Use This Age-Old Trick to Skip the Line

Although I had initially planned to share my tips on saving money while traveling, I have decided to save that for another time. Instead, I have a story that I need to share with you all. It occurred today and has been weighing on my mind. Some may consider it unethical, but to me, it's all about getting things done. Without further ado, here it is.

Excitement bubbled inside me as I made my way to the Chinatown bus station in Philadelphia en route to New York. I had snagged an incredible flight deal from JFK airport to X (find out on Instagram tomorrow 😉), and nothing was going to stand in my way. Except, of course, for one tiny problem - my bus didn't show up.

No emails, no notifications, nothing. The bus workers and customer service seemed just as clueless as I was, as other buses to New York came and went, but mine remained mysteriously absent. Anxiety began to set in; I couldn't afford to miss my flight, especially with the traffic on Labor Day week. I could have taken the next available bus, but that would have left me an entire hour behind schedule.

As I stood there, feeling pissed off, a woman nearby began to cry. She was upset that her travel plans had been ruined by this missing bus.

Side note: How could a bus just disappear in 2023?! I doubt that it went off a cliff in Brooklyn…

But I refused to let my own plans be foiled.

I told myself,

Drawing on my travel experiences in developing countries, I felt confident that I could handle this situation in Philadelphia, of all places.

I waited for the bus driver to take a smoke break and then approached him with courteous politeness. "I really need to make the bus because I have a flight I don't want to miss," I explained. "I'll give you $20 if I'm able to board your bus."

To my surprise, the driver agreed almost instantly - perhaps too quickly.

I’m relieved but I couldn't help feeling a twinge of regret.

“Damn, I should’ve started with a lower price.”

Moments later, he gave me a nod and I eagerly began to board the bus.

But unfortunately, the woman who had been crying earlier, started following me towards the bus. 

The driver, however, was having none of it. "Sorry, lady," he said firmly. "You don't have the right ticket."

"I have the same ticket as he does!" she protested.

I shook my head and thought to myself, 

With a cool demeanor, I quickly loaded my belongings onto the bus to escape the commotion. As we began to drive away, I watched her throw a tantrum in the distance.

Reflecting back, it occurred to me that sometimes, as Americans, we're too reliant on making a scene and calling customer service representatives to resolve our problems. In other countries, bribery can be an effective tool to get things done. 

And as it turned out, in this situation, my own brand of "bribery" had been successful. 

As we made our way to New York, I relaxed in my seat, feeling grateful that my determination and quick thinking had paid off.

What travel tricks do you use to overcome obstacles?

Cocktail of the Week

Originating in Brazil, the Caipirinha is a delightful cocktail made with Cachaça, a sugarcane spirit. It's believed to have been created by Brazilian farmers as a refreshing way to enjoy Cachaça.

   To prepare a Caipirinha:

   - Muddle 2 teaspoons of sugar with 1/2 a lime (cut into wedges) in a glass.

   - Fill the glass with ice and add 2 oz of Cachaça.

   - Stir and enjoy!

Random Travel Thought

People say that I'm living my best life, but that confuses me. What other life am I supposed to live?

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