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Things I Hope Don’t Happen in Europe

As I embark on my transatlantic adventure, one emotion overwhelms me: fear.

I am about to board a plane from Calgary, Alberta to London, England. Despite the reassurance that I know I’ll have my iPod in hand, terror nervousness is starting to creep in!

My friend and I started planning this trip about a year ago, but somehow the scope of it hasn’t sunk in until his moment. Three months is a long time to be away when you’ve barely stepped foot out of Canada in your life. And if the previous paragraph didn’t paint a clear enough picture, let me spell it out: I’m kind of scared.

So I’m going to indulge my neuroses by laying out some of the fears running through my brain right now. Here is my list of travel fears (in list format, of course):

1. Malnutrition
Can the human body sustain itself for three months on Ichiban noodles and peanut butter packets? This is a question Biology 30 never answered for me. I can’t cook. Plus, funds are tight. So this question is important! Thoughts, anyone?

2. Destitution
Like I said, funds are tight. But good news: our return flight is already booked, so at least we know we won’t be stuck over there!

3. Insomnia
Hostels are noisy places at nighttime. That reminds me - I need to buy earplugs!

4. Theft
I’m going to be responsible for the safety of my passport, my credit card and large amounts of cash at all hours of the day and night. It took me seven months to learn my grade 12 locker combination. Nuff said.

5. Good old-fashioned homesickness
Today I say bye to my mom, my dad and my daily steeped tea from Tim Hortons. It’s going to be rough.

Of course it helps to remember that everybody is doing new, scary things at this time of year. We all might as well jump right in. Time for take off!