Leaving My Home, The Journey Starts Here
Waking up in the middle of the night to make my way to Manchester Airport, it would be a lie to say I was without nerves. It had been a long time since I last felt the effects of anxiety. However, with such a big move and one of the longest flights one could take ahead of me, it was hard to ignore the vague sense of discomfort and apprehension. The journey starts here.
Moving to Japan was a decision I made with only the most positive of thoughts. In that moment however, the realisation of leaving the UK, a place I had spent my whole life up until this point, only really hit me as I locked the front door to my mid terraced house. Leaving my home for the last time, I handed the keys to my family.
I stopped at a McDonalds drive thru on the way, to get a coffee and small bite to eat.. The chips (fries) were disappointing, the burger too sweet, and the coffee was not as fresh as I had hoped.
Manchester Airport
I arrived at Manchester Airport earlier than required, and was met with a large empty space. Ghost-town-like, the terminal for British Airways was closed until 6am. A few other people were quietly waiting, sleeping in the small seating area. I chose to perch myself in an alcove right by the baggage check-in area, hoping to be the first in the queue.
The long journey ahead of me begins with a short flight to London Heathrow. I was eager to not be sat around with only my thoughts. For my head can be an unpredictable place. However, almost entirely alone in this cold and quiet place, I started to feel a sense positivity about what lay ahead of me.
I was leaving the UK.. A place that in recent years I had become somewhat disenchanted with. Now at the age of 35 and having experienced little else than the town I grew up in, I was excited for something new.
I would be travelling alone, but I would not be arriving alone, for someone very special was waiting for me at the end of this long journey. I looked forward to that moment.
The clock turned to 6am and expectedly, the check-in desk opened late.. I had succeeded in being the first in line.
A queue starts with one person.. I made the decision to be that person, and soon after, others started moving to join me. In a slightly disorderly but characteristically British way, we all lined up waiting for the BA (British Airways) check-in staff to start their work day.
I was relieved to hear “You will pick up your luggage in Tokyo”.
The First Flight
My first flight, taken on a Airbus A320 was cramped and without much refreshments.. Only a choice of corn nuts or a chocolate bar were offered, along with a small bottle of spring water. All I really wanted was another coffee.. I would have to wait.
Around 45 minutes later, we were landing at London Heathrow.
