My long journey

My Long Journey
It was the hot and humid summer of 2000. I didn’t know that this was going to be the last summer that I spent in my native city of Bogota. Impatiently, I sat waiting for my parentsto come back from the US embassy. I walked back and forth from the kitchen to my room and up and down the stairs. I couldn’t help but to just stare at the clock. It seemed like it had been noon forthe last three hours. I didn’t know if I was sweating because it was hot or I was so nervous. Why was it taking so long for them to come back? Why haven’t they called me with some news?
All of asudden, I heard a squeaky sound. I recognized the sound of the garage door opening. I jumped off the couch. My heart was pumping like it was struggling to get blood. I ran frantically to my parents.All I could do when I saw them was just stare.
After the longest two seconds of my life my mom just gave me a hug and told me something I will never forget, “promise me that you will always findyour way back home”. And that is how my international student journey began.
I was calm until a week before my trip. My mom started to show me how accomplish everyday tasks like how to use the washerand dryer, what to use to clean a restroom, and how to cook and egg. I was not going to have a maid anymore? Was I prepared for that?
I began to visualize myself in my new life. A life without acurfew. A life where I will be responsible for my own actions and decision. A life where I could eat what I choose and go to bed without my parents little speech. Yes, I was 19 years old, but I wasstill living with my over protective parents. Was this my opportunity to gain my freedom? No, it was the opportunity to fulfill my dreams.
The day of my departure had finally arrived. I wish I couldsay I woke up at 3:30 am, but to be honest, I had not been able to sleep for the week before my departure. Quietly, I went to my parent’s room and I realized that I was not the only one with...