Which way?

I had arrived! The overwhelming feeling of excitement shot through me as I stepped off the plane. I follow the crowd hoping they knew where to go to pick up the luggage. I waited for my luggage, as I watched everyone else grab their luggage off the conveyor belt.  I prayed my luggage wasn’t lost since it was taking a while to emerge. I saw my luggage come around the conveyor belt bin. Relieved, I pull it off.  I stared at a few signs to find out where I was to go next. I was nervous this was going to be the wrong way, but I headed down the hallway despite my nervousness. I ended up in the main lobby of the airport. Next, I knew I needed to buy a bus ticket. I headed over to the information desk to get help. I was given instructions on how to get to where I needed to go. I had different ideas as of how it would be to come to a new country, so then I asked if there was anywhere I needed to check in. The information desk clerk said that I could just leave the airport. Baffled, I repeated them saying I can just leave. They confirmed my statement with a yes. I made my way to the bus loop. I knew that I was told to stand under the number two bus sign; however, my nerves made me doubt myself.  Back home cars are the main form of transportation, so I lacked knowledge on how bus systems worked.  I walked down to bus area two, but then went back and forth between two and five. I waited a while for the bus, I thought it was supposed to have arrived already. I was very nervous that I was going to be late dropping of my luggage at the CIEE office. I finally found the bus I needed, but I was standing under the five instead of the two. I flagged the bus down as it was passing me. I didn’t know if I could get on through the second doors so I started to move towards the front doors. The bus driver started to close the doors when they realized what I was doing. I fumbled to get my ticket out, but the bus driver didn’t have any patience for me and told me not to bother and to just get on the bus. I hurried on with my two backpacks and suitcase.  I quickly took a seat. A few people had glanced over at me. I looked at a sign that indicated it was a seat for older adults. I figured I would move just to be safe. I was just about ready to move to another seat when the bus comes to a stop and my suit case goes flying to the front. After my suitcase went flying someone offered to help. I said yes and thank you. They go and retrieve my suitcase and I take my two bags to another seat. I noticed once I sat down that there was a luggage rack. The person puts my suitcase on the rack. I thank them again. I gather my thoughts together and remembered that I was in Sweden. Again, I get a burst of excitement. I wasn’t sure which bus stop to get off at, so I figured I would just know when I got there. I was hesitant about the bus stop that we had just stopped at, but then I noticed that there was no one else on the bus. I was wondering if this was the last stop for the bus. I spot one last passenger grabbing their suitcase. To be sure this is the right stop I asked them. They confirm that I’m in the right location and offer to grab my suitcase from the bus. As soon as I exit the bus, it takes off. I start to walk with my two bags and suitcase. This is not an easy task. I’m at the bus station, but I’m not sure which bus to get on. I check my phone, but no service. I had a misconception that Wi-Fi would be all over Sweden, at least in the heavily populated areas. I didn’t have a sim card yet, so Wi-Fi was crucial at that point. I started to panic as I walked up and down the path trying to figure out which bus I was to get on. Since I couldn’t figure out which bus I needed to get on I headed to the bus station. Once I got inside I spotted the information desk. I wait in line and I walk up to the counter when it was my turn. Another person comes up next to me and the desk worker helps them.  I’m at a lost, I don’t understand. I sit down and take in my surroundings. I notice a number machine. I grab a number and I’m finally helped. I tell them my situation and show them my map. They give me directions and I say thank you. I walk very far with my two backpacks and suitcase. I was getting worn out pretty quick. I finally got to the area that the desk worker told me about and I don’t see any bus pick up areas. I was standing outside a bakery and thought that I could go in and ask questions. I looked at the three steps and the door then down at my suitcase. I didn’t want to leave my suit case outside, but it was going to be very difficult to get it inside.  I struggled to get inside the bakery. Once I was in I waited for the baker. I told them my situation. They said they didn’t really know which bus I was supposed to take. Noticing that I really needed help they gave directions as best as they could. I left the bakery and continued on in search for the right bus. I had made all the right turns I was supposed to but I didn’t end up where they said I should. I asked a few people on the street who turned out to be students at Uppsala University. Again, I’m given directions. They seemed to know what they were talking about, so I followed their route.  I was exhausted to no end. I was sweating, upset. And late. After I took a few breaks reflecting on how miserable I was carrying all this luggage around with me I finally make it to Stadshuset. I see the bus number I need to get on. Just to be sure this is the right bus I asked the bus driver. They responded in Swedish and realized that they couldn’t speak English. I take a seat hoping I’m on the right bus.  I asked this other person how to get to the university and they said I was on the wrong bus and was on the other side of town. They weren’t sure which bus I needed to take, but they would try to help me anyways. They pulled up google maps since I didn’t have a data. We look at google maps together and get back on the same bus. They talked to the bus driver in Swedish. They then turned to me and told me the bus driver would let me know when I was at the right stop. Finally, I get off the bus. I’m no wimp, but I’m completely exhausted I don’t even know if I can drag my luggage anymore. The idea of getting rid of this suitcase motivates me. I dredge on until I come to a few buildings that seem to be the right location. My phone battery just died. I had no idea how I was supposed to contact Felicitas. Even if my phone was fully charged, I didn’t have Wi-Fi or a sim card. I started to think, where could I go to charge my phone? I came up blank. I didn’t even know if Felicitas was still in the office since I was several hours late. I figured I had been walking around for four hours. I started to break down. I tried not crying, but in the next moment my face was flooded with tears. My phone wasn’t not charged, no way of contacting Felicitas, I didn’t know where my hostel was, I didn’t have a sim card, and my body was sore. I stood there crying.  Time passes and my tears are still fresh, but I knew I had to do something. I started to make my way back to the path when I noticed a person pull into the parking lot. Desperate, I approached the car. They got out of the car and could tell I needed some help. I began to tell them my story and I just burst into tears again. They were very kind and lent me their phone. I contacted Felicitas and she told me she was on her way. There are several things I learned that day: people will not always be patient with you; no matter how many wrong turns you take you will eventually get to where you’re going; there is no shame in crying, and even the hardships are worth the adventure.

Guest post by: Kirsten Bronson