My first intercontinental flight ever... by myself

This was basically my first flight ever because the very first aircraft I boarded was back in 2004 and I was only six to remember anything, and the second flight was a low cost three days earlier to my intercontinental flight. “Cristian, fly back from your vacations so that you can get a feeling on what flying feels like before you go to America” my mom told me, and so I did.

Departure Day

Everything is packed and already in the car. My parents and I get on board and now there is no turning back, I am headed to the airport. As we drive there I have many things passing through my mind, like all the questions everyone asked me prior to my departure: “What do you do if you lose your flight? Have you thought about that? Do you know what your rights are if your flight gets delayed or even worst canceled? ” Jeez, everyone was more worried than I was. Yes, alright, I was sixteen years old and it was my first time having a layover in an airport I am not familiar with, but my broken English was enough to get me on the other side of the world.

I am in Milano Linate with my parents, we wrap my checked bag in green plastic and then drop it at the counter and I see it disappear behind the steward. “Breakfast, let’s get breakfast” I tell my parents. I did have something to eat at home but we arrived early enough to eat again. We need to kill time before they announce my gate. I get a second cappuccino, but I do not know if that was a smart choice. “Whatever”, I think, I will not drink any for almost one year. I start walking around the airport because I can not stop thinking about my arrival in the USA. They just announced the gate, I hug my parents and I tell them goodbye as I disappear entering a door. My dad just sent me a text saying that if I enter a shop and so does he we can meet again. What? No, I just said goodbye. I keep walking. “BA Flight to London”. This is where my airplane will appear soon. I look around with a stupid smile and my mind starts to fly. The display changed from “On Time” to “Boarding”. Fuck, this is real. “ID and Boarding Pass, please”. “Here”. “Thank you, Sir, Enjoy your flight! ”. Alright, my seat is on the aisle and I am at the very end of the aircraft. I asked the lady who checked me in to assign me window seats but they were all gone for the first flight, but she ensured me I got one for my second flight London-Denver. It is okay. Next to me, I have an Italian couple who I believe was fighting. I do not mind, I listen to my music. Am I really flying to London? Is Heathrow really so big I have high chances to get lost? It is true, the British Airport is big but my flights are both in Terminal One, so I do not have to change.

Heathrow International Airport

There are people everywhere, walking in any direction. I need to be careful and look around because it amazes me how trafficked it is. I love it. I am pretty sure I will have to wait in line forever even for a coffee. Whatever, let’s try it. Did you know I have never had Starbucks before? Here it is now so I need to try it. “Hello Sir, what can I do for you”. “I would like…”. Oh shit, what do I order? I mean I do not know what is good and what is not. Whatever, I think I ordered a Frappuccino. “What is your name? ”. “Cristian”. Alright, it will be ready shortly. Okay, let’s wait. I think there is a free chair right in the corner. I say “Thank you” as I reach and grab my coffee and a chocolate chip cookie. Did the guy really write Kristia instead of Cristian on my coffee? Whose name is Kristia? Let’s move on. The cookie was good and the coffee was pretty for the picture I had to take, lol.

I think I still have two hours, so I need to find something to do, and so I just took a selfie with Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant. Only one hour and fifty-nine minutes to go, and my gate has not been announced yet. I think I will get a frozen yogurt because why not. I can ensure you that it was not a smart choice because now I need to find a bathroom.

When do they announce my gate? When I am in the bathroom of course! So as soon as I read the information I needed to know on the big screen I start running because the gate is, of course, on the other side of the Terminal. Useless to run because the aircraft was and still is there. Alright, I sit down and wait. “Please have your boarding pass and ID ready for boarding”. Breath in, breath out, Cris. As the steward says “This is the final boarding call for British Airways Flight 219 to Denver”, I am already in the aircraft trying to find my seat. It is my first time seeing entertainment on board, there is even a controller to adjust the volume and change radio channels. I sit down and I feel like it is already late, why are we still in London? Get moving, big boy, go! “Please pay attention to the safety demonstration”. Finally!

This flight feels endless yet so short. I listen to "Hopeless Wanderer" as we take off. I love this song. I should try to find some more to listen to throughout this nine-hour flight. Maybe I should watch a movie instead. Nothing, I cannot concentrate but I cannot sleep either. Too excited. Let’s see the map, I want to know where we are. Ten thousand feet of altitude, minus fifty-five degrees and... we are flying over Greenland. Basically halfway there. “Chicken or Pasta? ” Mmh. “Pasta, thank you”. After all, I am Italian.

I mean, it is not the best meal of my life, but what could I expect? At least there is food on board and I do not have to pay more for it, like low-cost airlines. We are now flying over Canada. I wonder what my host family is doing right now, are they getting ready to welcome me in their home? What are my parents doing? I can only close my eyes, sleeping is overrated, I guess. “Cabin crew sit for landing, thank you”. Have eight hours and a half already passed by? I can see that we are closer to the ground, but I can see nothing. Are we landing in the middle of nowhere? This is kind of true, Denver International Airport is located in the middle of... nothing. All I can see are yellowish and greenish fields.

“Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to Denver, the local time is 6. 20 p. m. Please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened”. I grab my phone and disable airplane mode, I need to contact my family and my host family that I have arrived. I need to get off, hurry people, c’mon. How do I get through customs? No clue, I will see. I just answered a few questions the officer asked me and I am now waiting for my luggage. I am at the arrivals and all I was expecting is not there. Where are my American parents? I see no one. Let me call. “Hi, where are you? I am here! ” “Cris, we are at the arrival, but we cannot see you”. Okay, I am panicking. I should ask for help, this guy works here, maybe he can help. “Excuse me, can you grab my phone and explain where I am? ” “No, I cannot speak to anyone, just tell whoever you are talking to that you are in the main Terminal”. Oh wow, this is not helping. Thank you, dumbass. “Brian, I see you, stop! ” And he would not stop, so I am running right behind him. I finally reached him and his son. I have arrived to the United States of America.

I did not lose my flight, it was not delayed and it was not canceled either. I made it through customs and I can now enjoy my life changing experience as an exchange student.

- Cristian

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