Flight to London

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

I am currently on a British Airways flight from Vancouver to Heathrow London. It’s my first time overseas. This is the update of my trip so far. Some family and close friends came with me to the airport, I was quite early so we sat down and just had casual conversation to not focus on the obvious. Eventually the time came where I had to go through security, so I gave my hugs and goodbyes without shedding a tear, just the way I had hoped. Not because it’s bad to cry, I was just trying to focus on the positive. So I waited in line to get on the plane feeling as if nothing was different or about to change, just another flight. Whatever, no big deal. I said goodbye to Vancouver in my head, and stepped on the biggest jet I think I’ve ever seen. That’s when it all started. The captain had an English accent which I liked, but didn’t expect. I saw a few people in line with UK passports and all of a sudden started hearing all the accents. The tears began to fall as I realized these were the sounds I would be hearing for the next 6 months, and I had to get used to it. No turning back.

Part of finding your seat is walking through first class. It wasn’t at all what I had expected. The chairs didn’t look much different, and you sat in this “pod” type of cubicle. Interesting looking to say the least. There was a flip down foot rest, and quite a bit of leg room in between, but that was about it, it just looked cramped. (I actually got pictures on the way off the plane.)

I found my window seat pleased to figure out no one had booked the middle seat. On the seat was a pink pillow, a blanket and a package, which made me feel better also. Inside the package was headphones, socks, a toothbrush, and toothpaste. Guess that’s all you need. (I actually had packed my own toothbrush because I had to deal with not having one at the airport another time I traveled, not fun after 9 hours.) I was happy to have the toothpaste though!

My neighbor (lady with the aisle seat) was in her late 20’s/early 30's and smiled when I sat down. I told myself I wouldn’t be shy and make an effort to talk to her before the plane landed. Sooner than later as well. She beat me to it and asked if I was returning home, I told her this was home, and it was my first time overseas. She seemed quite excited for me, and told me I would love it in her European accent. She spoke very clear English but I knew she wasn’t from the UK, so I asked. She was from Austria and visiting some family in Vancouver for the past 2 months. She had some mixed feelings about going home because she had realized she missed it, but was quite certain she would rather live in Vancouver. Her next goal was to find a job and move to the city she had fallen in love with. She was very sweet and friendly.

As the plane started to roll out of the terminal it again hit me that I was going to be away from this wonderful city, my family and friends for 6 months. No coming back to visit in that time, and the tears came harder as I tried to hide it from the other lady.

I had decided I wanted to somehow document my experiences so I wouldn’t forget them, but didn’t know how I would make it happen without having any power connected to my computer, or paper to write on (The airline didn’t have any, which kind of bothered me). So I just wrote small on the back of a letter I had 2 copies of.

I didn’t bring a book to read because it was extra weight I decided I didn’t want to haul around throughout my trip, so I took a peek in the magazine that gives you info on the entertainment provided. I found a section on South Africa which immediately caught my attention. Globetrekker, where people will travel throughout certain places to learn more about their culture, quality television right there. I also watched 2 chick flicks, which were alright.

So airline food is exactly what they say. Not good. The question was beef or pasta? I chose pasta. I’m almost 100% sure it was cooked in a microwave, it sure looked and tasted like it. It was accompanied with an eggplant salad with fresh mozzarella cheese. I’m not a big eggplant person, so I ate it first to get it out of the way. Dessert was some sort of apple pastry. It was just alright again. I’m waiting to see what breakfast has to offer in a few hours.

I saw the sun setting today, it was amazing. I took pictures to share. :) The sleeping pills are starting to make me drowsy, I will attempt to sleep now. I read about Gordon Ramsey having a airplane food restaurant in the Heathrow airport, I’m tempted to try it tomorrow.

The sleeping didn’t go so well... it’s quite uncomfortable having to sit for such a long time. I can’t describe my feelings, which is odd, I am usually pretty good at understanding my feelings. I don’t feel nervous or excited, but yet I feel a small amount of both.