Leaving My City and Heading to Amsterdam: My First Steps to Europe

It was late April, and the day of my big trip had finally arrived. I’ll admit, it wasn’t easy. Saying goodbye to my grandmother, who had raised me, and chasing a dream with no guarantees felt like a huge leap—especially at 20 years old. But there was no turning back. I’d sold my old car, my bike, even my computer that took years to build. Everything was in motion. As the saying goes, “Never look back, not even to gain momentum!”

I love that phrase because it gets me through those “what if” moments. Even if I did go back, I wouldn’t be the same person, and that’s the beauty of big decisions. Back then, though, I wasn’t powered by wisdom or clarity; I was powered by pride and the fear of giving up. I’d put so much on the line that backing out now would’ve shattered the self-confidence I was just starting to build. I remember writing on a notepad every day, sometimes several times a day, the same sentence: “Eu vou conseguir chegar em Amsterdam” (“I will make it to Amsterdam”).

Writing that down helped me stay focused and persistent. I’d come up with every reason for leaving behind my grandma, my family, my friends, and everything I knew for something totally uncertain. I knew I had to try, even if it meant fighting my fears and proving to myself that I could do this.

Saying Goodbye and Taking Off

Finally, the moment arrived. I left Goiânia for São Paulo, heading to the airport for the first time. I wasn’t even there to pick anyone up before! Luckily, my best friend Matheus was with me instead of family. If my grandmother had come to the airport, her tears would have been my undoing. Deep down, I knew this trip wasn’t just a vacation. I had a feeling it would change me in ways I couldn’t explain yet.

Looking back, I regret not recording those moments. I was too shy to vlog with a phone in my face, thinking everyone would stare. But those memories are burned into my mind. I’m learning to be better at capturing the moment now, so if you want to see where this journey’s taken me, check out my YouTube channel: Trips2Happiness.

My First Flight and the “Turbulence Experience”

Boarding that plane felt surreal. For the first time, I felt turbulence (you’ll hear “first time” a lot in this story!). It rattled me, but as soon as it passed, something clicked. This was it. The journey had truly begun. My mind, previously racing with fears and dreams, suddenly settled, and I was in the moment.

I started breathing deeply, trying to calm myself down. And it worked—until a flight attendant handed me a tiny chocolate. My brain went into overdrive. I know it sounds funny, but that small chocolate made me feel like a VIP. This new world of travel was thrilling—and delicious.

Stopover in São Paulo: The Coffee and Cheese Bread Shock

When I landed in São Paulo, I had an eight-hour layover before my next flight to Mexico. I had a charger, Wi-Fi, and a seat, so things were fine. But I’d heard stories about people finding drugs stashed in their luggage at São Paulo’s airport, so I was definitely on high alert.

But do you know what scared me even more? The price of coffee and cheese bread. I kid you not—8 reais for something that usually costs 2 reais outside the airport! I nearly needed a travel loan just to cover snacks. They say airports are infamous for sky-high prices, but this? This was daylight robbery in a cute cup and a tiny pão de queijo that wasn’t even as big as a tennis ball. I briefly considered splitting it in half—half for Brazil, half for Mexico. Forget the horror stories about drug smuggling; this cheese bread was the real criminal here!

The Flight to Mexico: Bigger Plane, Bigger Nerves

As my boarding time for Mexico approached, my anxiety reached a new high. My stomach felt like a Lamborghini engine revving at full throttle (probably not the best analogy—I don’t have a Lamborghini yet, but you get it).

This time, I was on a much larger plane with three rows across and screens for watching shows—a first for me. Since the flight was over nine hours, they served dinner, breakfast, and a snack. I was amazed by the whole experience. I didn’t even want to sleep—there was so much to see, so many shows to watch, and I was soaking in every minute. Eventually, though, a boring movie came on, and I dozed off.


Key Takeaways from Leaving for Europe

Take the Leap: Leaving behind what’s comfortable isn’t easy, but it’s a choice that changes you forever. Don’t wait for the “perfect moment”—just go for it.

Face Your Fears: Fear of failure and the unknown will always be there, but growth happens when you push through. Going after what you want often comes with moments of fear and doubt, but that’s part of the journey.

Capture the Moment: Don’t let embarrassment stop you from recording memories. You’ll want to look back on them someday—trust me, the little things will mean the most.

Savor the Small Wins: Sometimes, it’s the smallest things, like a complimentary chocolate or airplane dinner, that make you feel like a million bucks.

Embrace the Imperfection: If you’re waiting for the perfect moment, you’ll never do it. Just go, even if it’s scary. Take the leap, break a leg, “dá seus pulos”—if something goes wrong, trust that the universe will help you out. Even if things get tough, you’ll walk away with a valuable lesson. That’s what life is all about.


Landing in Mexico City: A Rollercoaster of Firsts

I woke up to the flight attendant gently nudging me to put my tray table up. I opened the window and saw land below—we were arriving in Mexico City! Caraca molieki, what a feeling!

This was my first time in an immigration line. I tried to throw in some Spanish with the Mexican immigration officer, but let’s just say he was a man of few “palabras.” My passport got its first international stamp, and I was officially in Mexico.


Rough Days at the Airport

My stay in Mexico City was, let’s say, not exactly glamorous. I don’t remember much because my experience wasn’t the best. I slept in the airport, went two days without a shower, and only managed to get one night in a cheap hotel nearby to finally wash up and get some rest. Thankfully, the Brazilian real went a long way in Mexico, so on my last day, I decided to treat myself and explore the city by taxi. Even by my standards, the rides were shockingly cheap—almost like having my own personal chauffeur for the day!


Calling My Grandma: A Heartfelt Moment

But one of the most touching moments for me happened when I tried to call my grandma. I had WhatsApp on my phone, but she didn’t, so I had to call her number directly. Problem was, I didn’t know how to make an international collect call, and I didn’t have ways to pay for a regular one either. All I wanted to say was, “Hi Grandma, I’m in Mexico, and I’m alive!”

Frustrated, I finally asked my best friend back in Brazil to call her and let her know I was safe. That moment hit me hard. It was the first time I realized that I wouldn’t be able to talk to her every day or just pop in to see her whenever I wanted. It was painful. But I’m grateful to have friends who had my back, who helped me connect with my family, even when I was miles away.


The Perfect Ending: A Taste of Mexico

To end my stay on a high note, I saw that my favorite soccer team, Juventus, was playing a game. There I was, sitting in an airport bar in Mexico City, sipping a Corona, watching Juventus play. It was a surreal, perfect moment that made everything feel right.

And then, it was time to board the plane to Amsterdam.

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