Over the last couple months, I have had very few time obligations, but the majority of the important ones include catching trains, planes, buses, and ferries.  After traveling with early birds as well as late stragglers, I have come to the conclusion that trying to just be simply right on time is really the best method of travel operation.  If too early, valuable friend and sightseeing time goes to waste while you have to wait at a probably dirty and uncomfortable station of sorts.  The implications of being late could result in being stuck outside all night in a sketchy Barcelona bus station (the bus was late, but I was worried).   Lately, this point was illustrated on my trip from Florence to Santorini (a lovely Greek island).  I planned on leaving Florence in the afternoon, but soon was enticed to stay for dinner and catch the later train to Bologna where my flight left from.  I did have to scramble around the train station frantically to locate the correct platform, but because of my sacrifice of a wee bit of sanity, I enjoyed a wonderful dinner of gnocchi with friends.  These escapades continued through the night, like trying to find the hostel (6k out of town of course) before reception closed, and catching the morning bus as well.  Walking through the orange fuzzy early morning circa 5am, the words of my parents echoed in my head: “What is your backup plan?” I laughed to myself because there was no other option to finding the bus station lest I miss my expensive 730am flight and the connecting one in Athens.  This time crunch, however,is necessary for being an efficient and successful traveller.  Without the additional pressure, it is easy to ride aimlessly on buses for four hours  in Lisbon or the like, where if there is no contingency time, you can become more effective and efficient in travel, thus optimizing your experience.  I highly recommend being on time to all, not early.  Sorry Mom.