When Things Don't Go as Planned: How to Cope with Setbacks While Traveling

Adapted from a post I started on December 11, 2017; updated November 2022.

Just finished up some early morning yoga & meditation on our second day in Madrid. Unfortunately, i haven't been able to sleep much past 6:30 am for the last few days due to jet lag. It's been really frustrating, because I know my body needs the sleep. I keep crashing in the afternoon.

Today I thought I'd try to make use of these wee hours before my family got up. I went to the living room in our little Airbnb and did a 25-minute basic yoga sequence, followed by ten minutes of meditation. I'm already feeling 100x better as I write this, because I'm struggling with a couple things on this trip so far...

Various things that are messing up my travel plans

• Inclement Weather: It's much colder than anticipated in Spain, rendering about 1/3 of the clothes I brought useless. It rained the full two days we were in Porto. 

• Foot Pain: On the second day, I developed a sore on the back of my left ankle, rendering 3/4 of the shoes I brought unwearable.

• PMS: Somehow, I'm always traveling at that time of the month. It wouldn't be a big deal if it weren't for the fact that I get so moody a few days before, which I tend to take out on the people I'm traveling with. Sorry family. (TMI? Too bad, it affects 50% of the population.)

• Jet Lag: An obvious one. I didn't have my trusty sleeping pills on the 11 hour flight over and got stuck between about five infants/toddlers. 

• Sinuses: A travel doctor recently told me that the two most common ailments when traveling are sinus infections and UTIs. Both have to do with sitting on an airplane for hours on end, with the recirculating air promoting sinus trouble and the long stretches of sitting associated with UTIs. 

So, all of these things are happening for me right now. I only make note of them, because I want to paint a realistic picture of my travel experiences. Instagram makes it all too easy to show a 1-D version of the experience. 

Since this is life at the moment, I wanted to put forth some ideas for overcoming the above obstacles, should you run into them in your travels:

How to prevent things not going as planned

• Pack for life, not Instagram: If you're like me, and all you're bringing is a carry-on and a backpack, fill it with practical items that will keep you warm and comfortable. There are plenty of styles that fit within this protocol. Make comfort your primary rule for each article of clothing, style as a secondary.

• Pack in layers: Whether you're going to the beach or Antartica, layers are always relevant. Making sure that your outfits support a tank top, t-shirt, long sleeve, or sweater is always smart. I've done a few packing lists that might help guide you in this process, which you can find here. 

• Bring emergency prescriptions: While sleeping pills and antibiotics should never be your first resort, access to them when necessary can make or break your travel experience. Of course, I had both on my trip to Bali and didn't really need either. On the flip side, I've suffered from a UTI in Colombia and extreme jet lag/sinus infection in Spain. A doctor at my local travel clinic was able to prescribe me both. 

• Meditate on the nature of travel: Rarely does a two-week international trip transpire without setbacks or changes of plan. If you’re like me and you plan that two weeks down to the hour, it’s useful to remind yourself that even the most carefully laid plans will encounter obstacles. Closures, long lines, immune systems, traffic, inclement weather - all of these and more can thwart your plans. If we can expect and welcome these diversions, we can ward off much of the foul mood that can accompany a setback.

Loved these perspective-changing quotes from an article in Psych Central

What to do when things don’t go as planned?

• Write through it: Luckily, I have this space to vent my frustrations and work through them. It's just as effective to grab pen and paper, identify all of the things bothering you, and either working through solutions or "key learnings." Sometimes, there's not much more you can do with a bad situation than grow from it. But even that can be a comforting thought. 

• Do some yoga: It's so important to stretch after sitting on an airplane or walking ten miles a day (if you don't normally). Either lead yourself or pull up a 20-minute yoga flow on YouTube. Here's a good one.

• Get away & meditate: This is a good idea even when you're not working through frustrations, but significantly more helpful if you are. The alone time helps me be a better travel companion to those I'm with and the meditation helps bring awareness to my attitudes. From there, I'm able to make some of the necessary adjustments to get back into the travel spirit. 

• Practice gratitude: At the end of the day, maybe travel setbacks are a silly thing to even write about, because you're already one of the luckier people on this earth. You're traveling for the sheer pleasure of it! Seeing new places, learning a different language, using your time as you please. Regardless of the small annoyances that may be bogging you down, the list of things to be grateful for is always longer. For me, it's devouring a book in just 4 days, the fact that my mom met us in Madrid safely, our incredibly charming Airbnb, and the unique, intoxicating smell of a European market. 

