Packing was a big head-ache. Here are some tips for packing your suitcases:
1- Be selective and objective.
2. Think about the weight.
3. Take passports, tickets and necessary papers in a separate purse.
4. Take light and really necessary stuff in a hand carry.
5. Make sure you can lift all your bags by yourself.
And be confident! ;)
The flight from Karachi to Bahrain Airport was just one hour long but the stay at Bahrain was 16 hours long. Now we were all tired and sleepy after staying whole night awake at Karachi Airport, it was like a bird looking for a shelter in the rain. While these stays, people usually fall asleep. You have to be really careful while sleeping. You have to make sure that all your bags are around you and nobody is able to steal them or put any illegal thing inside your bag. This can get you into a big trouble. We all the Pakistani exchange students grabbed a pretty fancy tent at the Airport, which was representing the Arab culture to the tourists and slept all together in that big, beautiful tent. 50 people and one tent, sounds conjusted right? Exactly, we were squished with each other with no sense of ques or management. As we all lied down, the funny sounds of snores and whines started to distract me. This were obviously my friends who were also so tired that they were snoring and some were complaining but it was fine because even though the snores were so loud, it didn't really matter because we were all too sleepy to concentrate on anything.
After sleeping for a while, we all woke up and moved to Mc Donalds for our lunch. It was a big great International Airport. Everything there was amazing. it was full of people too. People from all around the world. Since we were wearing our program shirts, our shirts got attention of every visitor out there. So, here's what you should not do:
1- Don't talk to any stranger.
2. If they ask about the program , politely guide them for your manager with you but never tell anything by yourself.
3. Be with at least 4 people. To avoid getting lost or left behind.
4. Don't go anywhere alone. If you do, inform your friends.
And you'll be safe! :)
After Behrain, we moved to Kuwait and had a stay of 1 hour at Kuwait Airport. You should always make sure to take all your things with you while you change flights. Don't forget anything in the plane or at the Airports. After Kuwait, we went directly to Washington D.C. It was a 16 hour long flight. We slept throughout the whole way there. It was relaxing.
When we got off from the flight, we had a little interview with the American custom's officer. Outside the Airport, our YES program Alumni were waiting and took us to the hotel. It was unbelievable that I just reached to the U.S.A. The place that I always wanted to go. I was just feeling like a dream.
But this is just the beginning of the fun.. ;D
