The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~St. Augustine
My first trip to Canada was unforgettable. First of all, I had a feeling of sadness and happiness. I had to leave my parents and that made me so sad. I was also grateful to experience new lifestyle and new adventures. I wanted to learn more about other people; how they live, how they think, what traditions and customs they have and so on. As a result, my first travelling to Canada was thrilling.
My departure time was at six o’clock in the morning of a cold day. I was so sleepy at four o’clock in the morning. The airport was hugely crowded even at that time. I had two baggages and a heavy back-pack, full of personal documents and books. My hands were full either, two bags of books again. Moving in that circumstance was torture. I moved like a robot.
Last night, I had weighted the luggages three times to make sure that they had the right weight. But, when I was in the line to give the baggages, the bad-temper clerk stated that the baggages were too heavy and I had to leave some of my personal belongings there. But, how could I do that?
I was alone and could not even move the baggages. Moreover, I had two problems. First, I had to find someone to help me moving the luggages and then, taking the stuffs out of them and putting them in a bag. I desperately looked around. Other travellers were looking at me, expecting me to move very quickly and let them give their loads. Finally, among the crowds, I found a cleaning worker. He helped me to remove some stuffs and put them in a bag. At the end, after two hours, the airport clerk accepted the luggages and allowed me to enter into the transit area. I felt like a blissful fighter who defeated the enemy in the battle field.
Two weeks before the flight, I must have paid a toll for leaving my home country, Iran. It is a rule. I did that. But, once again, I had another problem. When I reached the custom police booth in order to give a permission to enter the airplane, he declared that the money is not enough and I had to pay more. I had to go back to the main building where the airport bank was. I was about to miss my flight. I thought if I go there, I have to do all the travelling procedure from the beginning. Oh, my God! Why do you do this to me? I was exhausted and sleepy. Leaving the airport was like mirage. So, I suddenly said that I strongly promised to pay the money next time. He looked at me suspiciously and said: “OK, you can go.” That was the best thing I heard that day!
Lastly, the bus took the passengers to the airplane. Most travellers looked very tired and sleepy. I looked at the capital city, Tehran where I grew up. Mount. Damavand was hidden in the gray sky because of the pollution and traffic jam. But, the sun was generous as usual. I never knew how much I love the city. At that time, I thought that only leaving can show much more the value of the homeland.
In the airplane, I had a seat near the window. I was happy because I could see everywhere from that position. An old Television on the wall was showing the travelling routes, from Tehran to Istanbul, Frankfort, Amsterdam and then London. London airport was my next destination. I had to change my flight in London and took Air Canada. I did not want to sleep even though I needed.
I wanted to see all the countries from the above. The planet earth had a different view from there. Mountains, deserts, seas and cities were tiny. The hue of the Black Sea was actually black. I did not know that! Austria was cloudy and green. The sun was shining but dense clouds blocked the sunlight in some cities like Frankfurt and Vienna. Winding River Thames was flowing smoothly through London. Eventually, after thirty minutes, turning around the sky, the airplane landed in London airport, Heathrow.
To be continued…
