{"id":348713,"date":"2025-12-17T23:34:56","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T23:34:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/uncategorized\/proof-that-youre-never-too-old-to-slap-on-a-backpack-and-follow-your-dreams-3\/"},"modified":"2025-12-17T23:34:56","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T23:34:56","slug":"proof-that-youre-never-too-old-to-slap-on-a-backpack-and-follow-your-dreams-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=348713","title":{"rendered":"Proof that you’re never too old to slap on a backpack and follow your dreams."},"content":{"rendered":"


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\"Shocked<\/a><\/div>\n

An absolute FIRST for the TravelnLass.<\/p>\n

Seriously. How many airplane tickets have I booked in my life? Surely HUNDREDS! It\u2019s pretty much the first thing I do once I decide what corner of the globe I\u2019ll head to next.<\/p>\n

And how many times have I completely changed my mind after coughing up the rubles for said (nearly always cheapo \u201cnon-refundable<\/em>\u201c) air ticket?<\/p>\n

ZIP. Precisely NONE. Ninguno. Nunca, Never.<\/p>\n

Oh yes \u2013 I\u2019ve often changed my tune on a new destination whilst still in the \u201cDreaming\u201d stage (like here<\/a><\/strong>, here<\/a><\/strong>, and most recently here<\/a><\/strong>) But that was always BEFORE I\u2019d finally settled (for sure) on my next adventure and determined the best time to visit my new target country(ies), as well a how much time I\u2019d fancy wandering about. Oh and always, always \u2013 BEFORE dropping a hefty handful of Benjamin Franklins for an air ticket.<\/p>\n

Note: Do be sure to read the \u201cP.S.\u201d at the end\u2026<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Back Story\u2026<\/h4>\n

After much ambivalent deliberation, finally back last February<\/a> \u2013 I had settled on whizzing back to Europe for a month \u2013 a few days in Paris (merely as a \u201chub\u201d for catching cheapo European air to most anywhere on the continent \u2013 though I did hope to visit the newly raised-from-the-ashes Notre Dame on one of my single days there either coming or going). Plus a week in Malta (a small isle in the Mediterranean, so a week should be plenty), and finally a 3 week explore of Albania. I was (relatively) excited to explore both Malta and Albania, and\u2026 I stumbled upon a very sweet $732 rt. air ticket from Ecuador (most every other option was well over $1,300). So\u2026 I grabbed it.<\/p>\n

And after locking in my (didimention *non-refundable<\/em>*?) air ticket \u2013 that was it. As always, I left all the rest completely open, not nailed-down, all \u201cfree cancellation\u201d sleeps, no pre-arranged local transport, and of course no pre-booked activities in either Malta, or Albania.<\/p>\n

IOW, free-as-a-bird to go about researching all that both countries had to offer. Perusing travel blogs, peeking into TripAdvisor forums, along with continuing to gaze at the steady stream of what my fellow wanderlusts were up to in my (several) FB travel groups.<\/p>\n

So why the sudden (post ticket purchase) flip-flop but once in nearly 5 decades of hopping around the globe \u2013 why the drastic U-Turn?<\/p>\n

Why on earth would I suddenly (voluntarily) choose to toss away a perfectly good round-trip plane ticket to Europe???<\/p>\n

Nope, I\u2019ve not broken a leg. Nor have I run off to Argentina with a dashing young lad from Buenos Aires (though that might well be tempting should I somehow get lucky). \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

The \u201cPerfect Storm\u201d<\/h4>\n

No one, single reason really. Several considerations that recently all came together into the \u201cperfect storm\u201d. A merge of sobering reflections that told me (deep in my life-long, ever reliable) \u201cgut\u201d that\u2026 Nope, no matter the pitiful loss of more than $700 down the drain. A tiny voice in my heart\/head kept persistently (for weeks now) silently whispering that another whiz to Europe just wasn\u2019t the best move forward come September 23rd.<\/p>\n

Essentially, it was a matter of several inter-tangled circumstances:<\/p>\n

First, it had all started with Albania. I should have hopped across the Adriatic 3 years ago on my month-long romp in top-to-bottom Italy<\/a><\/strong> (incl. Puglia \u2013 Italy\u2019s \u201cboot\u201d right across the sea from Albania). And though I was still blissfully happy w\/ my decade-long life here in Cuenca, Ecuador \u2013 back then I was (uncharacteristically\/momentarily) feeling a pang of \u201citchy (expat) feet\u201d and thought \u2013 maybe, just maaaybe<\/em> a good long settle in Albania might prove a nice change of pace. Indeed, especially \u2018cuz of a unique quirk in Albania\u2019s immigration regs allowing those of us from the U.S. to simply waltz into the country and be handed a full year visa \u2013 no questions asked.<\/p>\n

