Rome via Brooklyn

946 words, 5 minutes read time.

I remember my first solo flight. When I was 12 years old, every summer I would hop on a plane and fly to Beijing to spend my summer break with my mom. The journey was both filled with joy and tears: I can’t let go of my grandma when I depart, but I’m also excited to visit my mom; it becomes vice versa when I have to return for school. 

The flight experience was the same as other passengers. However, there are some rules, both the minor and the flight attendants will have to follow for safety measures. Such as the minor will be the first to board and the last to disembark the aircraft. Assistance from the airline staff during different necessary airport procedures: collecting a boarding pass, checking in luggage, navigating to the gate, and luggage pick up.

My favorite is the “Panda Bag”. This is the bag the airline uses to identify whether the minor is accompanied by an adult or not; it is also used to hold their boarding pass, ID, and their luggage information. The child will be required to wear this pouch throughout the flight until their legal guardian picks them up upon arrival.

But that was years ago. Not to mention this time I’m traveling to a new country, a new continent with so many uncertainties.

Travel day is always the day that maximizes all of my ANXIETY. Since I started preparing, putting things into my suitcase, I can’t help but constantly think about all sorts of bad things that could happen. What if the airline lost my suitcase? What if someone else took my suitcase upon arrival? What am I going to do if I don’t have what I need when I’m at the apartment? And what if the airline accuses my suitcase of being oversized and overweight while I have done countless calculations to ensure staying within the guidelines?

I know these might sound crazy or overdramatic, but at the end of the day, is just a flight. I survived this one(my overthinking and anxiety), what about the next? Stay tuned for the upcoming mental burden created by my brain💀.

My mom gave me one advice before I left, “Do not go out alone”. I understood her concern, but I’ll decide on taking that advice or not based on the situation. I don’t want to permanently rely on a group, sure, it would be safer and we will have fun, but that will make me passive, losing the opportunity to gain self-independence. Let’s just say my mom doesn’t have to know about everything about this journey.

Overall, the flight was okay… Is not the best, but it gets things done.

When I went through the TSA, the staff was confused at my “in case my suitcase got lost/saving suitcase room” fit(is mostly the bottoms, I wore a pair of jeans, on top of that I wore a jean skirt). I was pulled aside for hands-on checking, as I expected due to my piercings. But the staff mostly focused on my pants, she didn’t even know where to start at first(LOL).

However, the passenger who sat next to me on the plane was not so pleasant. Next to me was a family of three, a mother and her two teenage children(12ish years old). It was alright at the beginning of the flight, the daughter complained a little about the flight: the seat was uncomfortable, she didn’t get a window seat, there was no good movie or show, why were there no headphones for the movie, why did it take so long to fly, etc. From some perspective, I do agree with her. Sometimes complaining could make things better.

As the flight progressed, things worsened. I was able to sleep for an hour after the meal, I was then woken cause the daughter kicked me on the thigh multiple times. She lay horizontally in her seat while having her head lie on her mother’s thigh, she tried to push my legs out of my seat so she could have extra leg room. Is like a leg workout session, I concentrated on putting strength in my thigh to stay in place, cause like I’m already feeling uncomfortable due to sitting for a long time, I’m not in the mood for “sacrifice for others’ benefit”.

“‘After a while, other countries begin to seem eerily quiet, even dull.’” I love but also find it interesting about this quote. It expresses the confidence of Italians and their culture. Is like saying the Italian is the best in this area. On the other hand, it represents a difference in social norms compared to my culture, where it is considered impolite to speak loudly in public. It would be a note I’ll jot down, so whenever I’m walking in the city, I know what to observe.

I’m most excited about moments when I can finally see those famous art pieces and the architecture with my own eyes. Also, I’m looking forward to collecting all kinds of “trash” for my journal: stickers, food packages, nature pieces (leaves, air, water, sand), purchase receipts, tissue from food places, etc. As long as they are something I used or experienced while I’m in Italy, their destiny belongs to my journal.

I was quite surprised by the Italians’ value of family. Based on what the book describes, it sounds wholesome, and the connection is firm and strong. It is also interesting to see how family is involved in every aspect of their life, including business and career. I wonder what it would be like to work for your boss, who is also your dad.