Chapter one ✈️ (Setting out for new shores)

I don't know what was worse: the fear of flying to a foreign country, or my first long flight to the other side of the world, or the farewell to my mom, which was much harder for me than I had expected. Maybe it was also the disappointment of having to surrender my full water bottle after security checks. ...and the fact that surrendering my full water bottle was more a sign of my ignorance, showing me that I would never manage in a foreign country. With my limited flying experience, I finally made my way to the gate – in sprint mode, because the check-in took so long that the three hours I had arrived early had flown by, and boarding was already coming to an end. I had actually planned to check in online – a must in today's era. But the app seemed to have been developed with an operating system from 2015, the time when Marty McFly thought flying skateboards were a reality.

Upon arriving at the gate, I took a deep breath and faced my first challenge with my school English, which I had polished up over the years with Duolingo and self-talk. I understood this much: I still felt like I had to wait for another three hours because check-in had taken too long. Suddenly, 150 people had something in common – the delay of the flight to Vancouver due to a botched check-in. So, I had some time to gather myself and realize that I was really about to embark on this crazy journey.

Once on the plane, I was still somewhat affected, as the farewell from my mom had been more intense than I had thought. I wished my best friend could have brought me to the airport so I wouldn't have to feel the pain of leaving my mom behind. Unfortunately, my best friend had decided shortly before to become a lawbreaker and couldn't drive me as planned. Just to mention it so I don’t have any back-and-forth with him on my way back: HE COULDN'T HELP IT. (And actually, he had shed more tears days prior than my mom and I combined). To be honest, tears are just a sign of deep affection, which I feel for both my mom and my best friend. I consider myself lucky to be able to feel these emotions.

The walk into business class was impressive. I took a seat on a throne where I could sit for ten hours – even with a reclining function. Next to me was no one, and the seats were so large and isolated that it didn’t bother me – experiencing a whirlwind of emotions: sadness, fear, nervousness, and a tiny bit of anticipation. In that moment, I felt as small as a chia seed.

To praise the friendly and accommodating flight attendants: You made my flight so comfortable that I found myself wishing not to arrive at times. But as with everything, it all has to come to an end, and just once I blinked, and I was at the airport in Vancouver. With visible nervousness and the stories in my mind about how my brother’s sister-in-law was almost sent back home for having an apple in her carry-on, and the information that visa issuance on site was very strict, I stumbled over my own feet. My English questions to airport staff came out only stutteringly while the German song 'Auf anderen Wegen' by Andreas Bourani played in my ear.

At first, I waited 30 minutes in vain at the wrong luggage carousel – that was definitely my scatterbrain and not the airport's organization. Compared to Frankfurt Airport, it was pleasantly quiet and organized here. When I finally registered at a kiosk to confirm that I had no ill intentions, I went to the visa counter. I hadn’t forgotten that it was supposed to be super strict there. Maybe it was due to my German preparation and/or my Italian charm, but in just two minutes, I was done and holding my visa for 12 months in my hand. Yay!

But as I had not expected, one challenging situation was over, and the next one was already at the door. And as it turned out, this would not be my last challenge. More about this soon – about party girls in the room while I just want to sleep, and about a stupid lock that won’t open while all my important things are locked inside. See you in 'Chapter two'. Thank you and good night to Germany 🇩🇪 or to another part of our 🌍.