The Disconnected Trip

Two years ago, on the way to the airport, days after turning 18 and hours before departing on an Iceland vacation, I forgot the password to my phone. 

I’ll be honest, the first few hours were difficult. I was in denial and utter disbelief that my muscle memory had simply failed me. I had completely forgotten the numbers that unlocked what I felt was my whole world and tool for connection. And yes, how completely Gen-Z of me, but let’s be honest, almost all of us can admit to an overreliance on our devices. 

However, during the 10-day trip with my mom and sister that followed, I soon realized that this absolute fluke was one of the best happy accidents that I, as a traveler, could’ve asked for.