Life always throws a curve ball

My life has been anything but conventional...

my travelling also seems to reflect that.

It all started the day I left Cuba. Waking up I decided to take a stroll into Havana Veja, eat at my favourite cafe in my favourite square and plan my adventures in Mexico - with a morning Mojhito in hand of course.... 'When in Rome...'

Prior to leaving the casa, I spoke with Elisa (the lady who had made me breakfast and became a champion at charades) to organise my trip to the airport. Sign language and 20 minutes of Pictionary later it was agreed that I would pay 20 cucs and Silvio (the man of the house) would drive me to the airport. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Pick up time 1pm in time for my 4pm AirMexico flight. So.....refreshed from my brunch and humming Nora Jones, I showered, packed and waited for Silvio downstairs watching 'Once Upon a Time' - my favourite TV show; for those who don't know, I'm a Disney Princess at heart and a forever romantic/lover of a good fairytale - My favourite film of all time is still The Princess Bride :)

Tick Tock,  Tick Tock, Tick Tock...it was 1:15pm. ''Auto?" I said, gesturing the 10 to 2 hands like they drive in the old movies. "Sì sì Ehma...auto parallela..." I interpreted this as 'yes Emma, he's just parking the car....Stop being a crazy anal Brit and sit with a bit of patience.'

Tick Tock, Tick Tock....1:58pm. Someone came to the door but it still wasn't Silvio. Rather anxious by now, I was starting to sweat.... NO NOT AGAIN, I CAN'T MISS MY FLIGHT 3 YEARS RUNNING! I can't recall exactly what I blubbered to Elisa next but I'm pretty sure she thought I was bonkers. I ran into the street asking anyone who walked past 'Est'ce que tu parles anglais? ' Wait no that's French!!!! Why didn't the Wakeman School teach Spanish or more importantly why was I too lazy to learn the most widely spoken language in the world!?!?!?!

I ran outside and found an old man who spoke some broken English. In my panicked state, I tried as calmly as possible to convey my message of urgency and get to the airport. He called over a friend who agreed to take me to the airport for 30 cucs. With only 25 on me I pleaded for him to drive me offering my rings (worthless really- silver I'd picked up at market stalls in the countries I visit.) Sì sì sì, he took me. In normal circumstances I would have appreciated the speed but here and now without a seat belt, interior exposed or even panels on the dashboard, I was literally holding on for dear life - like the rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach that you once loved until you became old enough to watch the news or search fairground accidents on Google.

Not knowing my terminal, I was in quite a bit of a pickle. The poor gentleman who was a star to the end despite my being a flustered so and so drove me.....but to arrivals  'No, no, salida ' I motioned with a plane take off sign. He shrugged and I began to weep.

Why oh why every year do I attempt at proving I am brave?

A lady gave me a smile and listened through my tears. 'Departures is through this gate past the arrivals at the top of the escalators'...I was gone.

Sprinting through security I set up camp on the floor next to my gate. I still needed to buy my flight to Mexico City where Rocìo would be meeting me. Sprawled on the floor like a child I was surrounded by my tablet, wallet, 2 credit cards, my UK mobile, my Cayman mobile, passport, yoga mat and backpack.

Yes (MINI CELEBRATION) I had booked next week's flight...for May 8th 2017!!!!!!! Ughhhh!

I hadn't been aware of anything other than my stupidity. On the other side of the concourse, N was watching me. God knows what he thought. Even now I know he's too polite to be truthful. As it was he was sat in the opposing isle of the plane. I recall catching his eye briefly as he showed a deaf couple pictures of his family. It was his kindness that I had noticed first.

Landed at Cancun airport, a flight attendant had stuck me in the wrong immigration queue. 15 minutes later I was redirected to the back of the correct one, the long one. N winked and lifted back the barrier sneaking me through to the front. We exchanged pleasantries... 'Hi, how are you? Where do you come from? What are your plans in Cancun?' I explained I was due to get a bus to Playa del Carmen and figured I would sort out accommodation when I arrived. N thought this was rather brave/stupid and so invited me to dinner and I would organise my plans then. He too didn't know where he was staying as it had been arranged for him. He went outside, spoke with an agent and minutes later we were driven to Nizu. Queue: lift up my jaw. 

This place was beautiful. N booked a room for me where I could shower and freshen up then we were driven to the most amazing fish restaurant.

Everything about dinner was perfect.

The following day we met up for breakfast where I also met A, an employee of N's. They spoke a bit about business and then we shared the story of how we met - I doubt A believed us.

N had a few meetings that morning so I tried desperately to reschedule my flight for the correct month and year. N later returned and offered yet another proposition 'How would you feel about coming to New York and hanging out with me and A for a couple of days.....I'll fly you back here to Mexico or wherever you choose, it's your decision.'

I recall watching a very bad Jim Carey film... 'Yes Man.'

"Ok" I answered. And so I was going on an adventure.

We flew to New York, chauffeured in a Maserati, ate at amazing restaurants, I was able to practice at an amazing shala in Upper West Side Manhatten and I even managed to drag the boys along to Cirque du Soleil for the evening. I was treated with such kindness, respect, and acceptance.

Our final day together was lunch at the Hillstone restaurant. The boys were bickering over our next steps. N wanted for us to go to Vegas for the weekend but A was tired and he was coming down with flu. In the end it was agreed that I would head to Miami for a few days and then fly onto Mexico City where I would meet Rocìo.

So, that's what happened. Now in Mexico I'm trying to process the whirlwind of the past weeks.

In my passport I'm Emma Louise, at school I'm Miss Winter, on social media, Winty Winterson but this week I've felt like Vivian Ward.

Always be open to the new, weird and wonderful possibilities life throws at you - curve balls are always the most exciting!