Toblerone

As I type this, I currently sit at a rounded glass table at the destination of our first night in Jamaica. A tucked away paradise coined "Taino Cove". Decked out with a pool, balconies, sun roof, bar, kitchen, patio  and beach front view where I currently hear waves splashing along the coast. On its own, it already sounds impressive, but after the day I've gone through, it's that much more of a treasure.  Let me start off by saying that I'd like to think of myself as a well travelled individual. Don't get me wrong, I haven't been around the world but I sure feel comfortable with the general concept of travel. Which is probably why I always think it's reasonable to leave everything to last minute packing (not); nonetheless, I've gotten used to the constant challenge. Anywho, my tenacity in packing early on accompanied with the anticipation of international travel the next day would result in my sleep deprivation for the day. However, waking up with only 3 hours of sleep would only be the first of my worries for the day ahead of me.   With my breakfast in hand and suticases all packed up, I made my journey up Wittipenn walk to the Howe Center (with the help of some friends) where the shuttle transporting our group to JFK International Airport would be waiting. Thea, our group's coordinator greeted us with the warmest of smiles and unwavering punctuality. Right on schedule, the bus departed at the desired time of 9am to JFK for a flight scheduled to take off at 2:30 pm. It was safe to say we were on track to successfully making it to the airport on time. An hour or so later, we arrived to JFK, got our bags checked, went through airport security and made it to our terminal with 3 hours to kill. By the second hour or so of sitting at the terminal, my stomach began to signal to me that it was time to eat. By this time it was already 1:15 pm or so. Plenty of time to eat I thought. I made my way over to a pasta station at the airport, ordered and paid for the food and made it back to the termiinal within 15 minutes. During my lunch, I heard some friends speaking of grabbing snacks before the plane departed so I told them to give me a couple of minutes and that I'd join them. I finished the remains of my spaghetti carbonara, set my phone to charge and headed out to grab some pre-flight snacks. Little did I know, this would prove to be a terrible mistake. We made it to the store that sold the snacks and purchased our desired chips and candy...well, sort of. During a spark of spontaneity, I begin to scout out a tasteful swiss chocolate named " Toblerone" that a friend gave me a taste of a couple months earlier. Why I was craving Toblerone was besides me ,but I was on a mission and the store  I was in didn't selll the chocolate , so I had to find it elsewhere. I seperated myself from the two friends I walked into the store with and told them I'd catch up. With no phone and no idea where to find this chocolate bar, I set off like a chicken with its head cut off.  Time passed, and I didn't seem to notice. Just when I was about to give up, I caught a glimpse of the triangular shaped container I was looking for and was on my way back to the gate feeling fulfilled. Without any reference of time, I quickened my pace to assure that I make it back to the gate in the promised "soon" I had told my group. As I approached, the seats at the gate were empty and everyone I knew was out of sight. My heart dropped and I was at a loss for words when a I heard a faint, angelic voice say, "Cristian? Are you in there". I turned immediately to see Thea calling into the men's bathroom with hopes that I was in there (considering I didn't have my phone and she had no idea where I was). I turned and responded with relief as she explained that everyone had boarded the plane and that it was ready to depart at any minute. I grabbed my things and ran to the gate without question. I made it onto the plane, found my seat and plopped down feeling sweaty, regretful and embarrased. The silever lining being that damned bar of Toblerone chocolate and the memories that lay ahead.