So, here’s the thing: I thought I had this all figured out. I ordered my ALSA bus ticket online, saw the departure time, and assumed it was leaving from the main bus station. Logical, right? I even showed up fifteen minutes early, feeling all responsible and adult-like.
But then I noticed something weird. My bus time wasn’t showing up on any of the station screens. I looked again at my ticket, and that’s when my stomach dropped. I wasn’t supposed to be at the bus station… I was supposed to be at a bus stop near the train station.
And just so you know, I’m very familiar with ALSA. I’ve taken an ALSA bus plenty of times, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite bus lines in Spain. It’s comfortable, reliable, and they even have a rewards program, because who doesn’t love collecting points that turn into trips?
Also, if you know me, you know I’m always early to everything. I hate rushing. I’d much rather arrive early, grab a coffee, and just enjoy the moment. Life feels way more peaceful that way.
And guess what? My arrival time was exactly when my bus was leaving. Classic.
So there I was, sprinting across town in flip-flops with about fifteen pounds of luggage, and, honestly, a matching amount of emotional baggage. I was running, sweating, spiraling all at once. But somehow, by some miracle, I made it with three minutes to spare.
Except… there were no buses. None. Not even a hint of one.
Naturally, I panicked. I had a quick three-minute breakdown, walked a block, called a friend to talk me off the ledge, then circled back, just in time to see my bus pulling out of the station.
At that point, all I could do was laugh. (Okay, maybe cry-laugh.) Luckily, the solution was simple: buy another ticket for the next bus an hour later. You better believe I camped out at that stop: hydrated, humbled, and not taking my eyes off anything that remotely looked like a bus.
Lesson learned: When you’re in Spain and you book any kind of ticket, especially a bus, double-check the address. Just typing in the city name in the app can sometimes give you a random stop in the city, not the main station. Trust me, save yourself the cardio.
Love always,
American Girl Meet World
