Day 0, The Arrival, with no accommodation, with no car

After landing, finally time to turn off airplane mode and check messages – oh, accommodation canceled...

So now I have to find the right rental car counter first. There are quite a few here. If I have reserved a car with provider A, which is being managed on-site by provider B, who doesn't have a counter of his own, but has the handling at provider C's counter, then luckily my stoic nature helps me remain calm.

The nice employee at the rental car counter was a bit surprised by my appearance and my request for a car. I was indeed at the right company, on the right island, but unfortunately on the wrong day. He told me to come back in a week, as stated in my booking, and then he would have a nice car for me. And if I needed a car now, I would have to call the service number or sign a new contract for five times the price immediately. I guess I was a bit too hasty with my quick car booking.

Now I am standing in front of the airport building in the sun, peeling off my warm clothes. In beautiful weather, surrounded by many other newcomers who are all purposefully heading towards their shuttle buses or rental car parking lots, some even boldly heading for public buses, and I have neither accommodation nor transportation. A young woman asks me about my hotel, wants to help me and point me in the right direction to my shuttle bus, as I must have looked a bit lost. When I tell her that I have no hotel and no rental car, her gaze saves my day – it’s priceless.
What would have been quite complicated or very expensive a few years ago can now be resolved thanks to smartphones and the internet. A shoutout to the modern world.
With my favorite site for cheap rentals, I can already solve the vehicle issue for a manageable price. My second attempt with Airbnb is going better than the first, and I receive a confirmation for a room after a good hour. Good thing I haven't gotten upset so far; everything is fine.