Picture This ||#SoloTravelContest

📸Picture This📸

This particular morning felt different then all of the others. And that's because it was. Claire was getting her take off- quite literally! She was finally going to travel by herself for her photography. She decided her trip would be going to London, and she packed accordingly. She had a part time job at a local Forever 21, so her boss gave her extra discount when Claire went to go London shopping.

Being only 17, Claire walked nervously to the first part of being at the airport. She set down her suitcases and backpacks, then took one of three tablets off of the counter. She sat in a comfy seat and filled out the form on the table asking her things such as her name, age, birthday, license expiration date, etc. Once her form was checked, she went over to security, dragging her luggage behind her and then thrusting it onto the conveyor belt for the security lady to look through. Claire started messing with the ring on her index finger until she was allowed to go. She shuffled away quickly and headed to the Starbucks that was directly to her left. Claire could smell the coffee and the summertime scents as she suddenly became more comfortable in the airport.

While waiting in line, she looked around at the airport. She hasn't gotten to really see what it looked like. It became very obvious why she hasn't looked around until now- it was very boring; white mostly with a little bit of blue and then some fast food places. Then of course there were lounge areas and security desks but those weren't that interesting either.
"Miss? May I help you," a gentle male voice asked. Claire registered that he was talking to her and she should probably order. She felt her face get hot and the barista chuckled.
"I- uh- yeah, um I would like a uh, vanilla bean frapp please," Claire managed. The barista took down her order on a notepad.
"Small, medium, large or grande?"
"I only have enough on me for, uh, a um small," she said, putting her head down. She had left her wallet in her suitcase and didn't feel like opening everyone to find it. She had kept a couple bucks on her for this case.
"Gotcha," he answered. A few minutes later, he came back with a large and Claire looked behind her, wondering if that was for someone else.
"Hey Polka Dots, this is for you," the barista said. Claire smiled and politely declined and said she only could by a small. "No Polka Dots, I'm giving this to you, for free-"
"Here, I'll just-" Claire started and pulled out her money.
"No need. My mom always taught me if I wanted to get a girl I should do something sweet for her." He winked and told her goodbye.
"See ya Starbucks boy." Claire walked away with her stuff and her drink, and couldn't stop smiling. She remembered his blue eyes and his red-blonde hair that he kept swooping to the side. She remembered his smile too. And with that, she hopped on her plane and prepared for her 13 hour flight to London.

———————plane diaries——————
Dear Diary,
This is my first plane trip! I hope to see and take pictures of the Big Ben, the flag, churches, skies and oh it'll be a dream... (I legit just yawned) I just took a very aesthetically pleasing photo of the plane's win and the sky together. Such a beautiful sight. ☺️

Wish me the best,
17 year old Claire Long

—————plane diaries over—————
Claire arrived early the next morning. She set herself up in a very antique, rustic hotel, and immediately went I her new favorite spot- the bed. Just kidding, she threw her mid-back length brown hair into a ponytail and put her clear, round glasses on. She then proceeded to jog down the steps from the second floor and went right in front of the check-in desk. She set up 1 light that wasn't bright but not dark either. She took a picture of a poem and the picture next to it. She made the picture black and white and posted it to her Instagram.

The next day, Claire Long went crazy with the pictures. She went around London all day taking gorgeous pictures of antiques, nature, culture, food- you name it, she had a picture of it.

Now it was Wednesday, and Claire really met someone. Claire was setting up to take a rooftop picture when someone came behind her. The girl introduced herself as Angie and offered to help. Claire declines, explaining that this trip meant a lot to her and it was important she do it alone. She knew that with someone else, she couldn't build as a person as much, and that was part of her goal. She was getting used to being out in her own and she loved it. She also explained to Angie that she's always hated group projects which is why she chose photography as her passion.

Later that week, she had clicked out.  Claire was absolutely exhausted. She officially checked out of her hotel and went to the airport and got in her flight to America.

———————plane diaries——————
Dear Diary,
This trip was amazing! While I learned many things and discovered myself a lot more, one lesson I will definitely cherish forever, is to push the limits. If it weren't for my saving up, working part time, and staying true to my passion, that trip would've just been a dream. I just try to tell myself, that no dream is too big and no dreamer is too small. Future Claire, I hope you have already gone on so many more trips and more to come.

Love,
Claire, 17

——————plane diaries———————

Click!
London 😍