Preparing for Takeoff!

Preparing for Takeoff!

Kiana's revelations about the exciting adventure that awaits her...

Okay, so I know the title is corny, but its accurate! I am about one week away from my first experience outside of North America! (Yes I have been to Canada and Mexico) I have always wanted to travel to Europe, as I am utterly fascinated by it's culture and history, which has been multiplied by my love for foreign BoyBands and taking multiple European History classes at my home campus of UC Davis (even though I'm not a History major; sorry). European civilization and culture has just been around so much longer than American culture (although I am a MAJOR U.S. History buff; let's just conclude that I am a History buff in general), therefore almost every building and town in Europe just is so rich in historical significance that I am just 'over-the-moon' excited to explore.  In any case, I am completely clueless and green on travelling to Europe, which is extremely exciting, but also terrifying. 

I was honestly shaking when I got off the plane in the Milan airport; I was now in a whole new place, with my father drilling me beforehand about just how far away I would be and how he wouldn't be able to help. Although I barely got any sleep on the plane, I was wide awake, needing to figure out how to get to the train station, and fearing everyone around me as a pick-pocketer (I know, I was exaggerating). The heat, the jet-lag, the masses of people who spoke in a language I did not understand, were a little overwhelming, but my fears were swept away by the incredible scenery on the trains to Vienna (going through the Alps!) and the sleep that inevitably came on my travels. When I finally arrived in Vienna after two days of travelling in the same clothes (eww I know), I could not take my eyes off of the beautiful night life. The taxi ride was easy and not as expensive as I thought, and the hostel was nicer than I thought, and all my expectations for travelling were exceeded. It was a hot day, and I was tired and jet-lagged from two full days of plane and train travel, but it was completely worth it to experience being a bold traveler.

I am now extremely proud to say that I have traveled without trouble across the Atlantic Ocean and the Italian and Austrian Alps, an experience I will never forget.