Leaving (And Arriving!)
I am writing this from my new home in Vapi, India! After a long journey and a day of rest, I am starting to feel settled in and ready to begin my life here. I figured I should write about my journey :)
On Thursday night before leaving, my parents and I decided to go on one last adventure through the waterfront trail. We biked around and I said goodbye to some of my favorite Ithaca things: the Farmer's Market; the lake; the people out barbecuing and walking their dogs. It felt strange to realize that I wouldn't see my home for a long time.
On Friday morning, my family drove to Syracuse at 9 am. The airport there is completely under construction, so finding our way around was a little stressful. We said goodbye while I was waiting in the security line... and I was way more emotionally affected than I thought I would be. While people in front and behind us tried not to pay attention, the three of us were a teary mess (mostly me). I felt simultaneously guilty for leaving my parents behind, scared to be going out on my own, and suddenly very aware of the length of time during which I'd be gone.
goodbye time with Mom
goodbye time with Dad
After waiting awhile in Syracuse, I took a tiny plane up to Toronto. The main thing I took away from this flight is how model train sets are extremely accurate. The cars and trucks on the road looked exactly like toys! The amount of swimming pools was astounding! Suburbia is sprawling!
tiny plane selfie!
the entire plane!
the wonders of suburbia!
Once I landed in Toronto, I had a lot of time to wait around after finding my gate. So, I stood for a super long time in a Tim Horton's line (just to say I did something "Canadian" while in Canada), got airport Indian food (actually pretty delicious), and chatted for awhile with a couple going to Ireland (I was starting to get pretty lonely by this point!). I have decided that traveling alone is great-- everything is pretty self-explanatory if you are an accomplished sign-reader, and when in doubt, there are always people in uniforms who you can ask for help. The whole process was smooth and easy to navigate.
I boarded the plane in Toronto around 10 pm after a delay, and arrived in Mumbai around 12 am India time. All I did during the flight was watch lots of movies (including the first Harry Potter, The Royal Tenenbaums, Emma, and The Disaster Artist), and sleep. The whole flight seemed like a time vortex, because it simultaneously felt like forever, and like no time had passed.
Many long hours from my flight from Syracuse later, I ended up in the Mumbai airport, with all my luggage, heading out to meet my host family. I had a wonderful greeting, and then we drove for about three and a half hours to my host city of Vapi, India.
Today, I was able to unpack, enjoy my first Gujarati meal, and walk around the city with my host family. Tomorrow, I will meet with a representative from my school to choose classes, I will buy my uniform, and I will look to purchase a sim card. Things are happening! I am experiencing a lot of emotional and physical upheaval, but I can already feel myself beginning to adjust (with the help of my incredible host family).
On Thursday night before leaving, my parents and I decided to go on one last adventure through the waterfront trail. We biked around and I said goodbye to some of my favorite Ithaca things: the Farmer's Market; the lake; the people out barbecuing and walking their dogs. It felt strange to realize that I wouldn't see my home for a long time.
On Friday morning, my family drove to Syracuse at 9 am. The airport there is completely under construction, so finding our way around was a little stressful. We said goodbye while I was waiting in the security line... and I was way more emotionally affected than I thought I would be. While people in front and behind us tried not to pay attention, the three of us were a teary mess (mostly me). I felt simultaneously guilty for leaving my parents behind, scared to be going out on my own, and suddenly very aware of the length of time during which I'd be gone.
goodbye time with Mom
goodbye time with DadAfter waiting awhile in Syracuse, I took a tiny plane up to Toronto. The main thing I took away from this flight is how model train sets are extremely accurate. The cars and trucks on the road looked exactly like toys! The amount of swimming pools was astounding! Suburbia is sprawling!
tiny plane selfie!
the entire plane!
the wonders of suburbia!Once I landed in Toronto, I had a lot of time to wait around after finding my gate. So, I stood for a super long time in a Tim Horton's line (just to say I did something "Canadian" while in Canada), got airport Indian food (actually pretty delicious), and chatted for awhile with a couple going to Ireland (I was starting to get pretty lonely by this point!). I have decided that traveling alone is great-- everything is pretty self-explanatory if you are an accomplished sign-reader, and when in doubt, there are always people in uniforms who you can ask for help. The whole process was smooth and easy to navigate.
I boarded the plane in Toronto around 10 pm after a delay, and arrived in Mumbai around 12 am India time. All I did during the flight was watch lots of movies (including the first Harry Potter, The Royal Tenenbaums, Emma, and The Disaster Artist), and sleep. The whole flight seemed like a time vortex, because it simultaneously felt like forever, and like no time had passed.
Many long hours from my flight from Syracuse later, I ended up in the Mumbai airport, with all my luggage, heading out to meet my host family. I had a wonderful greeting, and then we drove for about three and a half hours to my host city of Vapi, India.
Today, I was able to unpack, enjoy my first Gujarati meal, and walk around the city with my host family. Tomorrow, I will meet with a representative from my school to choose classes, I will buy my uniform, and I will look to purchase a sim card. Things are happening! I am experiencing a lot of emotional and physical upheaval, but I can already feel myself beginning to adjust (with the help of my incredible host family).
Love reading your blogs--thanks for sharing the good news about your uneventful trip and safe arrival in Vapi. BTW, did I notice a Cornell University patch on the right shoulder of your blazer?! I bet you'll have some interesting conversations, and even meet people with Cornell connections. GO BIG RED!
ReplyDeleteThe past district governor of 3060 has been to Cornell! I’m sure I’ll encounter even more interesting connections 😊
DeleteSo proud of you! In all of my travels I was constantly reminded of how small the world is and how interconnected human beings are to one another. Traveling and sharing new experiences helps bring to world together!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! The support means a lot coming from you! 😊
DeleteDear Madeline,
ReplyDeleteI am so grateful that your lovely Mother shared your site for me to be able to follow your block .
What a brave young person you are to spread you wings and fly away to far away place on earth, leaving your loving parents behind.
I will be following your insightful reflections admiringly, I like your beautiful writing. I am sure you will be sharing your observations and experiences with many others upon your return.
I wish you a grand and safe time and come back home so much richer for having done this journey, which will be probably the first of many others fellow.
With much love and admiration,
Dilmeran Akgoze.
Reading back my comments, I realized how many goofy spelling, and grammar mistake I made.
ReplyDeletePlease ignore them ,not a good role model of and adult!
dilmeran.