Out of the River and Into the Ocean
Some people say that parents can only do so much in helping a person be the person they were meant to become, and that the ability to mature and grow up lies in that their own hands. I never really thought much about what they said until I experienced the feeling of travelling 7,000 miles across the pacific all alone. As I stepped onto the airport, the bustling noises of the airport filled my ears. I was sixteen years old at the time and the prospect of travelling by myself made me nervous. The smell of gasoline and other industrial odors made up the majority of what noses picked up from outside. The air outside was arid and hot. It was summer so the heat of the day wasn’t a surprise. This was my first time traveling by myself. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling nervous. Idle chatter and conversations could be heard from the many people within. The pitter patter of feet and rolling of wheels filled the halls. From outside, the faint whirring sound of a plane’s engine could be heard.
People from around the world moved with purpose. It was like a melting pot of different cultures and ethnic groups all going to visit places where the culture and environment are completely different to what they are used to. Men, women and children headed towards the gates that lead them to their destinations. Crowds of people swarmed the airport, hastily trying to go somewhere. It was like a sea of varying colors, each person having a unique shade to them, whether it be on their clothes or their skin. Shops and restaurants lined the walls, adding vibrant colors and visual displays to the interior. Restaurants released a wide variety of savory aromas from their shops. Reds, blues, oranges and a myriad of other colors painted the shop exteriors, their wide array of colors resembling a rainbow. I arrived at my gate only to see that nobody else was there to await the boarding process. “Funny” I thought to myself “Am I the only one flying to Manila?” I probably would have missed my flight if it weren’t for the T.V. screen that showed my flight had moved gates. The new gate was a ways away from where I stood so I hurried off, hoping that I would make it just in time for my departure. Frustrated and nervous, I urged my body to walk faster, praying that my flight didn’t leave without me. I carried with me a month’s worth of clothes in my bag which only increased my exhaustion. As time passed my legs began to feel like they were made of lead. At last, I arrived at my gate. Relief swelled from within as I arrived on time and without any complications. Those who were headed to the same destination began to board the plane. We all took our seats and awaited take-off. The flight was lengthy, about 12 hours of flying but the long journey made the arrival all the more sweeter.
On that day, I learned that maturity, perseverance and a good mindset can help anyone get through any obstacle, no matter how hard they may be. After going through the experience of traveling by myself and learning how to move around an airport on the fly, I felt more confident. This entire experience made me feel more mature and more responsible. In the future, I know that I can get things done without anyone’s help and that I don’t need anybody with me to complete a task. I am ready for anything new that awaits me, whether it be something mundane as going through airport protocol or something much more foreign, I know that I have the means and mindset to get anything completed.
Some people say that parents can only do so much in helping a person be the person they were meant to become, and that the ability to mature and grow up lies in that their own hands. I never really thought much about what they said until I experienced the feeling of travelling 7,000 miles across the pacific all alone. As I stepped onto the airport, the bustling noises of the airport filled my ears. I was sixteen years old at the time and the prospect of travelling by myself made me nervous. The smell of gasoline and other industrial odors made up the majority of what noses picked up from outside. The air outside was arid and hot. It was summer so the heat of the day wasn’t a surprise. This was my first time traveling by myself. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling nervous. Idle chatter and conversations could be heard from the many people within. The pitter patter of feet and rolling of wheels filled the halls. From outside, the faint whirring sound of a plane’s engine could be heard.
People from around the world moved with purpose. It was like a melting pot of different cultures and ethnic groups all going to visit places where the culture and environment are completely different to what they are used to. Men, women and children headed towards the gates that lead them to their destinations. Crowds of people swarmed the airport, hastily trying to go somewhere. It was like a sea of varying colors, each person having a unique shade to them, whether it be on their clothes or their skin. Shops and restaurants lined the walls, adding vibrant colors and visual displays to the interior. Restaurants released a wide variety of savory aromas from their shops. Reds, blues, oranges and a myriad of other colors painted the shop exteriors, their wide array of colors resembling a rainbow. I arrived at my gate only to see that nobody else was there to await the boarding process. “Funny” I thought to myself “Am I the only one flying to Manila?” I probably would have missed my flight if it weren’t for the T.V. screen that showed my flight had moved gates. The new gate was a ways away from where I stood so I hurried off, hoping that I would make it just in time for my departure. Frustrated and nervous, I urged my body to walk faster, praying that my flight didn’t leave without me. I carried with me a month’s worth of clothes in my bag which only increased my exhaustion. As time passed my legs began to feel like they were made of lead. At last, I arrived at my gate. Relief swelled from within as I arrived on time and without any complications. Those who were headed to the same destination began to board the plane. We all took our seats and awaited take-off. The flight was lengthy, about 12 hours of flying but the long journey made the arrival all the more sweeter.
On that day, I learned that maturity, perseverance and a good mindset can help anyone get through any obstacle, no matter how hard they may be. After going through the experience of traveling by myself and learning how to move around an airport on the fly, I felt more confident. This entire experience made me feel more mature and more responsible. In the future, I know that I can get things done without anyone’s help and that I don’t need anybody with me to complete a task. I am ready for anything new that awaits me, whether it be something mundane as going through airport protocol or something much more foreign, I know that I have the means and mindset to get anything completed.