The Takeaway

So there you have it. An honest account of how life doesn't stop hitting you, even when you've lifted off out of your home city. In fact, sometime we're even less prepared to deal with life's curveballs when on vacation. Being creatures of habit, it's hard not to rely on our routines and fully stocked medicine cabinets when hotel hopping.

I'm hoping that in writing this, I'll take my own advice next time and save a few others from my silly mistakes. One thing i know for sure: many of the common setbacks when traveling can be avoided if you don't forget to pack your noise canceling headphones, neck pillow, emergen-c and sleeping pills on flights > 10 hours. Beyond that, don’t forget to meditate, stretch, journal, and be grateful, my friends.

Do you have any tips for staying present when setbacks happen during vacation? I'd love to hear about them in the comments! If you're digging my suggestions, sign up for monthly BSM email updates in the site's footer below or via the Connect page. 

Summer In London Is Magic. Here's Where To Eat, Drink & Be Merry

I opened my last blog post about London by saying I’m in love, and I’ll do it again. I’m in love with this city! What is it about London that is so incredibly compelling to me? Is it the familiar Western Culture mixed with alluring European distinction that combines to make me feel like this could be my home, yet an endless source of adventure & joy? Is it that both times I’ve been, I’ve encountered not one drop of rain? It’s hard to say.

All I know is I love the grand history mingled with the modern and varietized. I love the energy of walking home at midnight on a Wednesday, the streets still filled with young people talking and laughing and drinking beers outside of the pubs. I love the fashion, all pretty ruffled dresses and white tennis shoes right now.

How fortunate for me that I got to visit this place for four whole days (compared to my last trip was a whole 48 hours) with some awesome people that I happen to work with. 

Although it was a short trip, there were still many memories made & recommendations to be given. My trip in a bottle below:

London Drinks Situation

This was a focal point of the trip, as are most socially-oriented gatherings in my life. I’m actually really trying to cut back in terms of the amount that I drink (and kind of failing miserably). There’s just so many outings that revolve around it. If anyone has advice as to how to create a social life that is less dependent on alcohol for fun, I’m all ears. In the meantime, here’s some of the pretty awesome places that we enjoyed a beverage or four:

• The Coral Room: Located within the Bloomsbury Hotel, this has to be one of the most beautiful interiors in London. True to it’s name, the walls and furniture are all coral or salmon pink, accented with antique details and gold. Drinks are not cheap but nothing really is in London. Probably why this San Francisco girl feels right at home!

The beautiful Coral Room interior.

• Aqua Kyoto: Cute rooftop situation near Oxford Street. It’s also pretty massive in terms of bar space, so big groups work well here. I ordered Paloma after Paloma, as tequila is my new spirit drink (& helps immensely with the jet lag!).

A perfect Paloma at Aqua Kyoto's rooftop bar. Pardon the grown out nails, which are colored in my new favorite: OPI Cajun Shrimp. 

• Archer Street: We were in this bar for a total of 5 minutes, but I’m positive that if I lived here, I would be a regular. It was full of good-looking young people, jam packed at 11pm on a Wednesday, famous for its Broadway-theater actors who bartend on the side and take turns standing on the tables & belting out crowd-pleasers like Journey.
• Lamb & Flag: This is the spot if you’re looking for a traditional British pub that still has a ton of life. It’s picturesque in it’s quaintness, but still has a hoard of people drinking beers and smoking cigarettes on its doorstep. Aka fun. 
• The Shard: The Shard is the tallest building in all of London, and anyone can go to the top for the views if you’re willing to order an(other) expensive drink. We went to Hutong’s on the 32nd floor, which isn’t the highest (52nd is as tall as it gets), but we still felt pretty pleased with the view.

Sunset view from the 32nd floor of The Shard. Drinks ain't cheap, but the view is -- priceless. 

• London Eye Champaign Experience: If you’re going to spend a low key crazy amount to ride the London Eye for 20 minutes, you may as well get the Champagne Experience. You don’t have to wait in line (which can end up taking much longer than the ride itself) and you get a glass of champagne to enjoy as you look down upon the peasants. Roughly $50 per person.

Looking down from the top of the London Eye (champs in hand, bc life is worth celebrating).

• Brewdog: This was a cool, funky little spot in Covent Garden where we stopped to get beers. On a nice day, their upstairs is full of sunlight and the guy who started the place actually started and sold his microbrewery for the largest sum in microbrewery history. Then he started Brewdog. So the beers are pretty good! They also sell hot dogs.

A quick visual recap of where to get your good times on.

