I typed this out at the Frankfurt Airport a whole three days ago. At this point the realization that I was actually going to be living in Spain and didn’t know anyone was really sinking in and I got really nervous. I will admit to being, generally, a nervous traveller. I don’t think I actually have much to worry about, but I guess that’s just how I am. It’s weird because I want to travel, and be adventuresome, but maybe it just doesn’t come naturally to me…I’m trying to get better! Anyway, here are the tired ramblings of a nervous traveller….
Confessions Of A Nervous Traveller
Typing from the chilly Frankfurt airport, only a half hour til my flight to Madrid and then I should be in Huelva by this evening (I hope!!). (Although this post won’t be posted until I reach Internet-land, wherever that may be. That’s why I love YOW, just wish Frankfurt was the same!)
This is my second time at the Frankfurt airport by myself. Last year, I flew to meet my family for a hiking trip in Austria. Knowing that my family was already settled in an apartment in Vienna and waiting for me to arrive, I was not nervous at all. I just had to take a cab from the airport and voilà, the Von Shaps were all together in Vienna!
The time before that, I flew through Frankfurt to get to Dhaka. I think it was a combination of fatigue, a little anxiousness, and sitting near a real jerk on our flight that had me a little jittery, but I ended up having a mini cry fest over ramen noodles at the airport while my boyfriend at the time acted like a saint and put up with my bout of nerves.
So even when I’m not travelling by myself I tend to get a little anxious about the whole process. My mum likes the story of our first trip with a plane ride as kids to Prince Edward Island: by the time we were settled in to our quaint island cottage, I had announced that I was very homesick. We had only been there for half a day and my whole family was with me…maybe an early indication of a not-so-confident traveller…
So far, I think I’m doing alright this trip. Yes, I got a little teary when I hugged mum goodbye in Ottawa, but with Skype, Facebook, email, FaceTime, etc, I shouldn’t worry about staying in touch. Only thing I’m a little nervous about right now is manoeuvring my two suitcases from the Madrid airport onto the metro to the train station…but this doesn’t seem like something I should fret over.
I’ve loved all my travel experiences but I do so wish that I was a cooler traveller; maybe that just comes with practice. I was so excited when I applied to this program in Spain, and even more excited when I found out I was accepted — so I think that means I’m ready for a little adventure. We’ll find out. Time to fly to Madrid…¡vamos!
As I called to book a cab last night for my early morning departure from Madrid, I had a little moment of pride– three months ago my Spanish wasn’t good enough to completely understand people over the phone, let alone be understood. I was so nervous; new city, new country, new job, new friends, new-ish language, first time living on my own…but I’ve been doing it. And having a great time. For sure, there have been moments of homesickness, but mostly I’ve just been pinching myself at the experiences I’ve been having so far — from salsa dancing until the sun comes up to sipping glüwhein in snowy Berlin, it’s been crazy and fun and worth the initial nerves. A quick return to the familiarity of home will be nice; I’ve had to go outside my comfort zone a little bit, but I think that’s a good thing. For now, hasta luego España– ¡nos vemos en 2013!
