Flight deLAy on new year's day!

I experienced flight delays once, but instead of getting irritated that entire day, it did the opposite, it was something a very wonderful experience! Back in 2005 in one of my vacation trips, I was about to return to the United States from the Manila International Airport, Philippines, when me, with other passengers were informed by our airline that the flight had to be canceled for some unavoidable circumstances. Of course, at first, I was very unhappy about it. Just after the announcement regarding the delay, our airline offered each one of us a hotel room where we can stay for the main time for free. I was amazed to see the room given to me. By the way, it was in the Manila Hotel -- this is one of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in the Philippines. I've also heard that this is one of the favorites of the wealthy and people with ranks from different parts of the world whenever they come to visit the Philippines. The room was large, fancy and artistic. It's very well designed with its carpeted floor, painted and wall papered walls matched the room nicely, nice bath bathroom with comfortable bath tub. The room is super neat too, and through its glass walls, I could over-look the beautiful and large city of Manila. All the areas in the hotel were carpeted, from the lobby to alleys and stairs. On the lobby, there were elegant restaurants of different cuisines, such as Italian, Japanese, Chinese, American restaurants, etc. Big and bright chandeliers were everywhere. When I saw this fancy hotel, the irritation I had felt at first because of the delayed flight was immediately replaced with excitement, wishing the delay would take longer. Unfortunately, the delay only took one night. Normally, every time I travel, I would only stay in hotels which are nice enough but never fancy. Sometimes, encountering delays is not bad, as long as the effect to our schedule is only slight, but of course, too bad when we have to rush to our destination for important events, emergencies, meetings, or back to work, etc. It depends on the situations. However, in most cases, 'delays' are irritating, but the effect to us depends on how we manage it. We can reduce its irritating effect by being more patient, calm and well prepared. Always bring with us emergency money, well-charged cellphone, extra clothes and medicines, etc.

Yes I had that happen once before. I was trying to go to Disney World about 12 years ago and our plane was sitting on the tarmac waiting for takeoff. The problem was that it was snowing heavily and we already had 7 inches of snow on the ground. We had to wait on the plane for the crew to come de-ice the plane before we could takeoff. Needless to say I was a nervous wreck that day.

I've never been on an airplane.

It's true in life often things don't go as planned. But when you look back on the experience you can see the lessons learned by the change. Have you ever missed a serious accident by being a little bit late?