I'm not dead.

Although in many ways it and jetlag are the same. Well, expect for the no breathing, no pulse part I guess. OK, maybe being jetlagged is more like being the undead, all gormless unresponsive-eyed zombie shuffling.

I left my parents house at 2.30PM, we easily made it to the airport in time for me to enjoy a long wait for my plane to board. Turns out I was waiting in exactly the right place, which was annoying after I walked to the departure screen to see the long-delayed update of which gate I was meant to be at.

I've not been on a plane in ages and must admit to be naively impressed as I watched us leave the ground, I could see lights in every direction as far as possible...London is quite big apparently. Once we were up wonder quickly gave way to bordeom however...which would become the running theme of my flight(s.) At least it was more or less nightime so I was able to squeeze about 4 hours sleep out of myself. My first attempt failed when a flight stewardness woke me to offer me dinner...at gone midnight. Who eats at that time? OK, me but really?!

We arrived in Abi Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in the early morning. From what I could see as we landed and out of windows in the airport it's most definatly a place. Beyond that I have no idea, airports are not entirely representaive of the places they're from. Although there was a prayer room which I don't think Heathrow had. There had also been a flight prayer played as we took off each time...which was a new experience if nothing else.

The second flight was much like the first....only more boring. This time I bothered to grapple with the inflight entertainment system and marked the hours by watching half of the recentish John Dillinger film (there's better white noise) and tonnes of 22 minute american comedy programs. I also read and looking into blank space. Annoyingly the plane landed to refuel in Singapore and we all had to get off, get re-security checked and get back on 40 mins later. On this final leg I watched The Time Travellers Wife (which was poor but watchable as it reminded me of the book) and managed another 2 hours sleep.

I like the airline, EtiHad, they allowed me a plentiful supply of free tea.

We finally arrived in Brisbane, Australia. In spite of a warning from the plane's captain that it wasn't that great a day I almost melted in the first 2 minutes of being here. Seriously if this isn't ridiculous heat then what is? I got the airbus train to the Central Business District, I accidentally got off one stop earlier and so almost did myself in moving myself and my backpack to my hostel, up a hill that made the one at Glastonbury look tame. Toppling backwards was a serious concern.

Although feeling like passing out I decided doing so at 11.30AM wouldn't end well so I went back into the centre...not really sure what I did at first beyond walk around gormlessly. Eventually I stumbled off a eirey yet not deserted park bit where I spent some time staring at ducks. My brain has been more functional. I did manage to buy a phonecard...so at least I could master basic tasks.

I passed out (sleep is the wrong word) just gone 6PM. I woke up 2AM and couldn't get back to sleep for ages. I gave up trying again when I woke at 7. In the morning I went to the bank and managed to get my bankcard inspite of being incapable of doing more than noding, muttering yes and signing my name. I hate jetlag. I also hate how I can almost talk and think of nothing else!

Still it got less severe as the day has worn on, I've been to not one but TWO art gallerys. The second of these was a modern art one and had some well odd things in it. There was one darkened room with small screens displaying household objects rotating in a subtly impossible manner that was really cool, though very bad for the eyes. Another room was filled with nothing but various lenghts of string, walking through it all was odd as all you could see were lines and the texture of the stuff all over the skin was almost creepy.

I've got noting planned in Brisbane beyond getting myself used to the timezone and heat so if you're adrenaline filled tales you're probably going to be disappointed. Still, I've got 3 more full days here so I really should get to thinking about how to fill my time!