Back then Albania still seemed blessedly off-the-beaten-path. But today? Everybody and their uncle has suddenly \u201cdiscovered\u201d it. In but a few short years, Albania seems to have become the latest \u201cdarling\u201d of Europe. Indeed, I halfway predicted (in THIS post<\/a><\/strong> last March) that it was \u201cworrisomely\u201d popping up everywhere as the new kid on the \u201cbucket list\u201d block.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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(Begin RANT)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

All thanks to the (imho, blight) of social media \u2013 e.g. hundreds of YouTubers and bloggers scrambling to supplement their own travels via earning a pittance on \u201cviews\u201d, \u201csubscribes\u201d, ads, and a steady stream of (dubiously credible) \u201caffiliate links\u201d by touting their every move with their newly-minted passport.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Not to mention many folks now blindly using \u201cAI\u201d (which is nothing more than a mindless bot vomiting a synopsis of what every traveler on the Planet happens to be doing, eating, seeing) to breezily \u201cplan\u201d their entire itinerary (b\/c travel planning is soooo \u201cstressful\u201d). #dontgetmestarted<\/em><\/p>\n

(\/RANT)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

IOW \u2013 thanks to all the digital nonsense (and rampant commercialization) that\u2019s (drastically) changed the face of my life-long beloved travel industry in the past 5-10\u00a0 years. The digital masses (in FB groups, travel forums, blogs and of course YouTube) are presently raving about Albania both as a travel destination AND the next hot expat retirement spot on the Planet. The former, muchly due to Albania NOT being in the European Union and thus the perfect option if you\u2019re hell-bent on continuously doing the \u201cSchengen Shuffle<\/a><\/strong>\u201c. And the latter\u2026 (one of few) still (relatively) low COL spots within cozy range of Western Europe, along with the aforementioned easy-peasy long-term visa regs (esp. for those from the U.S.).<\/p>\n

In short \u2013 sadly, Albania seems destined to become (yet another) cookie-cutter \u201cDisney-esque\u201d destination crowded (even in the \u201cshoulder-season\u201d) with all flavors of travelers \u2013 including the newly-coined \u201cslow\u201d vs. the standard \u201cfast\u201d travelers, and of course the slew of (arguably * <\/span><\/strong>culturally-appropriated): \u201cdigital nomads\u201d.<\/p>\n

Um\u2026 what can I say? That I\u2019ve never been keen on \u201cfollowing the herd\u201d (especially when it comes to my travel destinations) goes without saying.<\/p>\n

Plus \u2013 What\u2019s Albania and Malta Got for Me, Anyway?<\/h4>\n

With further research, there was also the small problem that (leastwise for my peculiar travel interests) both countries on my radar weren\u2019t measuring up to much more than a whimpering \u201cmeh\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Um\u2026 pebbles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

As I\u2019ve likewise never been much of a \u201cbeach person\u201d, the splendor of the touted \u201cAlbanian Riviera\u201d didn\u2019t make my heart go pit-a-pat . Plus most of the beaches seemed to be primarily \u201cpebbled\u201d rather than sandy, so even a limited linger at any of them didn\u2019t entice. The capital city of Tirana actually looked the most appealing w\/ lots of restaurants, a handful of somewhat interesting sights along with the allure of the nearby Grand Park (an artificial lake surrounded by a 280+ hectare public park). But overall, there really didn\u2019t seem enough to interest me in Albania \u2013 leastwise not enough to warrant the looong cramped fly across (both) the Atlantic and the Mediterranean to eastern Europe.<\/p>\n

Malta too seemed less than seductive. Of course there\u2019s boatloads of YouTube videos (all nearly identical) touting \u201cThe\u00a0 Blue Lagoon\u201d this, and the \u201cBlue Grotto\u201d that\u00a0 (not to mention the absurdly cartoonish \u201cPopeye Village\u201d). And no doubt the combo of Malta\u2019s ancient pink stone ramparts and vividly blue water at every turn is worth a look-see. But again, nothing that was calling my name, nothing that I couldn\u2019t live another lifetime without (um, like the apparently daily disgorge of tourists that the monstrous cruise ships \u2013 often 3+ docking at tiny Malta per day \u2013 each coughing up to 2,000+ passengers!)<\/p>\n

No doubt many would disagree. Indeed, some would likely gasp at the sheer audacity of my presumptions about two perfectly fine destinations that I\u2019ve never even stepped foot in. But what can I say? Each and every one of us has very different druthers when it comes to exploring the world. And after nearly 50 years of pretty much continuously doing just that, I dare say that I\u2019m the most trustworthy person to decide just which place is worth my own precious travel time and dollars.<\/p>\n

