Flying solo

As Louise put in her farewell Facebook post that made me cry at the airport, I am indeed 'Flying Solo'. I had been trying to distract myself from the idea of leaving my friends and family for the next 3 months whilst I sat in my packed up room Thursday morning as my sub-renter unpacked into it. It was only I got to the airport that it hit me and I hesitated for a few minutes before checking in my beloved backpack. The fear factor had  definitely kicked in, replacing any excitement or feigned indifference from earlier in the day. I couldn't even bring myself to take a so-long selfie, for fear of looking ridiculous! I called home (as is my wont when feeling nervous/angry/upset) and realised it won't be that easy to find reassurance when I'm much further from home.

My mild fear of flying added to the plethora of emotions as I boarded the first plane and Adele's 'Hometown Glory' shuffled onto my iPod as I took a long last look at Heathrow (and the ensuing traffic jam of BA planes. Heathrow isn't exactly my hometown, but it represented London - the place I've called home for the last four years, and will likely miss, despite its flaws - 'memories are fresh, oh the people I've met'.

Next through my headphones played the classic David Gray lyrics 'Sail away with me, what will be will be' as the plane took off and I longed for Louise, my long-time travel companion to appear in the vacant seat beside me. I had a little tear before trying to distract myself with writing this blog - not a great distraction admittedly. A better distraction from my feelings was the Lufthansa factor - leather seats, leg room and ofcourse the free snacks - a welcome change from my recent flights with Ryan air and Easyjet.

Then my iPod died - so no more song lyrics for now! But I found a friend at Frankfurt airport who happened to be staying at the same hostel as me in Rio - what are the chances?

No longer flying alone, and with the knowledge that I had someone to get to the hostel with, the second flight was much less nerve wracking, despite it taking me thousands of miles from home. But really the hard part starts when you land, all you have to do to fly across the world is decide to get on the plane.