A distance of 6,278 miles separates my immediate family from my extended family. Holiday after holiday the absence of any relatives plagues my mind. My friends travel to nearby cities in order to spend time with those that they love most, while I have no choice but to rely on the company of the of the members of my household. However, once a year, my sister, father, mother, and I take a trip to Jordan, a country in the Middle East where my grandparents and aunt reside. This trip often includes as much fun, laughter, and even humiliation as an entire year would be able to provide. No two of these marvelous adventures have ever transpired exactly the same in their entirety. One year, soon after we arrived in Jordan, we drove to Dubai, the city
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A soft tone sounds through the speakers, and the pilot instructs everyone on the plane to prepare for our final descent into the vast desert of Amman, where my wonderful second life exists. The nerve-wracking landing concludes, and the grueling process of exiting the massive plane begins. Our family decides, based on our proximity to the front, whether it is in our best interest to wait for the plane to entirely clear out before we began to collect our bags and leave, or jump up the moment the bright “fasten your seatbelt” sign completely fades away. More often than not, we agree on swiftly collecting our belongings since we find satisfaction in maximizing time with our extended family. Once we have successfully left the plane, we then immediately walk towards another mandatory waiting game, and this time, our jubilant energy will not aid us in our quest of reducing time spent in the airport. We have reached a standstill in the form of the notoriously sluggish baggage claim. The time necessary to retrieve all of our luggage relies solely on the speed and agility of the workers, whom I've concluded conduct business in a profoundly lackadaisical manner. While my parents are waiting for the baggage carousels’ alarm to sound, my sister and I peek through the oscillating exit doors in hope of catching a glimpse of a familiar face. Although we …show more content…
My grandfather and aunt display an impressive collection of balloons and flowers at the pick-up zone that never fails to catch our attention. Immediately we make any adjustments to our walking course and meet at the point in which the pleasing display rests. Without hesitation, enthusiastic greetings are exchanged between all parties, which has thankfully become an increasingly familiar experience. I am always reminded of how much I have grown in the past year despite my inability to recognize or at times even accept it. Due to the exceptionally expensive cost of what would be a one hour and thirty-minute taxi ride, my grandfather transports our family back home with his Toyota Prius. Before we begin our journey to my grandparents’ house, we quickly visit my favorite local falafel restaurant, a stop that I have been anxiously anticipating for months. This already delicious meal tastes even better following the atrocious airline food. Now that I feel aptly fed, we get back into the car and begin the final stage of transportation to my temporary home. Since the initial encounter has concluded, my adrenaline levels decrease and I sleep for the entirety of the car ride home. In what feels like an instant I am shaken awake by my mother. I then promptly peer outside of my window,
A soft tone sounds through the speakers, and the pilot instructs everyone on the plane to prepare for our final descent into the vast desert of Amman, where my wonderful second life exists. The nerve-wracking landing concludes, and the grueling process of exiting the massive plane begins. Our family decides, based on our proximity to the front, whether it is in our best interest to wait for the plane to entirely clear out before we began to collect our bags and leave, or jump up the moment the bright “fasten your seatbelt” sign completely fades away. More often than not, we agree on swiftly collecting our belongings since we find satisfaction in maximizing time with our extended family. Once we have successfully left the plane, we then immediately walk towards another mandatory waiting game, and this time, our jubilant energy will not aid us in our quest of reducing time spent in the airport. We have reached a standstill in the form of the notoriously sluggish baggage claim. The time necessary to retrieve all of our luggage relies solely on the speed and agility of the workers, whom I've concluded conduct business in a profoundly lackadaisical manner. While my parents are waiting for the baggage carousels’ alarm to sound, my sister and I peek through the oscillating exit doors in hope of catching a glimpse of a familiar face. Although we …show more content…
My grandfather and aunt display an impressive collection of balloons and flowers at the pick-up zone that never fails to catch our attention. Immediately we make any adjustments to our walking course and meet at the point in which the pleasing display rests. Without hesitation, enthusiastic greetings are exchanged between all parties, which has thankfully become an increasingly familiar experience. I am always reminded of how much I have grown in the past year despite my inability to recognize or at times even accept it. Due to the exceptionally expensive cost of what would be a one hour and thirty-minute taxi ride, my grandfather transports our family back home with his Toyota Prius. Before we begin our journey to my grandparents’ house, we quickly visit my favorite local falafel restaurant, a stop that I have been anxiously anticipating for months. This already delicious meal tastes even better following the atrocious airline food. Now that I feel aptly fed, we get back into the car and begin the final stage of transportation to my temporary home. Since the initial encounter has concluded, my adrenaline levels decrease and I sleep for the entirety of the car ride home. In what feels like an instant I am shaken awake by my mother. I then promptly peer outside of my window,