On August 18th, I said goodbye to my cat and home in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and headed to Chicago with my parents. After the three hour drive, we had only about twenty minutes at the hotel before we were needed to head out to see Book of Mormon. During this time, I decided to check in for my flight. I had booked it online through STA travel, an agency that offers discounts for students and those under 26.
For some reason, I couldn’t seem to find the code necessary to check in online. I called the agency and was given the six digit code, which I punched in along with my name to Air Canada. Still no check-in. At this point, we had to run to catch the 7:30 showing. I was frustrated and anxious about the flight reservation, but managed to relax and enjoy the incredible show!
The morning of my flight, August 19th, I headed to the airport even earlier than planned to speak with a representative of Air Canada. Luckily, it wasn’t busy at all and I was informed that the flight was actually operated by United Airlines. This was very strange to me, because the letters on the boarding pass were AC, signifying Air Canada, but I proceeded to United nonetheless.
The man we spoke with at United, noticing that I was the only one with luggage and had a long stay visa, asked if I was studying abroad. After learning this was the case, he asked if my parents would like passes so they could wait at the gate with me. It was very generous of him and quite the unexpected surprise! We agreed, of course, and luckily had enough time for my Dad to run liquids they had back to our car so they wouldn’t get confiscated at security.
We had a nice meal together at an Italian restaurant where I passed over my beloved iPhone to my Mom (it won’t work for me to have abroad) and showed her the ropes of the smart phone world.
We then proceeded to my gate and before I knew it, it was time to board. I’ve gotten used to saying goodbye because every four months or so, I head to New York for school. But saying goodbye for ten months, headed to a place I’ve never been, halfway around the world and several time zones away is a bit more difficult. It’s tough to be away from my family, but it helps to know that they support me and are proud and happy for me to have the opportunity to go abroad.
Brushing away the tears as best I could, I boarded the hour and a half flight to Toronto. It was pretty uneventful, shorter then my usual two hour flights to and from New York. I wasn’t really nervous at this point, because Canada isn’t too intimidating to me. After I landed, I had to go through customs which took about two minutes tops. All I had to declare was my almonds. Exciting stuff.
Heading to my gate, I couldn’t help but feel a little displaced. It was starting to sink in at this point that my next flight was bound for the great unknown, a country with a completely different language, culture, currency, and way of life, completely foreign to anything I had ever experienced. At this point, I began to get an intense migraine and feel nauseous, to the point that I almost considered not boarding the flight. It was very strange because mentally, I felt fine, not even excited…just calm. I think this was my survival instincts kicking in, so that my brain kept everything together and I didn’t start freaking out over what was about to happen. My body knew better.
After fresh fruit and kale salad (which was DISGUSTING) didn’t seem to help, I bought pain reliever and ginger pills to combat the physical symptoms. I had to take my daily medication around this time so I must have looked so ridiculous sitting at my gate, popping at least four different pills, one by one, and hoping they didn’t make some awful chemical reaction.
The medicine helped a tiny bit, but by the time it was time to board I was literally shaking and felt like I was going to vomit, as though I literally had suddenly come down with the flu. At this point though, there was no way in hell I wasn’t getting on the plane to my dream city. I got to my seat, settled in, and immediately felt significantly better. I think I’ll chalk this one up to nerves. I still ordered Sprite when the drink cart rolled around, but the flu-like symptoms had greatly diminished.
The plane was HUGE compared to the commercial flights I’m used to (I suppose New York to Milwaukee or vice versa isn’t the most popular trips). Each seat had a personal TV which was enough to keep me entertained. Here is my personal list of DOs and DON’Ts of international travel as I experienced it:
DO:
-Wear a maxi dress for the flight. It’s super chic and effortless, yet it feels like you’re wearing a blanket at all times.
-Pack a sweater in your carry on, even if it’s summer. Otherwise you may end up draping the flimsy, pilly, blanket the airline gives you around your arms like a sad makeshift snuggie. Not a good look for international travel.
-Try to speak in the language of where you’re headed. It’s a good way to get excited and also start to get in the mode of speaking.
-Take advantage of the in-flight movies and TV shows. For the price you’re paying, might as well get a couple movies in, and it’s a great way to pass the time and help you relax.
-Try to replicate your natural sleeping position as close as possible, even if that means putting your head in your hands, fully facing the aisle with elbows resting on your legs. As long as you’re comfortable and not disturbing anyone around you, that’s all that matters.
DON”T:
-Leave your screen on when you’re using it. There is an off button, which may or may not have taken me half the flight to figure out.
-Skip the free food. Even if you’re not feeling hungry when the cart comes by, you might get hungry later.
-Feel obligated to take every drink they offer you. You’re not going to die if you’re a little under hydrated, but airplane bathrooms are not pleasant. Airport bathrooms on the other hand, are much more fun.
-Get so excited in the last half hour of the flight that you begin to smile like a maniac and rock in your seat. Your French seat mates will know for sure that you are American. But then again, maybe that’s okay. This is your moment, own your arrival and DO take a second to welcome yourself to your new life.
xoxo
-Jacqui
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