BOSTON – With my passport in my hand, and sweat trickling down my forehead, I wondered if I was really ready to travel by myself.
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I had been counting down the days until I would get to meet my Youth Journalism International friends in Cape Town, but the thought of having to travel without the comfort of my family left me feeling daunted as the conference drew closer.
Prior to arriving at the airport, I made sure all my documents were secure. Passport, check. Boarding pass, check. Travel authorization letter, check. Or so I thought.
As it turned out, since I was traveling as a minor, I needed a notarized letter signed by both of my parents to leave the country alone. My stomach dropped when the airline agent told us this at check in. My dad immediately pulled out his phone, calling a notary office and my mom at home, while I stood there clutching my papers, trying not to panic.
In a blur of phone calls, signatures, and scanning, the letter was finally notarized! But by then, I wouldn’t have enough time to make it through security and get to my gate. My heart sank and I felt crushed, thinking I wasn’t able to travel to Cape Town after all.
Thankfully, the airline staff offered to rebook me on the next flight. I remember thanking them profusely and when I finally made it through security and reached my gate, I sank into the chair, exhausted.
I didn’t dare move. I was terrified that if I left the gate, it would somehow disappear or worse, I’d miss that flight too.
Eventually, the boarding announcement for my flight echoed through the speakers. I stood up and pretended to confidently scan my boarding pass. The machine beeped, and as I walked down the bridge, I couldn’t wait for the journey and people awaiting me.
Shiara Naveen is a Senior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.
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