Leaving your
home for the first time is something great and scary in the same time. It was
2002 when I experienced traveling for the first time. Never do I forget any
tiny detail of that journey. I was 19 when I got a free scholarship to Iraq to
study Civil Engineering. First, I could not believe when one of my relatives
told me that I got the scholarship. It an amazing moment, but it did not last
for a long time. I started to think
about the journey. I realized that I am going to leave my family, my friends
and of course my home. Besides that, never had I been to any country before
which means traveling with no experiences. In fact, I hesitated many times before
I made my decision to start this adventure. Sitting with my family to discuss
and prepare for the journey was the most difficult point. My mother told me
that I do not have the right to let her alone. By the way, I am their solo son.
I know that it was not easy for my parents and me to be separated, but it was
my fate to start a new life. I still remember the moment when my parents
refused to accompany me to the airport. They told me that they cannot stand
that scene when I disappeared in front of their eyes. I did not blame them
because I know that it was unpleasant moment for both of us. Actually, I tried
to be brave in front of them and I told them that I can manage it. It was 8:00
AM on 8/11/2002 when my plane takeoff carrying me with my dreams and fear towards
unknown destination at least at that moment. Passing the plane phobia was easy.
After our landing in Amman airport, I started to look for a taxi. As a foreign,
It was difficult to find a taxi specially with a low price. I took the taxi to
the Jordanian – Iraqian borders. I asked about the traveling procedures. It was
easy to complete it. Then me land journey started. It lasted a long time but it
passed easily. The driver was a gentle man. Of course I had an address of one
of my relatives who was studying there. I did spend much time to find his
apartment. Knocking his door and seeing him in front of me were the moment when
I feel that I was safe. I phoned my family immediately telling them that I am
ok. From the second day, I never feel that I am stranger because the people
were kind.
To sum up,
this journey was the first but not the last. After that, I traveled a lot to
many countries,but I will never forget my first one.
By: Mohamed Al-Eryani
By: Mohamed Al-Eryani
