I stepped out of the plane on to the solid platform extending from the main airport building and was met with a freezing blast of cold air that came through the small vents between the portable platform and the plane. Looking down the tunnel into the airport my hair stood on its ends and a shiver ran down my spine. A new world, a new beginning. The idea was scary but still exciting in an invigorating way. Of course I wasn't alone. My family was with me. Looking around at that moment I knew my little sister was going through the same experience as I was except maybe a little less scared due to the ignorance of her young age. Or so I thought then. Now, looking back at that instance I feel she was the more mature of the two of us to have enjoyed the moment rather than worry about the possible disasters (that would never happen) that could happen, which is what I did. My parents led us off the plane and into the airport where we had a number of annoying and tiring jobs to do. This was always the worst part of travelling for me because I'm always jet lagged and then to have to haul big bags around, push heavy trolleys and wait in never-ending lines for hours! Not exactly ideal.
After a painstaking 2 hours (which felt like 10!) of customs we finally made our way through the double doors that at the time seemed to me to lead to freedom. In truth we were just entering the airport foyer where we were met with a very nice lady. Right about now I should probably introduce you to all the people. So here goes.
Me: Monique (13)
My little sis: Saraphina (10)
My mum: Carrie (45)
My dad: Ronald (47)
Nice Lady: Emma (47) - My mum's friend from university who agreed to help us in all challenges thrown to us by our new life.
Emma or rather Aunty Emma to me, was standing at the front of the crowd with a broad smile on her face, which we got used to later on, waving frantically in case we missed her. Which was quite impossible seeing as her bushy hair made her look eccentric and totally different from the serious faces of the strangers holding up boards with names on them. We made our way to the back of the crowd to meet her and passed many "Hello! It's so good to see you again"s and "Oh boy, I've missed you so much!"s and hugging and kissing.
We finally met Aunty Emma, about whom I had heard a great deal but never really recalled her actual person as I hadn't seen her since I was 8. Above all it wasn't Aunty Emma that I was actually interested in...it was something she owned...something I had also heard about and listened to with eager ears...If I had known then what I know now I would never have been eager to see Aunty Emma at all, but I didn't so here I was beaming to impress her. And little did I know that it was the beginning of the biggest and most important lesson of my life...(tbc)
