Flying high
It was my biggest dream as a child — to fly!
My family remembers seeing me dreaming about airplanes, watching them from afar, wishing that, one day, I’d get to be on a plane to see beyond the horizon! It was my biggest dream as a child — to fly!
I was 17 when I first left Home to go on a short trip to London. The excitement of the 1st day was remarkable — remembering all the airport rules, being as quick as I could through the security checks, seeing an airplane for the first time, getting inside anxiously waiting for the take off… The ‘take offs’ still make my heart skip a beat! In a good way — it’s an incredible adrenaline rush for the first few seconds! It’s like being in suspense and then, although I know exactly what the aftermath is, I’m still stunned by it. It often feels like a relief, a blast of air that fills one’s heart, a never-ending dream! The magic being filled up when staring through the window and seeing the city getting smaller and smaller, contemplating the waves breaking ashore, defining the country’s borders, trying to identify the rivers below and the mountains next to it, hoping to see home from afar. I’d aim to make the full-circle to finally reply to my younger self saying: “I’m finally on that plane you’re spying on from the playground”! I hope such sensation never goes away…
Then, as we’re finally high up in the clouds and more relaxed, a new adrenaline rush comes in: thinking about the new destination. Will it look like all the photos I’ve seen? We’d shortly be landing and, as we exit the plane (or, in reality, the airport area), it feels like we’d just entered Narnia. Nothing seems real, everything looks magical. There’s a sense of unease filled with excitement, a nervous ecstasy, a fear of disappointment, a wish to return already! We’re children all over again! We’re taking the first steps to discovering the world, expanding our bubble whilst being sure it will never-ever pop! I hope such sensation never goes away…
I must be honest — my definition of Home (this “bubble”) is broadly undefined. I’m often asked “Where’s home?” (which often subtilizes its direct translation of “Where’s that accent from?”). Honestly, that makes me roll my eyes. It always has since the very first day I set foot in the Queen’s land. I can tell you where I was born and lived for 18 years: Portugal, for the record! I can tell you where I do feel at home: London! I can tell you where my accent is from, if you have time for such a long list! The truth is: 1) I always say “London”; 2) There’s never a full truth to it; 3) We explore different places and fall in love with them.
Traveling defines us unconditionally, we take on parts of the World with us. As a European, I feel that Europe is its own country, we can travel freely, safely and explore 47 cultures that extend to a short 5h travel journey (by air), from the West coast to the Eastern borders. There’s breathtaking sites, nature and history, art and music. I look forward to exploring this land and connecting with its people. Who knows where I’ll find Home again…
“The journey is my home” — Muriel Rukeyser
