Let The Adventure Begin

So there I was, standing in the train terminal at Heathrow airport trying to make a phone call on a public phone with a ten pound note. I felt completely lost, and closer to tears than I care to admit. You see, I needed to get hold of my uncle before I got onto the train so that we could hopefully meet up in Islington at the same time. Only problem was that all I have is an email from my uncle telling me which train to catch and a phone number which seems at least ten digits too long on a cell phone that is about to die.

It was Friday morning and the day was not off to a good start.

It had been an interesting week so far. On Monday evening whilst chatting to my mom I decided it was a good idea to pack up my bags and move to England from South Africa. On Tuesday morning I booked my flights and by Wednesday afternoon I was sitting at Gino’s having my farewell dinner with my nearest and dearest. By the time Thursday morning had arrived I was nervous, excited, happy and sad all at the same time, and the worst part of all, it was time to say goodbye.

I am not very good at goodbyes. Hell, I don’t think anybody particularly enjoys them, but as I stood at the airport, with my teddy in hand, I realised just what an idiot I was for thinking that moving to the other side of the world was a good idea. Not only did I have to say goodbye to my friends, my family and my super cute and completely adorable brother, but I also had to say goodbye to my boyfriend, in public, where EVERYONE could watch me cry my eyes out. Not a good life choice.

But after a horrible goodbye and a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg which consisted of tears, tears and more tears, I finally entered Customs at OR Tambo and realised, with excitement that my adventure was about to begin. And the only thing standing between me and my adventure was three hours of duty free shopping. The boyfriend was immediately forgotten, and after realising that the shoes in duty free still cost more than my entire bank account, I made my way to the pub!

This is where all great adventures should begin!

So after a “couple” of beers, and a bajillion hour flight in which no sleep was had, here I was standing in Heathrow trying to call my uncle... and not getting through. But after a few tears and several attempts I finally heard a familiar voice on the other end of the line and a panic attack was averted. I made it onto the correct train, heading in the correct direction and it wasn’t long before I was leaving the correct train station and heading for our proposed meeting spot.

Crises averted. Let the adventure begin!