Airports test people. Lost luggage, delayed flights, lines that never seem to move, it’s easy to lose patience.
But the truth is, the way we respond in those moments can shape not only our own experience, but also the energy we bring to everyone around us.
When things go wrong, it’s tempting to see airline staff as the enemy.
But here’s the reality… they aren’t canceling flights on purpose, and they aren’t misplacing bags just to make your life harder. They’re doing a job, often under pressure, and with very little thanks.
For many, it isn’t glamorous work. It’s stressful, repetitive, and sometimes thankless.
If you keep that perspective in mind, it becomes easier to respond with empathy rather than anger.
A simple “thank you, I appreciate your help” can mean more than you realize.
We are lucky… Traveling for wildlife, or for any adventure, is a privilege, not a requirement.
Even if our souls feel like they require it.
To see jaguars in the Pantanal, polar bears on the ice, or sharks in clear blue water means packing your bags and traveling to places that are often far, far, away.
Sometimes that means… a missed connection, or a lost bag, or the worst… a broke down plane.
And really, if something in the plane is going to break, we would all rather it be while it is still on the ground, where it can be repaired.
So instead of focusing on what went wrong, shift to what’s waiting at the end of the journey.
The landscapes, the animals, the chance to be somewhere wild and alive.
A delay or a missing bag is frustrating, yes, but it’s also temporary.
The magic that pulled you to travel in the first place is still waiting for you.
Here’s the truth… you’ll get far more out of your adventure if you carry gratitude instead of frustration.
Remember that the person behind the counter is human.
They might be having a bad day too. They might be dealing with things beyond work.
Travel, especially for wildlife, isn’t meant to be perfect. It’s meant to be an experience.
The missed flights, the lost luggage, the delays, they’re part of the journey.
It’s the price we all might have to pay for stepping outside of an ordinary life.
And when you finally arrive, you won’t be thinking about the airline counter.
You’ll be thinking about how lucky you are to be here, in this exact moment, connected to something wild and real.
So next time you’re in that situation… Pause. Take a breath. Offer kindness.
Because, every delay is just another step in the dance that carries you toward the magic you are looking for.
Safe Travels Everyone!
*New Blogs posted 3–4 times a week.
(sometimes more, unless we are on an expedition, then we write trip reports, instead of blogs.)