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

289
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.
beer on the beach

Summer is hot and humid, and it's almost like summer was made specifically to drink the refreshing, cold, crisp wonderful, delicious, nutritious nectar of the gods. Which is none other than beer; wonderful cold beer. With summer playing peek-a-boo around the corner while we finish up this semester, it's time to discuss the only important part of summer. And if you haven't already guessed, it's beer. There are few things I take more seriously than my beer, in order are: sports... and beer. Here are my favorite summer brews:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

7 Reasons SoCal Rocks!

75 degrees and sunny, plus, no humidity. I mean do I really need to say more?

1556
woman in black and white long sleeve shirt carrying girl in red jacket in Venice beach
Photo by Jeff Hopper on Unsplash

SoCal summers are the best summers by far, and honestly, no argument is needed. But, if you aren't sure why SoCal summers are the best, here are 7 reasons why!

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

25 Lyrics for Selfie Captions

Because let's be honest, we all use lyrics.

53827
woman takes a selfie for social media
Pixabay

Sometimes you can't think of the perfect caption for your Instagram post. I love using lyrics as my captions because there's so many great lines in songs that just seem to fit in the moment. Here are some lyrics that could work for your selfie or pictures of you with your friends!

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Bruce Springsteen's Top 7 Lyrics

Everything Bruce says in his classic rock songs.

20283
bruce springsteen album cover born in the usa

Anyone who was born and raised in New Jersey (or anywhere really) knows of Bruce Springsteen, whether or not they like him is a whole other situation. I hope that his hundreds of classic rock songs and famous high energy performances, even in his sixties he can put on better concerts than people half his age, are at least recognizable to people of all ages. Love him or hate him (I identify with the former) you have to admit that some of his songs and interviews have inspirational quotes and lyrics.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

New England Summers Are The BEST Summers

Why you should spend your next summer in New England.

5432
Marconi Beach

Three years ago, I chose to attend college in Philadelphia, approximately 360 miles away from my small town in New Hampshire. I have learned many valuable lessons away from home, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in Pennsylvania. One thing that my experience has taught me, however, is that it is absolutely impossible to beat a New England summer.

You cannot beat the beach. Believe it or not (which many people may not), New England has a long and beautiful coastline. Most of my high school summers were spent sitting on the Wall at Hampton Beach, getting sunburnt and eating Acai bowls from The Secret Spot. The Wall was the place to be both during the day and at night. We begin our days there with a KB's bagel and coffee, and end them with pizza and ice cream. It’s not a New England summer without that 4 p.m. text from someone, “Who wants to meet at the Wall tonight?” Nighttime is for Tripoli’s Pizza, the sound of waves, and wishes on shooting stars. Wednesday nights are especially important, as those are the nights that Hampton Beach sets off the weekly firework display.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments