I slept maybe three hours. Possibly less. The kids could not settle, and getting a room took longer than expected. While waiting in the lobby late at night, I did an ice session. Not ideal, but necessary.
The morning added another layer of stress. The ride that was supposed to take us to the airport never showed up. Tension was building, but my son stepped in and helped me manage the situation. Watching him naturally take care of someone who needed support was one of those quiet moments that stay with you. Kids learn fast when life puts them in the right situations.
At the airport, more delays appeared, this time with wheelchair assistance. It had been requested for the flight we missed, but not automatically transferred to this one. Logic would suggest it should be, but reality disagreed. Lesson learned. Always double-check and confirm assistance directly with the airline.
I got a good seat again, first row. Economy this time, but for my knee it felt close enough to business class. Space makes all the difference when movement is limited.
We arrived in Taipei and took a taxi into the city. Lunch hour, crowds everywhere. On the way back, we used the metro. That was a mistake. Too many people, too much movement, too many accidental bumps against my crutches. Walking through crowds like that adds stress the knee does not need. Taxi next time, without question.
By the time we got home, jet lag hit hard. Ice, elevation, and finally sleep. No heroics today. Just recovery.
Key Takeaways
- Lack of sleep amplifies stress more than physical pain
- Always confirm wheelchair assistance for every flight segment
- Extra legroom dramatically improves long travel days
- Crowded public transport increases physical and mental strain
- Kids often rise to responsibility when given the chance
- Choosing the easiest option is sometimes the smartest recovery move