As I just arrived in London, I already thought my journey was missing something. What crazy thing could I give to myself? First I plan to visit the United Kingdom, then fly to Portugal to go back to London and finally return to Iceland. A new country? Why not! And maybe with a little gig with it? Why not coconut! It's decided, I will see Mumford and Sons in Madrid. I will be in Portugal anyway, it won’t be THAT hard to get there..? If I had known!

I arrived in Faro, Portugal, somewhere in March 2013. The airport smells the flowers, and the sun sets in the distance, orange and pink. I already love this part of the world. The hostel is fantastic; warm, friendly, and very beautiful. Everything is white, made of wood, and a beautiful terrace allows us to enjoy the sun or the coolness of the evening. I spend two days in Faro; one at the beach and the other visiting the town. My bus to Madrid leaves at the end of these two days ... at 2am.

So I prepare my luggage for my departure. Lucky, the staff at the reception of the hostel even propose to make my lunch for breakfast! [Seriously, the Casa d'Alagoa, in Faro, is worth it!] I reach the bus stop (on the side of the street, without a panel, a little shabby at that time of the night) at around 1:30 am. I expect the bus number 60, which will leave at 2 a.m.

2:30. Still no bus number 60. Only the 1 and the 36. What to do? I try to ask drivers. I say "I try", because I do not speak a bit of Portuguese. I know how to make my way in French, English, Spanish, German and even Mandarin would be better now. But NOT PORTUGUESE. I repeat: "Madrid, Madrid. I'm going to Madrid ». One of the drivers pushes me on a bus. I hear him say to his colleague (and I understand, by some miracle): "Anyway, she will have to change buses in Lisbon. ". Lisbon? I was supposed to leave from Faro, make a stop at Albergaria, then off to Spain and Madrid. It's late, I'm tired, okay, I will analyze the situation once in Lisbon.

Lisbon 5 a.m. At the bus station, everyone leaves the bus. Well, where should I go? I ask the driver. No luck, I have a quick response in Portuguese. English? No English? Spanish? No Spanish? Good. I ask someone else. Same thing. The bus is completely empty, the lights are closed for maintenance. Ahhhh! What do I do? 5 a.m. in a city I do not know, I might miss my correspondence and, at the same time, the show. Who knows how often buses go to Madrid?

The employee responsible for the maintenance of the bus gets in. I try my luck again: "Madrid, I'm going to Madrid! ". Answer in Portuguese. But ... that accent! " You speak French? « Yessss! "My dear, you made a very bad choice," he told me, taking me by the hand (literally). I doubt it! "Go get your ticket to the wicket, but if it does not work, make your way to the platform number 7 at 6:30. " Yes sir! Thank you, a thousand times thank you.

The ticket works and 6:30, I'm at platform number 7, ready to sail to new adventures (positive this time, I hope). The bus leaves again, I have another correspondance to take at Albergaria, as expected. Finally, the trip will be well now! But...

Puncture. Seriously? Now? The hours keep stretching. It's impossible. Murphy must have something to do with it! I’ll definitely miss my concert. The driver makes calls. Faaast! Luckily, the bus will be waiting for us in Albergaria before leaving.

Albergaria. The bus exchange is done quickly. NOW, everything will be fine. I arrive in Madrid around midnight. I normally like to walk to my hostel, but now ... I leave the station and I can not even find the first street on my instructions. Too bad, it will cost me a few euros, TAXI!

Arrival at the hostel. I have a nice quiet room with a couple of friendly Argentineans. I go to the common room to send a few messages. I meet Benjamin, an African guy who would like to ... take me to Ghana. No. No. And no. 2 a.m. That's enough for today. Goodbye Benjamin, good night, rest of the Earth.

The show has been worth it in the end! And also, the delicious churros discovered in a small chocolate factory... I leave the day after the concert. The trip will be the same for the return. But now I know what to expect and I know what to do, where and when!