I had a trip home from college that was a doozy. I was a freshman…new to being away from home…new to the United States…at least as an adult. I had lived in the U.S. as a child. I was more than ready to see my family for Christmas and the New Year.
My journey started early the morning after my last final. My transition to college had been a rocky one. I took classes that I thought would be interesting…big mistake. I didn’t know then that I had ADHD although there were signs…big ones. I soon realized that I was at a distinct disadvantage in my American Studies class as I last took history when I was in 6th grade. It’s hard to learn everything about America history, georgraphy, politics, and culture in just a few months. Also, my intro Biology class was a mystery and I had to drop the class…of course after the deadline.
I powered through my finals as best I could. I was ready to go home. I hadn’t seen my family since college drop off. I had been a little homesick early on, but quickly found my footing with dorm life, friends, frat parties, and all. After 3 months of only speaking to my parents on the phone, I was ready for family time over the holidays.
By some minor miracle, I did not sleep through my battery alarm clock…remember no iphones back then! The taxi I booked arrived on time and I was off to the races. Walking from the entrance of my dorm to the taxi, I stepped in a huge, icy, cold puddle. Not a great way to start a trip!
I took a taxi to the Lancaster, PA, train station. From there, I took the train to Philadelphia. Once in Philadephia, I took another taxi to the Philadelphia Airport. I knew I had a 6-hour layover, but hadn’t factored in what I would do to pass the time. Remember…no phone, no iPad. There was also no TV in my terminal. There were also no restaurants or shops. Did I even have a book? Weird.
I boarded a plane to JFK, 10 hours after leaving my dorm room. Bear in mind, that my parents had no way to contact me nor me them. I possibly called them on a payhone, but may not have with the time difference. They just knew that I would make every connection with time to spare.
After arriving at JFK, I realized that I was having trouble with my massive suitcase with the Wendy’s Where’s the Beef sticker. There were no sturdy, high-tech wheeled suitcases back then. You carried or dragged or pulled a suitcase with flimsy wheels hoping that the suitcase wouldn’t topple over!
I remember feeling so relieved after checking in my suitcase with the British Airways gate agent. This was pre-9/11, so there was no TSA security check. Your luggage was x-rayed, but people weren’t. You boarded the plan without screening. Yikes.
I probably watched a movie on the transatlantic flight. As I say it was the 1980s, so the only entertainment was via the in flight screens. At some point after dinner, giant screens were lowered, headphones distributed, and everyone watched the same movie. News reel of the events of the previous few days, a short documentary, followed by the movie. Google says that the movie on a JFK to Heathrow flight in 1983 might have been The Right Stuff or Tootsie or Trading Places or Star Wars: Revenge of the Jedi now called Star Wars IV: Revenge of the Jedi. I have no idea what I watched.
Sometime after I left my dorm room, my dad left his aprtment in Milan to begin his long journey to Manchester to celebrate Christmas…and pick me up at Heathrow first. His journey was driving from Milan through Switzerland to France to catch the car ferry from Le Havre, France to Southampton, England. After a 10.5-hour drive through 3 countries, he boarded a 6-hour car ferry. It was late December, so the ferry cross could have been very rough.
Once he landed in Southampton, he had a 1.5 hour drive to Heathrow…probably longer due to rush hour traffic. At the point where I exited through International Arrivals at Heathrow, my dad was standing there to meet me. Amazing. Remember, I did not have a phone so had no way to contact my dad.
Our trip wasn’t done as we had to drive to Manchester…actually Wilmslow. After a 3.5-hour car ride, I was so happy to be home!
