I Got Scammed But I Conquered My Fear

When I found out that the journalism department at San Jose State made the study abroad program a mandatory requirement for graduation, for students who transferred in the year 2015, my stomach felt hollow. I felt goosebumps all over my neck.

Why did they have to make the study abroad program requirement now? I pondered over switching my major from journalism to film but decided against it. I didn't want to delay graduation by another year so I stuck with my original plan.

But I felt skeptic. I've traveled outside of the U.S. before but never without my parents. I've always had my mom or dad along with my brother. Whether it was a close friend's or relative's house, I was prohibited from sleeping over. So why would they ever give me the permission to travel to another country all by myself? Well they didn't have a choice. And neither did I. It was compulsory.

My mind was cluttered with a myriad of doubts along with "what-if" questions.What if the plane never makes it? What if it never lands? What if I get stuck? What if I get robbed? What if I can't find my luggage?What if I never make it back to California?

I didn't think I could do it. It was always like this. I was filled with self-doubt. I felt incapable. Plus, none of my close friends were going so I wasn't the least bit excited about it.

But I had to do it. Besides, I wasn't going to be there by myself. There were 16 of us. Two professors and 14 students. While all the other students were traveling with one of their friends or classmates, I was going to Athens, Greece all on my own. The worst part was that my flight was landing at about 9:00pm.

I sat at the end of the plane. I had the window seat. But there was a random man sitting in the aisle seat adjacent to mine. He kept quiet during the entire flight and I was grateful for that. But when he dozed off, I had the urge to go to the bathroom. I stared at him for about five, ten and then 15 minutes. Can someone please wake him up? I need to pee. If I wake him up, will he throw a fit? Will he have an outburst? Will he get angry? There's only one way to find out. About 20 to 30 minutes later, I lightly tapped him on the shoulder and told him, "excuse me, I need to use the restroom." He roused from his deep slumber, gradually opened his eyelids, smiled and stood up. I let out a sigh of relief. Finally, I can go to the bathroom. When I got back, I refrained myself from eating or drinking anything. No more bathroom trips for me.

Once I landed and left the plane, I headed toward immigration and customs. The line was long. After about an hour, I walked over to the baggage claim. My suitcase was resting just outside the carousel. I grabbed it and headed out the airport.

Now comes the hard part. I got in line for a taxi. The hollowness in my stomach returned. Sweat began pooling on my forehead. I was fidgeting. Will my taxi driver be a creep? Will I get to the hotel safely?

I checked my phone and saw a text message from my dad. All he asked was "landed?" I quickly typed "yes," hit send and shoved my phone back into my pocket. And then it was my turn. The taxi driver opened his door and came around to greet me. I asked him "Do you speak English?" In his Greek accent, he said "yes." I told him the name of my hotel and he said "Evripides (U-rip-uh-dees), I know. 40 Euros." I nodded and got into the car.

As soon as I got into the taxi and locked the back door of the taxi, I pulled out my phone and saw another text from my dad. This one said, "Can you send me the license plate number of the taxi?" License plate number? Like seriously?! I wasn't going into outer space. I was going to Greece. Instead of replying to my dad's text, I just texted my friend Jessica and told her that I've reached Athens and I'm on my way to the hotel.

Jessica told me that she informed my professors and the person at the reception desk and they are all waiting for me.

It was pitch-black outside and a little chilly. I was getting antsy and the silence in the car was gnawing at me. It felt eerie.

I tried to make small talk with the taxi driver but it was a fail. About 45 minutes later, we finally arrived at Hotel Evripides. The street was so narrow that it could only fit one car. The road was littered with paper and trash. Thankfully, the street lights were on.

I picked up my handcarry and got out of the car. The taxi driver opened the trunk, grabbed my luggage and set it down beside me. Then he asked for a hefty tip. He wanted an additional 20 euros. What the hell? Why? You didn't know even play Greek music for me during the car ride? You little greedy asshole, why are you after my money?

I stood right outside the hotel with this random taxi driver. He was about 6 feet tall. There was no one else in sight. It was past 11pm. As much as I wanted to say no, I knew what I had to do. I gave him the extra 20 euros. Great, I barely stepped foot in Greece and I already got scammed. What's next? I guess that was the consequence I had to pay for ignoring my dad's text. Karma is a bitch.

When I went inside, the lady at the reception desk recognized me instantly. She told me to head upstairs. I met both my professors: Halima and Diane. When Halima told me, "you made it," I felt relieved and content. Yes I made it! I arrived in Athens from California in one piece. So what if I got scammed? I made it! I conquered my biggest fear. And that's all that mattered.