"If you walk down another two blocks you'll see a Starbucks on your left. Do you want me to give you a hand carrying those bags?" The officer asked.
"No, it's fine, thank you, and thanks for the directions." I replied
"Where are you from?"
"Australia"
"Are you travelling alone or with someone?"
"I'm travelling alone, I left home just a few days ago."
A look of surprise and concern shot through his eyes for a moment. "Aren't you scared?"
I paused for a moment, thinking about the previous two weeks, waking up in the middle of the night with my mind in a state of panic, and the same message from my sub conscience: "Don't get on the plane..it's too scary. You don't know what's going to happen!"
"And what? Stay here where i'm unhappy but 'safe'? Is that the life you want me to have?"
"You're leaving with $500! How far do you think you're going to go with that?"
"That will change" I reassured the voice inside. "I have a plan. Now stop waking me up, I'm going back to sleep."
This went on each night until it was time to leave home.
I felt like I had already conquered the scariest part. I still had to survive my 3 day layover in Toronto, make it to Cuba, find a place to stay, and catch the final flight planned to Mexico.
I looked back at the officer with a smile. "Not anymore," i replied. "I've already conquered the scariest part."