London Hotel Situation

• St. Martin’s Lane: I stayed here and was very pleased with the experience. Very modern hotel, much like The Standard or a Virgin Hotel with its funky oversize furniture pieces and retro décor. The rooms are beautifully white & modern, though a bit teensy. Nice & quiet at night and in the cutest area.

My bright, minimal room at St. Martin's Lane Hotel in London.

• The Bloomsbury: Most of my coworkers stayed here, so I became very familiar with it. Home to the gorgeous Coral Room and other beautiful spaces, it’s classic charm is pretty sumptuous & irresistible. I may try to stay here next time.

London Shopping Situation

• Covent Garden: Candles, tea, restaurants, other quirky shops. Very lovely setting, fun to wander.
• Seven Dials: Upscale boutiques, some big brand names (Vans, Urban, etc.), buncha shoes, fairly spendy. I loved this one little novelty shop called Magma. They had a bunch of stuff from this company called The School of Life that seeks to develop emotional intelligence with their products. An obvious fit for BSM.

Seven Dials inner courtyard. Saw some definite IG models doing their photo thing here.

• Oxford & Regent Street: All of the big brand names. Crowded and chaotic streets in the summertime. Didn’t spend much time here but would if I needed to do a legit shopping expedition.

London Food Situation

This was more of a social/professional trip than a cultural/foodie trip, so there weren’t many super notable culinary experiences. I don’t actually love traditional British food anyway, so it didn’t feel like too big of a miss. A few stick out though:

Classic English food just doesn't rev my engine. That's fried cheese on the plate & this is a healthy item!

• Bombay Bustle: Incredible Indian food & “Derailed” tequila-based drink. I went with a group of 13 and has 6 delicious courses. London is famous for their Indian food.
• Shake Shack: I know this isn’t even local to Europe, but as someone from San Francisco where we don’t yet have our own, it felt right to get this for lunch two days in a row.
• J. Sheeky: I wont say I had the best meal in the world here, but it is something of a London classic and clearly so, because we saw both Stella McCartney & that actress from Three Billboards finish their meals while we were eating. It’s on the spendier side.

J Sheeky, the apparently esteemed London eatery (movie stars eat here).

Mindful Travel Situation

Traveling for work is both an enormous blessing (one that I’ve wanted my entire life) and an exhausting lifestyle. In order to accept the yin with the yang, I try hard to maintain some sort of mindfulness practice while I’m traveling for work. That means finding time for my brain and body.

• Innerspace Meditation Shop & Space: I stumbled on this little gem while exploring the Seven Dials shopping area near my hotel. The first floor is a bookstore on all things mindfulness and meditation. The basement has a free, public meditation space, as well as a classroom where they run workshops. I took some time to leaf through a few books and felt inspired by the positive energy in the words.
• Insight Timer meditation: With all of the drinks and socializing that come with team offsites, it’s extremely important for me to get away, get some alone time to clear my head and find myself again. I found on this trip that meditating helped me feel more alert when I was crazy jet-lagged and also helped me pull back on the drinking once I’d realized it was just making me feel worse, not more fun.

It's not about what you're doing, it's about who you're with. But doing cool things helps!

• Gratitude journal: Just a few words at the end of the night about all there is to be grateful for really enhances my experience of life, no matter where I am. I have a naturally down disposition, so practicing gratitude helps get me up and stay up.
• Morning run: Part fitness, part plan to beat jetlag. I woke at 5:30 am on Tuesday morning, so decided to go on a run to explore the city and do something good for my body after the 10 hour plane ride. It felt really good to sweat, and it was such a fun way to explore the city.

Casual architectural sighting on my morning jog around London.

• 10K steps or bust: When in a new city, there is no excuse not to get at least 10K steps every day, because you should be exploring! If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself on vacation in a city that is not your own, you owe it to yourself and the place you’re visiting to give 10,000 steps to these new streets. Fill your eyes and your heart and your mind with the new experience. Absorb it through your feet as you walk. I know this sounds corny, but I believe this wholeheartedly. Try taking everything in with your whole being, rather than just your eyes and your mind. Feel the experience physically, viscerally. Walking helps me do this.
• Only indulge in what’s worth it: For me, that was Shake Shack. It used to be that when I would go on vacation, I would stuff my face at any and all occasions because I was on vacation, okay? It would leave me feeling overly full & lethargic, to the point where I was no longer enjoying the new experiences and just feeling guilty about pigging out. Now, I try to prioritize fruits, veggies, & protein while traveling, until the fancy dinner or delicious dessert opportunity. Even then, I try to eat mindfully and only indulge until I start getting full. Try being the operative word here, but that’s all being mindful asks.

