in line – just pass through – A REAAALLY nice flight back home during the night so only one movie and then sleep.
SUMMARY
This was my first trip in almost 3 years. Some really stressful moments, lots of good moments, and great meetings with great people.
I learned my own lessons, and hopefully, you learn from me too.
MY TIPS FOR YOU:
- Check the circumstances on the travel service both in the time for traveling – but also the possibilities/choices you have (remember my bus fare).
- Be in a good time – better too early – plan for what to do while waiting instead of getting angry waiting.
- Check your pay system BEFORE you go – is my card valid – do I have enough cash in case the card doesn’t work, etc.
- Calculate more time when going someplace unknown to you – or be prepared to take a taxi, lol.
- Enjoy your trip – all my hurdles were worldly, and no one got hurt – except my soul when they kept telling me I was to leave according to their papers (but it all worked out and I gave my apologies first – which made me grow).
- Take a deep breath when you feel the stress coming – get back into the now because that is where you can think, where you can see the challenge clearly.
FEEL FREE TO ASK FOR HELP
I know how sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, but know that help is always available and within your reach.
Also, here’s a gift for you.
See you soon!
