Journey Abroad

Chapter 1: Departure Day

Maya always knew she was going to do an internship abroad, and now her she was, standing at the airport in Brussels with all her luggage, her family, and a lot of excitement. Since she was eight, she had travelled around the world with her family. She loved travelling and getting to know different cultures. As soon as Maya knew there was a possibility to do her teaching internship abroad, she didn't even hesitate.

Maya knew she was going to miss her family. They had all come to send her off. Her mom, dad, sister and their cute little energetic Maltese Apollo. They were very supportive and enthusiastic but today Maya could see that they were putting on a brave face. They were trying to hide how much they were going to miss her. Except little Apollo of course. He had no clue that this was the last time he would see me in five months. He was just happily accepting all the hugs and treats that Maya was spoiling him with.

Her flight to Nepal was leaving in four hours and she was drinking some hot cocoa with her family, while they were waiting for Emily. When Maya heard that she was going to teach in Nepal with Emily she got over excited. She had known Emily from school and camp. Maya was so relieved that she left on this big journey with someone familiar.

The moment Emily entered the airport Maya jumped up to run toward her travel companion. Overexcited they both hugged each other. 'Can you believe it?' Emily sighed energetic, 'It is finally happening! Can you believe it!'. Maya couldn't help but laugh. 'Last chance to change your mind', Maya giggled.

That is when Maya noticed Adam behind all the luggage. Adam is Emily's boyfriend. He is very excited for us but you can see in the way his expression changed with that last comment how much he was hoping she would just change her mind and stay. Emily sensed it too and she quickly slid his side to give him a playful kiss. Her family was there too, and they all overwhelmed me with hugs and anxious excitement. They too were happy but very aware that we would be gone for five months. All of a sudden, they were with too many to stay in the coffee shop, so Maya and her family quickly finished their hot cocoa and left towards the luggage check in.

Everything went smoothly but the happy and exciting chattering was slowly fading until there was just silence. They were standing in front of the security gates, and it was time to say goodbye. Everyone was trying to be brave but once Emily started to hug Adam, she couldn't hold back her tears and Maya hugged her sister so tightly that Apollo protectively started to bark. His happy little jumps were both funny but at the same time heartbreaking because Maya knew how much she was going to miss his jumps and hugs.

Maya and Emily quickly looked at each other and they both knew they wanted to keep it short. No need to make it more dramatic and painful. They scanned their tickets and waved one last time to their families.

Once they had gotten through the security, Emily realized her boyfriend forgot to give his sweater to her. Maya could see that this broke the already crying Emily. The sweater was not just a sweater. Emily needed it for more then just the warmth. She needed it to smell her boyfriend when she missed him. She needed it to comfort her when she got homesick. She needed it. And now she couldn't have it. While they were waiting at the gate, their family was trying to get their sweater through the security by giving it to stewardesses but no such luck. It did make Emily laugh how much they tried to fix it.

The flight went slow and fast at the same time. they made it just in time to get their second flight and they even managed to sleep a little. When Maya opened her eyes she saw the beautiful Himalayan mountains through the little window. It was breathtaking and Maya knew the adventure had begun. Only a few more minutes and she would be in Nepal. A place she will have to call home for the next five months.