I got my student visa to study in the UK on 10th February 2011. As soon as I got my visa I had to book a flight to the UK as I was already 10 days late for my course. For that I went to a travel agent Asad who was very helpful. I would recommend anyone who wants to book a flight to contact him as he was very helpful and offered the best prices. His office is near Hotel Metropole and named as Gerrys HRM.
I got a flight for 12th Feburary to Newcastle. This included a 7 hours stay at the Dubai International Airport. I left my home for the airport at 9 because I had a flight to Dubai for 1030. The immigration and customs in the Pakistani side didnt gave any trouble and did everything quickly which was a good thing. I then boarded the plane for Dubai. The plane took of and I left Karachi and Pakistan. From the window I could see Karachi the city of lights glowing in the dark. Bye Bye Karachi!! Im leaving you and your warm weather and your sandy beaches but I will come back one day when you will be peaceful. I bid farewell to Karachi and the plane move forward to Dubai. Karachi became a dream now and I was about to explore the new world.
I swear the most tiring time of my life was when I had to wait for the connecting flight to Newcastle Airport in Dubai. It was very hectic as I had nothing to do there and roamed aimlessly at the airport smoking cigarettes in the smoking area which were abundant at the airport. One mistake I made here was not taking any cigarettes from Pakistan for my stay in the UK. In the UK cigarettes are very expensive as the government discourages smoking. Its a bad news for us smokers. Dubai Airport is the most modern and clean airport I have ever seen in my life. It has all the facilities for passengers. It is the most multicultural airport in the world where one can see people from every part of the world and people speaking nearly all languages of the world at a single place. I forgot my bag at the airport and was fortunate to get it back. It happened because I was so tired and decided to have a juice and after having it forgot my bag at the chair. Luckily I remembered that I had forgotten it after 15 minutes and rushed back with thoughts of loosing my bag in mind just to find that it was there.
Somehow the annoying seven hours passed at the Dubai Airport and it was morning and I was ready to go to Newcastle. It was a eight hours flight to Newcastle. They gave me a seat in the middle which was not near the window whereas I wanted a window seat. The flight was very boring as I had nothing to do and as I am not able to sleep in the plane it became more annoying. I was feeling sick and tired and praying to reach Newcastle all the time during the flight. Emirates in flight entertainment was shit. I had nothing to do than to wait for my final destination. I was already tired being awake for 24 hours and this flight made me more tired. Nevertheless the girl sitting next to me seemed to be enjoying the flight which made me kind of angry. She was from Newcastle and her name was Laura. She was quite interesting person and talking to her made a little amount of time pass nicely otherwise it was the worst experience in the flight ever.
The time somehow passed and we finally reached Newcastle airport. The first thing I noticed was the greenery of England which was totally different from the desert landscape of Dubai and Karachi. The other thing was the cold and crisp February air. It was so fresh. Newcastle Airport is a tiny airport. The smallest Ive seen in my life. The immigration officers at the airport were very friendly and quick. They did all the things fast and I was out in the airport. It was a very good experience because I was in the UK the place I wanted to be.
I took my luggage and got it in the Metro which was avaiable from the airport and bought a ticket for Newcastle Central Station. After reaching the station with three heavy bags and sleepless for 24 hours I booked a taxi to my friends place to sleep. The next day was my first day at the uni and I had to get registered as a student.
