My First Flight Experience

Sept 24, 2013

It’s been 4 months since I left Canada for my first time. I was so nervous yet so excited. My flight was for 6:30 am on June 20th of this year. I was heading to EDC Las Vegas. My first international electronic music festival. I arrived at the Edmonton International Airport super early. 3 am Early. I wanted to be over prepared. I had no clue what kinds of problems I would run into. The airport was such a maze. No one around to ask where to go. I didn’t even have my boarding passes yet. I practically walked to one side of the airport to find out I was going in the wrong direction. No stress. I simply turned around. Finally after what feels like 45 minutes I make it to the place that you can get your boarding passes. I was happy to see that the flight I was on had many other festival go-ers too. No longer did I feel alone. These people are from home. We were all going to EDC.

As me and the group continued through the airport processes I couldn't help but think, that we are all here for the same reason. Love, unity, bliss, peace and to celebrate the love of electronic music. My eyes were glazed over in complete happiness. Nothing could ruin this moment.

It felt like forever until we were able to board the flight. The chairs in the waiting area were so uncomfortable. Just me and my carry on bag. I feared having to experience lost luggage on my first ever trip. So I avoided it altogether. I packed light enough that I could fit everything in the biggest possible carry-on luggage that was approved by the majority of airlines.

Then it was time. Our flight was called. Adrenaline started to rise. I never been on a plane before. I had no clue what to expect.

I was sitting in the aisle beside two other girls roughly my age. I ended up finding out that they too were going to the festival. I told them about all the new things I will be experiencing. First time on a plane, first time out of the country, first time to EDC and my first time to Vegas. They were so surprised. “You should be the one sitting here by the window!” I laughed. Their intentions were in the right place, but we had already taken our seats.

Then we started moving! Such adrenaline!! I was SO excited! We turned a couple times, then all of a sudden it was like the plane went in turbo mode. What a roller coaster ride! The plane started to incline. I was constantly looking out the windows on each side. I couldn’t believe it. “I’m on a plane!!” The girls squirmed as we took off. I on the other hand loved it. Even the turbulence we experienced. There wasn’t a moment during that first flight that I didn’t enjoy.

The picture to the left was the plane that I boarded once I got to Phoenix, Arizona. I never really got to experience the heat there. But from what I experienced in Vegas shortly after I’m sure it wasn’t too far off.

Once I boarded the plane in Phoenix I was very open and chatty. I started talking to these two women beside me that were going to Vegas for a Bachelorette party. I asked them about Vegas since I never been. “What’s it like?” “What’s your favorite thing to do there? “Where are you staying?” I was just so intrigued. I seen pictures of Vegas and in movies, but never really thought to look any up before heading out. I didn’t even know what my hotel looked like. I just recognized the name as a trusted name. (MGM GRAND)

We finally arrived at the airport. I thanked the ladies for keeping me company. I was standing tall and nothing could stop me. As everyone went to grab their bags I was off trying to find my way out. The signs weren’t the clearest. And I was doubting if where I was going was the right way. I was lost. I found the way after finally asking someone where I could catch a taxi. There were people EVERYWHERE! Horns honking, people yelling, noise and traffic everywhere. Shock immediately set in. I didn’t know where to go or what to do. I just wanted to get to my hotel. The side of the street I was on looked impossible to get a taxi. So I decided to go to the other side where the taxis were dropping people off. Back home if you see a taxi that’s dropping someone off then it’s no problem to hop in after. Cabbies love it back home. So I ask the driver if I can take the taxi. He said yes and on our way we go. Not even 2 minutes after a cop pulls us over. My driver was getting a traffic ticket for picking me up. I was instantly lost again and didn’t know what to do. Apparently it’s illegal for cab drivers in Vegas to pick people up in a drop off zone because of injuries that have happened in the past. Instant lesson learned. I was told to walk across the street where taxis are supposed to be caught. No way was I catching a taxi there. With the level of confidence I now had, I really didn’t think it was possible. So I seen these buses. Went over and asked if this was a bus I could take. Finally something I can get on and not worry about. I asked if I had to pay for it and I got quite a rude response. I started feeling worried. But I hopped on and decided to go wherever this bus was going to go. The bus finally leaves the airport and I finally register that this bus was going to a car rental shop. What on earth am I going to do with a car rental. I can’t drive a car here. There was nothing I could do now, I’m stuck on this bus. I was practically in tears at this point. I just wanted to be within the security of the hotel I booked. Why I can’t I just get to the hotel. For some reason I happened to look over beside me. A young little girl about the age of 3 or so, started laughing and making funny faces at me. I played along for a bit, waving and making funny faces back to her. She was the angel along the way that helped me. Make me realize that it’s not a huge deal. Life’s an adventure. Just go with the flow and see where it takes you.

Things may be overwhelming at times. You might want to curl up in a ball, hide and cry yourself to sleep. But you can’t just surrender like that. Life will beat you down. But life will never give you a situation you can’t handle.

That was my first flight experience. What a ride. I can’t say the journey back from EDC was the same. I knew what to expect and my mind was physically and mentally drained from the activities that took place that weekend.