Flying Solo Internationally for the First Time As Told By Spirited Away | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Flying Solo Internationally for the First Time As Told By Spirited Away

It's not as intimidating as you think!

291
Flying Solo Internationally for the First Time As Told By Spirited Away
Wallpaper Cave

Going on an international adventure all by yourself sounds like a dream. But, the first time, as most first times are, is always intimidating. Getting your boarding pass ready, making sure you have your passport and keeping your sanity through security (which, by the way, is more intense in my opinion for international travel versus domestic) can all make flying solo internationally seem difficult and tiresome. And, not to mention, the hours-on-end layovers if you have connecting flights to your destination and the issue of communication as you test out speaking the language of your visiting country (unless you're a native/ skilled speaker). However, once you get used to it, you can make it into one of the best adventures you will have. Here is a personal take on how it is to fly solo internationally for the first time, as told by one of Studio Ghibli's masterpieces, Spirited Away.

The luggage is packed. The taxi is here. And you are on your way to the airport! Let the adventure begin!

The check-in counter!

Looking at your luggage as it goes away, farther and farther away along the conveyor belt:


Finally! Free of all that heavy luggage until your final destination!

Security Check!

Ah, the bustle of security as you hurriedly make it through the scanners and security personnel, all in barefoot. At least you'll get some down time while waiting for the gates to open at the terminal, right?

Finding the terminal and boarding the airplane!

Running to the terminal like:

As those terminal doors open and you go through the connecting tunnel to board the aircraft, you know what's next after all this hardship and waiting.

Release the endless stream of entertainment!


The only time you can watch all the movies you want and not feel guilty or get yelled at afterwards! It's almost Netflix and chill, except there is usually no ice cream and the leg space is tight. But, you do get blankets!

In the rare case ice cream is provided:


The infamous airplane food.

I'll admit I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to airplane food. If anything, it pretty much depends on how lucky you get that day. (As a side-note, whenever they offer you drinks such as juice and water, take it!)

Seating and sitting.

How I feel (and how my legs feel) most of the time after the first hour of flight travel:

Yeah. Economy class seating is pretty hard on the legs, so make sure you get up and walk time to time, especially if your total flight time is somewhere near 20 hours (unless you want to stay squished up like Chihiro here)!

Oh, and there's the whole awkward moment of getting up when you end up in the middle seat or the window seat and are surrounded by strangers:


Discovering sleep in the skies.


Didn't get enough sleep last semester? Well, here's your chance to catch up on some snooze if you haven't already! This is also a pretty good alternative if all the movies available aren't to your liking. Oh, yes, and discovering sleep now is especially good if you don't want to become jet-lagged later.


Connecting flights + layovers = Shopping internationally.


What better way to spend the time waiting than looking around all the malls and shopping stalls they have within the airport? (Hopefully, it won't be as empty as the streets of the spirit world during day time)

Your final destination...has arrived!


Now the only remaining thing to do is to execute your itinerary and all the grand plans you have!

Hopefully, flying solo internationally doesn't faze you anymore. So go out there and enjoy traveling like a real adventurer!


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

16748
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

318016
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Yoga love

A long over due thank you note to my greatest passion.

30582
A person in a yoga pose surrounded by a supportive community of fellow yogis with a look of peace and gratitude on their face the image should convey the sense of strength mindfulness and appreciation that the writer feels towards yoga
StableDiffusion

Dearest Yoga,

You deserve a great thank you.

Keep Reading...Show less
Arts Entertainment

Epic Creation Myths: Norse Origins Unveiled

What happened in the beginning, and how the heavens were set in motion.

10691
The Norse Creation Myth

Now, I have the everlasting joy of explaining the Norse creation myth. To be honest, it can be a bit kooky, so talking about it is always fun. The entire cosmos is included in this creation myth, not just the earth but the sun and the moon as well. This will be a short retelling, a summary of the creation myth, somewhat like I did with Hermod's ride to Hel.

Keep Reading...Show less
Old school ghetto blaster sat on the floor
8tracks radio

We all scroll through the radio stations in the car every once in a while, whether its because we lost signal to our favorite one or we are just bored with the same ol' songs every day. You know when you're going through and you hear a song where you're just like "I forgot this existed!" and before you know it, you're singing every word? Yeah, me too. Like, 95% of the time. If you're like me and LOVE some good throwback music, here's a list of songs from every genre that have gotten lost in time, but never truly forgotten.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments