Internation hubs like Dubai International Airport (pictured) can be daunting for first time travellers. An old friend of mine and I used to share a tradition of telling each other about our “first times”. Notthosekinds of first times, but life milestones.
When you grow up often wishing and dreaming, every milestone feels worth celebrating: the first time you board an aeroplane, leave your city, or receive a bonus letter. My first international trip was definitely a milestone worth celebrating and certainly a “first time” worth reporting. I’d like to say my report was filled only with excitement, but it was layered with fear too – and I want to share those fears with you.
One of them surfaced when I realised I would be connecting from Dubai to Stansted, England. Having never left the country before, I obsessed over the size of Dubai International Airport. How would I know where to go?
[paywall]
What if I missed my next flight simply because the airport was too big? Dubai International Airport can be a daunting experience for first-time travellers. Here’s a funny story: I rode the escalators up and down at least three times because I didn’t realise I was meant to take a train inside the airport to reach my departure gate.
I’m never shy to ask for help, so I eventually did. And just like that, I was taking a train from one gate to another inside an airport. The world suddenly felt much bigger than I had imagined.
Upon arriving in England, a new wave of anxiety set in. I had never gone through passport control before. I carried a transparent envelope filled with printed travel documents: my itinerary, accommodation details, a doctor’s letter for medication, and proof of travel insurance. You become so nervous that you start to feel as if you’ve done something wrong, or that you might be turned away.
[/paywall]
All Zim News – Bringing you the latest news and updates.
