How to Make Solid Plans
Make a list of mandatory and optional activities: I make a list of items that I must see, and everything else is optional. I attempt to do the optional activities if I have spare time or energy. Please note that if everything is mandatory, it's not mandatory. For the Peru trip, Machu Picchu was the only mandatory activity.
Add buffer: I add an extra cushion a day before/after flights or city changes for the mandatory events. For Machu Picchu, I gave myself a two-day buffer because it's difficult getting there. This strategy worked out well because even with flight delays, I still made it!
Add redundancy for restaurants: Compile a list of restaurants to check out and make reservations. Especially with Covid, restaurants suddenly close due to unexpected events like running out of supplies. If one restaurant is unavailable, I simply walk to the next one on my list.
Expect things to fail: Humans think too linearly, giving us a false sense of control. In any situation, there are many factors out of our control that can wreck our plans, so the point is not to get upset when things don't go our way. Just pivot and try to make the most of the situation. For example, I almost didn't make it to Machu Picchu because of an employee strike. The employees put rocks on the train tracks to prevent the trains from reaching a critical checkpoint to Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes.
Does that mean I don't plan? Definitely not. Not planning is foolish because you are the victim of other people's plans. I'm just aware that my plans can suddenly change.
Smooth talk: I'm not known for smooth talking, but I learned quickly when I didn't feel like sleeping next to homeless people in the train station! Most "rules" are not concrete. I've managed to get VIP access, money back for non-refundable tickets, and late checkouts (4:30 pm) when I didn't deserve it. Just be nice, smile, connect with the person, and ask politely. Most people want to be nice.
Don't believe me? Go hang out with someone in sales for the day.
