Yee’s

I made a promise to my friend that I will attend her post graduation ceremony or something like that. She told me the time would be around October 2023 so I put the thought in my mind. But when we brought it up again, she said she’d be graduated by then. Therefore, I missed my chance to experience the “American-Style” of graduation and the great Taxes, but got another chance for exploring Seattle where she has been working after all.

I kept my words and booked flight to USA, the very first time to the new world. I had 10 days and she gave me half for hanging out, soon we chose Alaska over LA without hesitation. Her boyfriend was invited but being declined for defining our trip as gal-way-out. Since I hadn’t driven car for 2 years already, I felt terrified once realizing that I will be the one driving all the way ( her drive license is only used as identification). Her “gal-power” statement crushed my dream of demanding her boyfriend to be the driver. Not to mention my self-esteem rejected any chance to tell her my concern, it refused to show any possible weakness. Besides, her boyfriend and I hadn’t had long conversation before, he’s totally strange to me. That is, with his company would only maximize my anxiety considering the awkwardness. After all, by measuring the level of every negative emotions, I agreed with the girl-way-out plan reluctantly.

The driving problem woke me up during nights, I felt anxious and worries more and more when D-day was clocking down. I was truly worried sick about the icy road and the unfamiliar traffic. Trying to improve my driving skills before the journey, there were several agent on the table but non of them gotten practiced. The heavy traffic and inconsiderable drivers in Taiwan kept me away from road. So I delayed the practice till there’s no time for me, which increased even more anxiety.

The late night awaken happened once in Seattle, I was suffering from jet leg, and the concern of steady icy road in Alaska increased the craziness in mind. I stayed tuned for all night and finally fell asleep in the early morning. Thought I had my planned scheduled but I was too tired to go out. Remembering the angry tiredness on Alcatraz island previous days ago, I chose to stay home.

Things were getting creepier ever since my friend’s landlord and her boyfriend came back but my dearest friend was still out for team building. I stayed locked in my room, hearing the squeaky foot steps from upstairs and the tv sounds which her boyfriend turned on. I was too shy and too embarrassed to have any conversation about why I stayed home and how’d everything went. Time was clocking and the night was getting late, my friend wasn’t home till 9 pm, despite our flight departed at 8 am, she hadn’t packed even a pantie yet.

We picked up rented SUV soon after landed. Big car, strange road and freezing air, nightmare seems to turn into reality. However, surprisingly the road was wide enough to embrace my poor skills, I felt safe because Alaskan drivers aren’t as furious as Taiwanese, even thought we slipped a bit on day 2, I successfully managed myself taking good control and been given a thumb up by other car. My concerns were only imaginations, they didn’t happen.

We had driven over mountains, crossing highlands and passing beautiful seasides. We had ridden through the unique tunnel, which is famous for using by both for trains and automobiles, successfully getting pass over rocky and under-developed road. I could even perform U-turn in a breeze which could never been considered back home.

Road to Whittier.

Denali national park

Filling tanks and I was super happy!
Both of us had no experience for self-service gas station. First one we chose by random but the petrol pumps couldn’t fit our car. Two Asian girls were so helpless. It’s cold, it’s deserted so we decided to give up and find another one. After all we realized that one was too obsolete to preform.

I know this picture is nothing about driving which I don’t care. This photo was taken on the way out from Talkeetna. That morning was pure beauty, so astonishing. The light, the colors, the scenery was absolutely breathtaking.

The roller-coaster kind of emotion rides about driving in Alaska reminds me of the very first solo trip I did at age 20. Back on 2014, I was brave enough to travel all along to Italy but not enough for being fearless. I was worried about being robbed, being discriminated or even died there, therefore I armed myself, being suspicious of everyone who near me, although dramatically I was taking care by them. So my mindset has changed since then. The experience in Alaska has the same result. I had no faith for myself, I was considering as incapacity of doing things before, but actually I do have enough power to accomplish things which I’m been expected. I felt confident and began to trust myself as someone who is already good enough.

Shout out to my dear friend, who believes me with her full heart and fears nothing. Without her support, this journey could never happened nor me driving again. I’m deeply grateful for her kindness and glad to create such amazing memories together.

After all, I took over anther friend’s car and started road trip over Taiwan, all because of this spectacular trip.