I relax all day, watching movies with Jessica, who's credit card arrived today. She was so happy, like she had been set free. I spend my day dreading my move to Australia, there are people in the hostel who tell me it is great and that I'm going to have an awesome time. Although I know this will be the case, it is difficult for me to get excited at the moment. I now know exactly how SJ was feeling that day in KL when she was about to leave. I try to tell myself the same things that I told her. It's amazing how it doesn't work. Ha. I feel as if my travel is over, coming to an end. That I will have to integrate back in to a western culture, with it's rules, organisation and expense. I am not excited. First time I have felt like this in the past 7 months. I try hard to shake my negativity.
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I think back on some of the things that I wished that I had done during my travel. I wish I had recorded how much time I had spent on all the various forms of transport that I had taken, I would love to know the breakdown of planes, buses, Motos, tuk tuks, boats, elephants, donkey pulled carts, kayaks, minivans and songthreaws. Would have been great to see. Next time eh? I also wish I had somehow catalogued the food, and the local name of it. I have eaten so many delicious and interesting things, but I couldn't tell you the name of any of them, it would have been great to have a photo and some info for each dish, including the Marty rating! Ha. These will both be additions to the next leg of my travel. Perhaps I'll just have to go back to Asia to get the info, Ha. I am also so pleased that I have managed to keep up this blog. I shudder to think how much of my experience that I may have lost if I hadn't completed this so religiously. Don't get me wrong, it has been a complete pain in the ass, but it is so worth it, amazingly I haven't met anyone else who has kept such a record. Then it is hard work, at the start it was fun, but now, laborious.
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It is time to go. All my stuff is ready so I saddle up and stand out the front to hail a taxi. My flight is at 11 so I've had all day to come to terms with the fact that I am leaving. Ha. I get in the taxi, the guy tries to charge me a flat rate telling me there is traffic, pure balls. I say the meter will do just fine. As we get to the 'traffic' he announces, 'ahhh not too much traffic tonight' Ha. I get to the airport and grab a McD before heading through security and then check in. It is only when I head upstairs that I am presented with a booth stating some sneaky airport tax. The problem is I have no money left, so I have to head out and get some as they don't take card. Then back through security again, why is there not an ATM in here? Or at least a sign stating that there is tax, before you pass through security. More importantly why didn't Miao or Juli tell me? I will have to kill them! I get through anyway, and get to the departure lounge. When we are boarding the plane it is the most disorganised thing I have ever seen, normally when you pass through immigration your departure card is taken off you, and checked. I had thought it was strange that this was not the case here. Instead they are looking for it when you board the plane, along with your ticket and passport. Naturally nobody has it ready because it is never asked for at this stage. Anyway I eventually get through, and I notice just how well all the westerners queue, no pushing or anything.
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When I get on the plane I take my seat, and I get to listen to the safety information in English only. This is it! I really am leaving Asia now. I have the row to myself, which I am pleased about. I also got to see the largest flight attendant that I have ever seen in my life. I mean she was struggling to get up and down the aisle. Surely this is a safety risk? It is not long before her professionalism is called in to question by some awkward customers. They wanted to change seats because the plane wasn't full, but they weren't allowed because the area was being saved in case anyone with babies needed some more space. The guy was giving it all the attitude, and the wife was chipping in her two cents as well. To be fair to the flight attendant she handled it well, with a smile, until she passed them, then it was eyes to the sky and a scowl. Ohhh how I have missed the western attitudes. There were a few more instances of arrogance and irrational entitlement demonstrated by my western friends before the plane landed, but it was ok because 'big momma' was on hand to deal with the disputes. I have just found her purpose. The flight wasn't too long, although the amount of sleep I got was negligible. Good morning Australia.