if you ever get caught in a flash flood…

The time I did yoga with 60 strangers in the middle of the desert…

In 2018 I was on a road trip near the Dead Sea with a group of people. We came across the aftermath of a flash flood, which caused a part of the single-lane road to be shut down. Dozens and dozens of cars were stuck in a line just waiting for the water to get cleared so they could continue on. We all got out of our cars to join the masses and were just walking around, making conversation, and passing time.

A few things happened that I will never forget…

1 - We saw a man struggling to walk through the desert area on the side of the road with what looked like a beaten-up motorcycle. We went over to him to see if he needed help, and sure enough he had been in an accident. There were a lot of helping hands around and the group collectively was able to do a quick medical check, help with the minor repairs on the bike, and get him further help. He started to tell us his story and I remember thinking, “This entire delay was worth it just to meet this man and hear his story.”

2 - After that moment I started walking around again and noticed a large group standing in a circle doing yoga. I walked up to one side and asked if I could join. There I was, in another country, caught in the aftermath of a flash flood for 3 hours, doing yoga with a big group of strangers. I remember thinking, “These are the stories that I’ll actually remember.”

With travel, it’s nearly inevitable that things will go wrong. Flights will be missed, plans will have to change, and you just might get stuck in a flash flood. But just remember that it’s all a part of the experience, and can sometimes make the best memories. It’s the people you meet in those moments and the pivot you’ll have to take that will become a central part of your grand travel adventures.

Happy Traveling!