After my second successful trip to London, I think that if I were to pick up and move anywhere tomorrow, it would be here. Where would you go if you had to do the same? What city in this big ol world calls to you? Let me know in the comments.

Up Next: Read Dealing With Travel Setbacks

Lisbon, Portugal: Itinerary & Tips

Overview

Who// me, my mom, & my grandparents

What// a three-day stretch of our twelve-day vacation 

Where// lisbon, portugal

When// december 15-18, 2017

Why// when i studied abroad, lisbon was one of my friends' favorite destinations in all of europe, but i never made it there! we made it a priority on our spain/portugal trip. 

How// we took a 3-hour train from porto to lisbon 

My favorite photo I took in Lisbon. Captures the colors, history, and water. 

Details

Where to stay:

• Neighborhood// Bairro Alto 
• Airbnb// our Lisbon Airbnb was our favorite on the trip! Check it out here. 
• Hostel// Poet's Hostel, recommended by a friend

The view out my bedroom window in our Airbnb was insane.

What to eat:

• Breakfast// make your own eggs, fruit, fresh squeezed OJ
• Lunch// Paco Real 
• Lunch// Restaurante Cantinho da Rosa
• Lunch// LX Factory
• Lunch or Dinner// Time Out Market
• Dinner// ByTheWine
• Dinner// Bairro do Avillez

Incredible salted caramel dessert at Bairro do Avillez. A must. 

Really cool ambiance at ByTheWine.

Our spread at Bairro do Avillez! Served family style. 

What to do: 

• Sandeman's free walking tour
• Bike to Belem 
• Explore the LX Factory
• Take a tuk tuk tour 
• "Cooking Lisbon" cooking class
• Drinks at PARK bar
• Day trip to Sintra
• Go out on The Pink Street
• Couple more ideas courtesy of Refinery 29 here

A church in Lisbon's historic Alfama district, which we toured on our tuk tuk ride. 

The perfect three-day itinerary: 

Day 1: Walking Tour & Belem

• Make or grab a quick breakfast
•  Start with a free walking tour
  • We did Sandeman's New Europe, starting at 11 am 
  • ~15-30 euros suggested donation 
• Grab lunch at Paco Real 
  • Our tour guide took us here, just a few minute walk from Praco do Comercio
  • Order the house cod! Cod is a specialty in Lisbon 
  • ~10 euros 
• Bike to Belem 
  • Rent bikes at Lisbon Bike Rental (near Time Out Market) for nine hours 
  • Follow the bike path along the Tagas River to Belem
  • Check out the monuments, tower, and monastery in Belem
  • Take your time, grab coffee or a glass of wine at one of the waterfront cafes, maybe read a book in the park once you get to Belem
  • 15 euros 
• On the way back, stop at the LX Factory
  • About halfway between Belem and Lisbon 
  • Warehouses renovated into shops, boutiques, and an open air market
  • Tip: Allow at least an hour or two here, come hungry, and bring cash! 
  • Note: From the bike path, you have to cross a foot bridge over the train tracks to get to LX. There are bike rails on most of these bridges. Make sure to cross back over the bridge when you leave LX, as the paths get really narrow and are completely cobblestoned on the street side. Not enjoyable.
• Have dinner at Time Out Market
  • There are so many options here, but I had two delicious meals below: 
    • Henrique Sa Pessoa: Green pea soup with jamon & herb croutons, mushrooms stuffed with chorizo, topped with jamon & quail egg, and red wine

      • Gourmet delicious, healthy, filling...zero complaints

      • 15 euros

    • O Prego Da Peixaria: Wagyu beef with bacon, cheddar, & basil mayo, sauteed veggies

      • SO GOOD, but one of the only things in Europe that made my tummy hurt after

      • 11 euros

• Stop by Ginjinha Bar to try the establishment's namesake, ginjinha, which is a sour cherry liquor unique to Lisbon 

Chafariz do Carmo, an 18th-century fountain in the middle of a little town square. 

One of the monuments on the way to Belem.

Stop by the new MAAT museum, also on the way to Belem! 

Lisbon's fake castle peeking through an ancient alleyway. 

Little treats at the LX Factory.

And amazing ceramics like I've never seen before. 

Your walking tour ends at Praca do Comercio, right on the water. During Christmas, there's a big tree in the center!

Lunch at Paco Real of house cod, veggies, salad & white wine. 

