Flight to New York 5:30am
Day one. I had been planning all year for this moment. To go travelling solo, around the world trip. My mum was fully supportive, encouraged me to take the step and even agreed, thankfully, to drive me to the airport to say our goodbyes.
It had been a mass of mixed emotion from the day I started to tell everyone of my plans to leave and travel. The beginning of my 20’s had been a rough couple of years, from a serious break up from a 5 year relationship with my ex boyfriend and the year of heartbreak I endured. I tried to buy a flat which fell through. I knew this was my chance to do what I had always dreamed about from the age of 18.
At first I had no idea what I was getting myself into. My first stop was an evening with an STA agency who helped me plan my route and how realistic my funds were. I originally planned to book through them directly however I began to research and read so many blogs or sites against agencies and that going alone and booking as you go was the best way forward.
I then found a company called Airtrek who found multiple flights for you at a good deal and book you on them so you should hopefully save money and stress in the long run. Booking 6 month ahead a flight to New York, Vancouver to Auckland, Christchurch to Melbourne. A skeleton plan. I was not overly impressed with the consultant who spoke to me but nevertheless I proceeded and made my first big payment. The consultant then sent me an email which was a nice layout showing all my flights, dates and times.
I was, at the time, working in London for my company for 6 years I decided to ask my work if they would consider allowing me to go on a years sabbatical. I was doubtful of the prospects. When I approached my director I was so nervous, I was shaking. My anxiety levels had gone through the roof. But I thought you don’t ask you don’t get, right?
Amazingly they supportively accepted and drew up a contract which stated that my current job was secured for me when I come back in 12 months. I couldn’t believe it and I was so thankful of the encouragement I was given by the whole of my companies directors, managers and colleagues.
I told my family of my plan, I felt at first no one really took me seriously. I had spoke about doing this so many times and never had the guts or the money to go through with it. As time got closer to the day of departure family started to express their worry of me being alone and how unsafe it was. Which I understood to an extent but the world can be a dangerous place. I felt I had the common sense not to get myself in any trouble. You need to just be streetwise and aware of your surroundings. I met up with friends and we all said our farewells.
My uncle and auntie sent me a wonderful letter expressing there feelings, saying they were so happy for me and that it would be the best decision I would ever make. It gave me a huge confidence boast and was so nice to hear this from them. They had generously gone out there way to exchange some dollars and included this. It was so thoughtful and I was honestly so touched by there kindness.
My dad was very anti-trip which I was kind of surprised about as he had travelled so much and also spoke about his trip when he was young with my uncle to the USA. Through the year we never really spoke about what I was planning and when we did it would end in a disagreement. I guess it was his “baby girl” in his eyes and he was scared and worried. Leading up to and on the day of my flight my dad was away in Scotland. We spoke on the phone. He apologised for not being there and told me to be safe and have fun.
We arrived at Gatwick airport where my best friend Lauren met me, she was also with her mum. About a week before, Lauren had called me and said she was coming to New York with me where she would meet a guy, Mike, who she met on her previous holiday to New York. Mike was a pilot from Buffalo who also worked in New York from time to time. She planned to move in with him for 3 months.
It didn’t take long for my very first mistake to happen. After waiting in a long queue we reached the check-in desk. They asked for passport, visa and proof on onward travel which I confidently passed over to them. They advised me that the visa was a 90 day visa and that my flight booked out of Vancouver, Canada was 2 days over my allowed stay. I asked the lady if it was possible to use a bus ticket out of America into Canada. She apologised and declined. My only option was to book a new flight, too expensive, or change my current flight which was a booking through Airtrek. However in such short notice I wasn’t sure this was possible. A state of panic kicked in. I tried to stay calm.
I proceed to call the Airtrek helpline which took over 45 minutes to get through and explained the situation. The lady on the phone stated she would need to check this and get back to me. I agreed however I said I would wait on the phone for her to confirm it had been done. I waited a further 30 minutes. I was beginning to run out of time and the check-in desk was about to close. The lady finally took me off hold and advised that it was possible for a fee. I stressed to her that I needed the renewed ticket by email urgently. After going back and forward, the lady said she had sent the email. It was 3 minutes before the check-in desk closed! The staff at check in were holding out for me as they knew the situation. They were also relieved as well as I was that I managed to change the ticket date. They told me I needed to run to the gate to make my flight.
In a sprint I quickly said good bye to my mum, hugged and left her. She later on told me she was wandering around the car park looking for her car in a daze. She said after the commotion at check-in, it had made her so confused and stressed. I hadn’t even left the country, she must have had pure fear for my well being. We look back now and laugh about it. While my mum had her problems trying to remember where she parked. I ran as fast as I could to the gate. I was the last person to board. I frantically found my seat. Lauren had already boarded the plane. The relief that I had just made the flight by the skin of my teeth. Lauren apologised that she had to leave me, I told her to not be silly and that she had to get on the flight just in case I missed it. At the moment I was just happy to see her face and to be sat in my designated seat.
Sarah’s Voyage 