The start of the journey

The year is 2019 and the date the 22nd January. The journey which had been a figment of my imagination for the past 5 months was becoming a reality and I was only a few steps away from the enigmatic buzz and bright lights of Heathrow airport. The air was icy and cold, whilst my teeth chattered I only thought about how I was lucky I was to escape its grip. Moving with pace I thought the faster we moved the closer I was to sunshine and adventure. I said goodbye to my father who had dropped me off to the airport. We said a very English, tight upper lipped and swift goodbye and then I walked on with passport in hand and boarding pass in the other. Where to you may ask? Well this lucky solo traveller was about to board a flight to Melbourne International airport. Why? That’s a good question and one I have been asked by many people. I would tell them that I wanted to go somewhere with sunshine, and that I had always wanted to travel. This is true but the ultimate truth is I wanted to get away from the ordinary. I wanted to seize life. Carpe diem and all that. I wanted to go far far away and take the time to explore what the other side of the world had to offer. I wouldn’t say I was running away from responsibility but perhaps hopeful of running towards something better in the unknown. It also felt like a good time to leave as I had no commitments and Britain was in a depressing state following the announcement of Brexit. The country was gripped with fear of the unknown divided by those that thought we would no longer have cheese and those who understood the historical ties we’d have to cut. I had always had an unequivocal desire to go afar as well as a deep understanding that there was a lot more out there. I couldn’t stand still and wait for an opportunity to materialise. It was deep within my stomach and core to reject the mundane. I had to experience the freedom I had long sought after and experience the world. The departure time was 14.05. A thoughtful time for the commencement of the journey from hell. Well, actually the beginning wasn’t so bad. Leaving the grey and grim clouds of the UK, the first leg involved a 6 hour and 55-minute flight to Abu Dhabi. I flew with Etihad, I took pleasure in being reminded about the direction of Mecca and how many minutes till the next prayer. Abu Dhabi was a series of electric floating lights amongst the dark sea of the land. Next was an 8-hour layover. The airport was cold with a handful of people sleeping on the floor. I did a lap around the only duty-free shop about five times, smelt all the perfumes and wandered into the prayer rooms. I couldn’t sleep so just sat waiting counting down the minutes hugging my legs from the cold. The next leg was just a minor 13 hours and 25 minutes. I didn't allow myself to be scared of the unknown, or upset about leaving my close-knit group of friends. I only allowed myself to be excited. Touch down was a huge relief. I handed over my passport at border security ready to commence a new chapter in Australia.

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