Flying Home

"Because of last minute dificulties to get my ticket, I arrived in Barcelona at midnight, in the train, and no one was there waiting for me. It was the first time that I had traveled alone, but I was not scared. On the contrary, it seemed to me to be an exicing adventure, that profound freedom in the night."

That is an excerpt from one of the novels I read this semester called Nada (I have translated it for you all, of course). I enjoyed the book in general (as it was for my Women's Writers course and is full of feminism!) but I especially liked this passage because I thought it particually applied to my current life.

When I traveled to Spain four months ago, it was my first time traveling on a plane completely alone. But I did not feel scared. I felt capable and independent. It was exciting.

I didn't feel lonely or sad the entire trip....until I exited the Seville airport.

The arrivals gate can be a very happy place. Family and friends waiting for you, excited for you to be home again (and there is always a cute kid with a sign like "Welcome home, Dad!").

But it can also be very sad if you are a study abroad student arriving alone in a new place.

When I first arrived in Seville, I had to face the arrivals gate. It was packed with families waiting for their loved ones. I remember there was even a girl that seemed about my age that was embraced by her family on her return. Now that hurt.

During the semester I traveled a lot as well, but I was always with good friends. However, when we exited the airports, we always had to enounter the crowd of people at the arrivals gate. I usually was too excited about whatever adventure we were having to really stop and notice, but every time the thought did cross my mind that no one was there waiting for me. And every time it made me a little sad.

I don't mind traveling alone, and I actually prefer it sometimes. I like to feel independent and free and think about the world while I listen to Lady Gaga.

But today is different.

For the first time in four months, there is someone waiting for me.

When I get to the arrivals gate in Milwaukee at 11 p.m. tonight, my Dad will be there, waiting for me.

This thought has kept me going through all of the troubles I have had these couple of days. And so now I feel anxious to finally have someone at the gate waiting to give me a big hug. =)