Dinner at Henrique Sa Pessoa of soup, mushrooms, & red wine. 

Day 2: Tuk Tuk Tour & Cooking Class

• Make or grab a quick breakfast
• Explore and shop 
  • Likely, you'll have passed a ton of cute stores and shops at this point in your explorations. Make sure to give yourself some time in Lisbon to take full advantage of the fashion and hand made goods! 
• Get lunch at Restaurante Cantinho da Rosa
  • Recommended by our tour guide as a local, yummy, and affordable spot in Bairro Alto
• Grab a tuk tuk in any of the popular tourist areas
  • They're available down by the waterfront in Praca do Comercio or near the Armazéns do Chiado shopping mall 
  • Go for a tour that explores the Alfama and more historic Lisbon. Ask your driver to take you to the highest point in the city at sunset, and down the Avenida da Liberdade if it's during Christmas-time. Trust me on this one. 
  • If you're lucky like us, you'll have a driver that doubles as a tour guide. He even dropped us off at our cooking class at the end of our ride :')
  • 40 euros total 
• For dinner, take a cooking class at “Cooking Lisbon” 
  • We were the only people in our class (winter in Europe smh), but still a good idea to sign up beforehand
  • For our meal, we made yummy duck/chicken croquettes, potato cabbage soup, cod fish casserole, & a light, fluffy cake. We drank lots of wine, too!
• Finish your night with a city-view drink at PARK Bar
  • On the top/sixth floor of an active parking structure
  • Very young & hip, but I also saw backpackers & families come through, so I think everyone is welcome
  • Includes a glassed-in bar, plastic encased area, and outdoor rooftop view
  • Tip: Need to take the dingy metal elevator to the fifth floor and walk the rest of the way up to the sixth floor

Awesome Portuguese shop called Feeting Room. 

Street view of downtown Lisbon. We finally found the blue sky here! 

A tram transports people up the steep hills of Lisbon. The graffitti is a staple of the country. 

Incredible view from the highest point in the city. Our tuk tuk driver took us here to watch the sunset. 

Cooking Lisbon course #1: cabbage soup with duck croquettes.

Cooking Lisbon course #2: codfish with potatoes. 

Cooking Lisbon course #3: light & fluffy Portuguese cake. 

The view from PARK Bar's rooftop. Not a great photo, but you can still feel the cool vibes of this place! 

Day 3: Day Trip to Sintra

• Make/grab a quick breakfast
• Meet your tour group at the prescribed location 
  • We didnt actually have time to do Sintra (le sigh), and I'm sad about that
  • I know you can book this through Sandeman's New Europe, who we did our walking tour with
• Spend the day exploring Sintra
  • I have the below synopsis from a friend: 
  • There’s bunch of different castles and old forts etc. Through my tour group we only saw two, which apparently are the only two that are really worth seeing:
    • Sintra Pena Castle: Beautiful, old, colorful castle with great views. 20 minute hike to the best ones, so wear comfy shoes.
    • Quinta a Regaleira: Historic estate with a romantic palace and chapel. You can walk through their amazing gardens with grottos/caves built in. Very cool. 
• Get dinner at Bairro do Avillez
  • Recommended by the Airbnb host
  • Huge space, including a restaurant, bar, patio, etc.
  • Somewhat touristy/upscale Portuguese, but fun and delicious

Never stop getting fresh squeezed OJ! These machines are everywhere, including grocery stores & the airport!

Action shot of Mom & I from our walking tour. I need to get better at posing for photos. Until then, it will be selfies. 

World's cutest grandparents, taken at dinner at Bairro do Avillez.

Why you'll love it:

• Shopping. It's just excellent here. Make sure you leave room in your bag. 
• Veggies. It's not always easy to work these in while traveling, but I didn't have trouble at all in Lisbon!
• Climate. This was the farthest south and closest to the water we got on our trip, meaning it was the most temperate. This mattered very much to us after spending three frigid days in Madrid and two rainy ones in Porto.
• History. Their colorful streets are full of history. Even though most of the city was leveled in an earthquake in 1755, Portugal remained neutral during WWII, meaning much of their recent history remains intact. 
• Reminiscent. If you've spent any time in San Francisco, Lisbon is kind of a trip. They're so similar! The red bridge, the marina built on nothing, the earthquake that leveled the city, all the hills and trams, the temperate climate and colorful homes...it's kind of crazy the commonalities between the two. I had fun comparing and contrasting. 

If you're thinking about traveling to Portugal, check out my post on everything Porto here! For more travel guides as they come, sign up for monthly email updates.