Indeed, as a veteran lifelong DIY traveler, I\u2019ve already been uber-duper privileged to have experienced many of the globe\u2019s most extraordinary natural and man-made attractions (Uluru<\/a><\/strong>, Easter Island<\/a><\/strong>, Mongolia<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 I\u2019m lookin\u2019 at YOU!)<\/em> And sure, there are one or two things in Albania and Malta that I\u2019d kinda like to see (and eat!) But anymore, it takes something truly remarkable about a place to capture my attention \u2013 especially if it\u2019s gonna take a big chunk out of my travel piggy-bank to do it. Which leads me to my (near) final reason for chucking a round trip ticket to Paris into the dumpster.<\/p>\n

Tossing Good Money After Bad?<\/h4>\n

So o.k. perhaps I was a bit hasty in slapping my plastic on that (non-refundable) air ticket back in February. Turns out \u2013 after carefully sifting through what-all Albania and Malta have to offer me (and watching the frenetic social media attention that Albania is now getting in spades) \u2013 suffice I was beginning to regret that (not slight amount for this frugal traveler) $732 purchase.<\/p>\n

Not only was I now not overly keen on what Albania and Malta had to offer, but \u2013 when I finally started to add up the full estimated expense for a near month of (ever rising) costs for most everything in Europe\u2026 suffice it was beginning to amount to quite a spendy sum. The rt. air over there was mighty cheap, but then there would be the flight from Paris to Malta, another flight from Malta to Tirana, and yet another flight from Albania back to Paris. Altogether, that $732 initial ticket purchase, was gonna ring-in closer to more than $1,400 for airfare after all. And of course, a month of sleeps, plus food, land transport, and a modicum of museum entries, activities, etc. (not to mention a month\u2019s hire of a sitter for my dear \u201cDulce\u201d)\u2026<\/p>\n

In short, the estimated tab for my little hop back to Europe again was clocking in at (conservatively) $3,500 to $4,500. And for what? To endure another marathon flight to and fro across the Atlantic \u2013 only to see a few mildly interesting (to me) sights? (rhetorical question)<\/em><\/p>\n

And Besides\u2026<\/h4>\n

I have to ask myself \u2013 why do I insist on enduring these pricey protracted excursions across the Atlantic? When\u2026 I\u2019ve already visited 90% of the countries in Europe (not to mention lived in 2 of them). I mean\u2026 where ELSE might I toss all those precious travel dollars?<\/p>\n

When\u2026 there\u2019s plenty of far closer corners of South America I\u2019ve still not explored?<\/p>\n

IOW\u2026 why not instead look to neighboring countries right here scattered around my adopted Ecuadorian home-base? Like\u2026<\/p>\n

Colombia for example\u00a0(comparatively just down the street).<\/p>\n

Colombia, a country I\u2019ve only very briefly dropped into<\/a><\/strong>. A land with a wide variety of diverse corners, but a few hour\u2019s flight from Ecuador. A country where I can get a robust guided food tour for <$40 (vs. the European usual of $80+), and where I have my pick of comfy boutique hotels (with 9+ ratings) often for less than $35\/nt.<\/p>\n

Shoot \u2013 with just a quick search on my neighbor to the north \u2013 turns out Colombia even has eclectic door knockers<\/a><\/strong> much like on Malta\u2019s portals that I was looking forward to ferreting-out (and it\u2019s a LOT shorter flight to see them). Not to mention, a fantastic sanctuary of blushing FLAMINGOS on the north Caribbean coast (a fascinating species I\u2019ve long stalked in other corners of the globe<\/a><\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\"Colombia<\/a><\/p>\n\n

Oh, and the FINAL STRAW<\/h4>\n

Just as I was teetering to \u2018n fro as to whether or not I should shred my round trip Avianca air ticket to Paris come 23 September\u2026<\/p>\n

Avianca kindly handed me the final, dooming answer: They sent me an email informing me that the flight itinerary I\u2019d so carefully chosen nearly 8 months ago (GYE ->BOG ->PARIS) had changed. Instead of departing Guayaquil at 9:45 am (with a 2 hr. layover in Bogot\u00e1) \u2013 my GYE flight would now depart at *4:30 AM*<\/span> in the wee hours of the morning! Yeah, like I can easily shuttle down this 8.400+ ft. mountain from Cuenca to Guayaquil in. the. DARK! And furthermore\u2026<\/p>\n

No change to my onward flight from Bogot\u00e1 to Paris, so now (instead of a sweet 2 hour layover in Bogot\u00e1) I had an *8* hour wait<\/span> in Bogot\u00e1 before boarding my onward 10 hour flight to Paris.<\/p>\n

