When I left Bangladesh for Nepal, I was sick. I had lost my voice and was in the beginning stages of a respiratory infection. I went to Nepal by myself, not knowing anyone, and no idea where to go. I was 18 and terrified.
The flight that I went on to Nepal happened to be the same flight as the Nepali cricket team. Cricket is a huge deal in South Asia and the Asia Cup was going on at that time.
When I went to pay for my visa, the ATM machine wasn’t working. So what was the logical solution to the problem according to the airport staff? Leave my passport with them and go outside of the airport to go to the ATM. Well. Here I was, alone, unable to speak because I was sick, into this mob of fans waiting to greet the Nepali cricket team. There was military, police, fences, too many people, and marching bands. Of course the ATM was way on the other side of this human fence. I literally crawled underneath of people and gates to get to that ATM machine.
When I finally had my money, I crawled underneath this human fence, again, to get back to the entrance. The security would not let me go back into the airport until the cricket team had come up. I was frustrated, tired, confused, and afraid. But when the team came out and I saw everyone’s excitement, I laughed at myself, smiled, and lived in the moment.
I guess the moral of this story is that sometimes there will be plenty of obstacles in your way. But, sometimes those obstacles lead to moments that you never would have experienced otherwise. Embrace the uncomfortable and unfamiliar. Live in the moment and enjoy it.
wanderandbefree 