Partially There!

At around 5:00 AM, I woke up..... and promptly remembered the simple fact that I was about to begin my journey to Beijing. Almost instantly, my stomach tensed up like a coiled spring, and I just lay there, wide awake and wallowing in anxiety until I finally got up at around 6:00 after realizing how futile it was to try and attempt to fall back asleep. 

A few hours later, still in somewhat of a fretful daze, I found myself at none other than JFK airport, ready to start the first leg of the trip. So, after a final goodbye with my older brother and mother, I successfully passed through security, and minutes later I was at my gate, with what felt like a flock of butterflies in my belly. 

Finally, the fateful moment rolled around, and after taking a deep breath in attempt to settle my nerves, I boarded the plane. After traveling all the way to the back of the plane, I was still so wrought with anxiety that after milling about in the aisle, I sat in the wrong seat for a few seconds before realizing my mistake. As I apologized to the puzzled flight attendant, I tried to explain that I was simply frazzled due to the fact that not only was it my first flight alone, but I was on my way to China, of all places. Almost immediately, a boy my age perked up and looked my way. "Are you going to Beijing?"

As it turns out, my seat was directly across from another student who was also going to the Beijing Center. Needless to say, I quickly calmed down once I realized that I was no longer making the journey to Chicago not alone, but with Tom, a junior from Fordham. 

So fortunately, it was a smooth, relatively short flight, and after landing, I stepped off the plane feeling much more confident than when I originally boarded. And even better, there was even more surprises in store, for as Tom and I neared the baggage claim, I spotted none other than Emmanuel, one of the several students from Fairfield University also spending the semester in Beijing. Apparently, there had been a mix-up with his luggage, and his bags didn't travel with him, but with my flight later on. Luckily, everything worked out, and since Emmanuel had already gone to the hotel and checked in before returning, Tom and I didn't need to suffer the pain of struggling to fine where the hotel shuttle was. 

The rest of the day was fairly uneventful. We arrived at the Holiday Inn, checked in, and mingled with the others until a two-hour meeting about some basics, such as health, safety, and the plan for tomorrow. Now, I lie here atop my bed in my hotel room, awash with relief that I made the first leg of the trip intact. Now while I do have to make the long haul to Beijing itself tomorrow, I see no need to worry, for I'll be traveling with at least twenty others. 

Onwards across the Pacific!