Oh, and \u2013 though my outbound itinerary was (unilaterally) changed (by the airline, NOT ME) making it effectively *impossible* (even for a 20-something, much less this dodderin\u2019 grandmother) \u2013 nonetheless, it was of course, still \u201cnon-refundable\u201d.<\/p>\n

So \u2013 done and\u2026 DONE!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Absolutely no more dither. No way. I was NOT going to meekly accept the new flight schedule. Indeed, the flight change actually seemed like a \u201csign\u201d. Clearly the entire Paris\/Malta\/Albania dilemma was shuffled permanently off-the-table. Period.<\/p>\n

$732\u2026 kerplunk!<\/em><\/p>\n

So Does This Mean the TravelnLass is Done Traveling?<\/h4>\n

NOT. ON. YOUR. LIFE.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Nosirreeebob. No way is a stray (but once in 50 years!) $732 non-refundable air ticket blunder gonna stop this lifelong wanderlust from bouncing full-speed-ahead to explore ever more corners of the globe.<\/p>\n

Though admittedly I\u2019m slowing down a tad from even just 10 years ago. And true too \u2013 as I\u2019ve never been one to \u201ccount countries\u201d (I ceased that nonsense at 50 \u2018cuz there didn\u2019t seem to be much point) just heading to a new country makes little difference to me unless there\u2019s something there that seriously interests me. So there\u2019s honestly not all that many destinations that are presently calling my name.<\/p>\n

Then again, that could (and historically often does) change in a TravelnLass heartbeat. So do stay tuned to find out if\/when\/where my next skip into the \u201cWild Blue Yonder\u201d will be.<\/p>\n

###############<\/p>\n

*<\/span><\/strong> Ironically: \u201c\u2026the descendants of the colonizing societies which wiped out the nomadic tribes now inheriting that same label and referring to themselves as nomads because they feel it hints at their free spirit and perceived coolness, while they wouldn\u2019t know a first thing about the actual nomadic lifestyle.\u201d<\/sub><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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P.S. It\u2019s a MIRACLE!!<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n

While (AIS in my post) I\u2019d already accepted that I\u2019d rather EAT my $730+ non-refundable air ticket \u2013 than drive hell-bent down a foggy Andean mountain in the middle of the night only to drop an additional $3-4,000 or more to visit two countries that I honestly now had little interest in.<\/em><\/p>\n

Nonetheless, as the days closing in on that nutso (unilaterally changed by the airline) 4:30 *AM* flight departure from Guayaquil drew nearer\u2026<\/p>\n

Honestly \u2013 just for\u00a0 the sheer heck of it (\u2018cuz no way did I expect Avianca would even give me the time of day, much less any sort of refund on my \u201cnon-refundable<\/strong>\u201d rt. air ticket to Paris), nonetheless I shot them a quick refund request via their online trouble-ticket system.<\/p>\n

I simply stated the facts:<\/p>\n

A. I\u2019d deliberately purchased an air ticket way back in February for a (reasonable hour of) 9:45 am departure from GYE with a (reasonable) 2 hour layover in Bogota prior to my (10+ hour) onward flight to Paris.<\/p>\n

B. I live in Cuenca, and there\u2019s no way I should be expected to risk my life driving down a dark\/foggy 8,400+ ft. mountain in. the. middle. of. the night. \u2013 in order to meet the new (didimention \u2013 unilaterally changed?) 4:30 *AM* departure time.<\/p>\n

C. Not to mention\u2026 sit in the Bogota airport for *8* straight hours (vs. the 2 hour layover \u2013 that. I. originally. purchased<\/strong>.)<\/em><\/p>\n


I pressed \u201cSubmit\u201d and figured that would be the end of it. I was 99.9% sure the most I\u2019d receive from Avianca in return would be a bot reply email that started and ended with \u201cSorry, but\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Instead\u2026 <\/em><\/p>\n

LO \u2018N BEHOLD!!!<\/strong> Within a few hours, a real life PERSON at Avianca sent me a detailed note, apologizing for the disruption of my trip, and issued a FULL REFUND of the entire $732 on the spot!!!<\/em><\/p>\n

Seriously. I\u2019m still STUNNED! Never did I dream that they\u2019d refund the ticket \u2013 even in part,\u00a0 much less in FULL!<\/p>\n

In short \u2013 WOO-HOOO!<\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Just goes ta show that apparently even a \u201cnon-refundable\u201d ticket can be mitigated when a great big ol\u2019 airline suddenly changes the rules of the game.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Dyanne\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n


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About the Author<\/h4>\n
\"\"<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

Dyanne<\/a> Off-the-beaten-path travel is my passion,and I\u2019ve always lived life \u201clike-a-kid-in-a-candy-store\u201d \u2013 eager to sample as many flavors as I can. Indeed, my life motto has long been:<\/p>\n

This ain\u2019t a dress rehearsal, folks!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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