November 2, 2026
At the end of 2005, Wendy’s parents treated the entire family to a cruise in the Caribbean. On December 24, fifteen of us packed our bags, flew to Miami, and boarded a Princess cruise ship, excited to be sailing across the deep blue sea…for free! Back then, a vacation was always a welcome break from the hustle and bustle of full-time employment but a free vacation was worth celebrating. And since we were traveling over the holidays, we’d get home on December 31 just in time to celebrate again, welcoming the arrival of 2006. It was a great way to party like it was 1999…or something like that.
Our ship was a typical ocean liner. There were multiple decks, a casino, and a large pool area surrounded by thousands of wintery-pale passengers who wanted to cook in the sun so they could brag about getting some “color” on their vacation. There were also several buffet areas teeming with French fries, soft serve ice cream, and Norovirus which had been donated by the stubborn passengers who refused to “get a new damn plate” before returning for seconds, thirds, and fourths.
As with many large groups, we had our own table for each meal in the main dining room. We loved the lively banter between our waiters, who were assigned to us for entire trip. While they came from Russia and their English made it relatively easy to communicate, there were a couple of occasions when we just gave up trying to explain what an Eggo waffle was or whether they had any grits. Some things just don’t translate.
One night, our main waiter and his assistant got into a heated argument about something we did not quite understand. The argument escalated to the point that the senior server threw a spoon at the other one. It was pure entertainment for the kids who ranged in age from five to sixteen. Of all the wonderful sights on the islands of St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and the Bahamas, the single most talked about experience on that cruise was the night the waiters got into a fight. Ah, the memories that stick.
One day, we docked on a remote island where we spent several hours on the beach. It was a lovely area allowing the kids to swim, look for shells, or work on their “color". When we returned to the ship, I was emptying out my beach bag when a scorpion fell onto the floor. Now, I grew up in Appalachia so I don’t know nothing about no scorpions. As it started crawling around the floor, I panicked. Wendy jumped onto the bed while I searched for something to swat it with. I grabbed one of my flip flops and unleashed a severe backwoods whoopin’ on that thing. Suffice it to say the sole of my shoe eliminated the soul of that scorpion. It was a bit traumatic. In fact, I woke up several times that night thinking something was crawling up my leg.
The cruise was a fun time for all and when it ended, we thanked my in-laws profusely for including us in such a great adventure. On the day of our return, December 30th, we disembarked from the ship in Miami and our family headed to the hotel where we would spend the night before our 9:00 am flight the next day.
We got to the airport at 7:30 am and attempted to check in at the United kiosk. An error message popped up saying that our flight had already left. Well, this was ridiculous. Our flight was not for scheduled to leave for another 90 minutes so we headed over to the ticket agent to get help checking in. I said to the agent, “We’re trying to check in for our flight but the kiosk is broken. It says our flight has already left.”
She said, “The kiosk is not broken. Your flight has already left.”
We were shocked. Apparently, the airline had changed the departure time of the flight but no one had notified us. And with it being New Year’s Eve, there wasn’t an open seat on any flight out of Miami for the next two days. Our only option was to rent a car and drive eighteen hours back to Northern Virginia. When we told the kids about the plan, the look on their faces was that of a criminal condemned to multiple life sentences in a car with their parents. For the first three hours, no one said a thing. Eventually, though, we settled in and played “I Spy” about two thousand times.
In the end, we made it home with no other travel challenges. But I learned two valuable lessons. First, I should probably confirm my flight schedule the day before I leave on any trip. And second, when I’m certain of something, such as the broken kiosk at the airport, perhaps there is another explanation. In fact, I just may be wrong. It’s happened to me more than once. For instance…
Wendy and I went out to dinner a few months ago at a restaurant near our house. I ordered fish and chips which I had eaten there before and really enjoyed. When the meal arrived, there was no coleslaw—something that had always been included as a side dish. I checked the restaurant’s website from my phone and it clearly listed coleslaw as one of the items included with the fish and chips. I summoned the server and told her the coleslaw had been left off the plate. She said, “Coleslaw doesn’t come with that item. It never has.”
I said, “Well, yes it does. I’ve gotten it many times. Plus, it’s on your menu.” Please note that by “many” I meant twice. I felt a need to exaggerate as a way of emphasizing the extent of her error. The server said it was NOT on the menu and then asked “will there be anything else?” I suggested that she go check the menu regarding the coleslaw but without acknowledging my recommendation, she just turned and walked away.
We finished our meal, sans coleslaw, and waited nearly two days for our bill. Technically, it was like fifteen minutes but when you’re finished with your meal and ready to leave, it feels much longer. When the server finally brought the check, I asked her if she had looked to see if coleslaw was on the menu, as I had suggested. Her exact words were, “I don’t have time for that.”
I could feel the vein on the side of my forehead start to throb. But I realized that there was no need to get upset as we had already finished our meal and I didn’t really want a dish of coleslaw for “dessert.” So, we paid the bill and headed towards the door. When I got to front of the restaurant, I decided to glance at the printed menu to confirm my suspicion. To my surprise, there was no coleslaw listed with the fish and chips. Apparently, I was wrong—and so was their website. Geez.
Once again, I learned two lessons. First, customer service is still important when tending to a guest’s request. All the server had to do was let me know that the menu had changed. And second, when I’m certain of something, such as coleslaw with the fish and chips, I just may be wrong. It’s happened more than once. I’d estimate the number is approaching a thousand.
We currently live in a world where politicians, leaders, influencers, and every Joe Schmo on Facebook “knows” the answer to any particular problem. And yet, no one can agree on a solution. There are a lot of experts but very few seem to have the expertise we need. It’s a shame that more of us (me included) can’t use the old Buddhist concept of approaching everything with a beginner’s mind. Rather than assuming we know everything about everything, if we enter every situation with open eyes and a welcome spirit, we’re less likely to assume that we know what’s best or that the other person is an idiot. It’s a humbling technique that’s actually quite effective.
So, when it comes to challenges, conflicts, and the like, I think my future self will try to look at the situation and rather than jumping to any conclusions, simply think to myself, “Perhaps they’re right.”
Will it work. Most certainly.
Of course, I may be wrong.