A few years I studied Spanish for a summer in Costa Rica, and one of the girls I met at my school has become one of my very best friends. We were in Costa Rica at the same time, for the same amount of time (I definitely think this was fate) and we just clicked right away. We had so much fun over those four weeks but unfortunately lived on opposite coasts so we never saw one another. One day, she messaged me saying she was planning a trip to South America and asked if I wanted to join her. My immediate answer was YES! Hands down yes. Did I care that I already had a big trip planned that year? No. Did I care that it would be a stretch financially? Nope! Did I care that I was a maid of honor in my sister's wedding weeks after I got back? Absolutely not! (Sorry Kier) For months we spent hours on the phone together; a mix of catching up and planning for our trip. Although we hadn't seen each other in 5 years I was so excited to meet up and take on another part of the world together...
For the most part, I really try travel as economically as possible, but once in a while I will allow myself a little splurge. Which is why, when I got an email from Norwegian Airlines asking if I wanted to bid for an upgrade to business class I said " what the heck! why not?" I kid you not, I made the absolute lowest bid the website would allow and I was absolutely thrilled when they accepted! The upgrade cost me about 200 USD, but seeing as it was a FOURTEEN hour flight to London, I decided it was well worth it. When I got to the airport, I made my way to the airport lounge, an included perk of the business class ticket. Feeling somewhat like royalty, I walked up to the counter, showed my ticket and was admitted inside. In front of me I saw a delicious spread and feeling my stomach turn, I walked up to a worker. "Hi, where can I pay for the buffet?" She looked at me funny and told me that it was complementary. WHAT?! Let me remind you, I am a poor backpacker and t...