Almost home

One last stop, and my 30-day whirlwind of a trip will be over. And I can then proudly cross out another item off of my list of things-to-do-before-I-die.

It has been an enriching trip, beyond what I hoped for - seeing 3 STF friends (and one more tomorrow!), eating Iddy's cooking, hanging out and getting to know Aza, learning the meaning of majestic (The Alps) and out-of-this-world (Berthillon and Amorino ice creams), being in awe of ancient civilizations, buildings and paintings (how did it even occur to them to create these things?), using laundromat with German instructions, and realizing how much I like to eat rice (!). All I hoped for when I left home almost a month ago, was a couple of pictures decent enough to make some postcards and fill an album. Thanks Nils, for giving me your "blessing", letting me go on this trip, and not even once complaining that I get to go to all these places while you have to go to work to keep the household in the black (I love u!).

Now, on to my last adventure. Faiez, see you in the morning!! Amsterdam, here I come!

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Recharge

Every morning when I was in Rome, I stopped at the same cafe to get my breakfast of chocolate croissant and bottled water. By the second day, the guy had already knew me at sight and greeted me as I walk in ("Ciao! Chocolat?") and whenever our eyes meet as I walk to and from the train station during the day.

This morning, armed with my usual breakfast, I headed to the Termini, lugging my backpack (on its wheels). A quick stop at the ticket machine, bancomat, and a quiet corner to stuff the cash in my bra, and I was on my way.

The train ride to La Spezia is quite scenic. Passing through Civita,I got a glimpse of what may be in store when I get to Cinque Terre. The coastal view was breathtaking, laced with houses perched on steep, rocky cliffs, facing the green ocean. I was suddenly excited at the prospect of hiking alongside a similarly spectacular view (this, from a person who detests walking of any sort). The next 2 days will be awesome!

Thus far, I've been happy with my itinerary. After hectic sightseeing in London and Paris, I got to recharge and enjoy quiet walks in the Alps. I remember telling Idlan that I finally understood the meaning of majestic, for the Alps was truly that - simply majestic. My only recollection of prior talks of the Alps was from my high school geography classes - banjaran Rocky dan Alps. It was really something to see the humbling mountains in person, instead of just on brown and green topographical maps.

Now, after the hustle and bustle of Florence and Rome, I will get to wind down in the (hopefully) serene Italian Riviera before continuing my journey. Twelve more days, and I will be back in my bed (ini kes homesick).

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I am in London...

... wishing I have my tripod with me

Ready for take off

One cancelled flight, two flight changes, a gate change, and a plate of rice after Nils sent me off, I am finally settled down at my gate. Out the window, the plane that will take me to Heathrow has just pulled in. That is a giant improvement over how things have been. Oddly, the only time thing that frazzled me so far, was when I couldn't find the restaurant that Nils told me to eat at (oxtail soup, yumm). Villagers.

Nils said it's right after the security check, near the high number gates. I looked around, and when I couldn't find it, I walked over to the next security checkpoint. It was for gates 110+ which seemed like high numbers. I ventured in. No Villagers.

So I walked even further to the next checkpoint. "For gates 90 - ..." - 90 seemed like a high number to me. But still no Villagers. Thank goodness there is no other checkpoint in this terminal, or I would have continued on.

Frustrated, tired, sweaty, I huffed and puffed back to my gate and ate at a Chinese place. After I got my food, I texted Nils:

"Walked all over and didn't find Villagers!"

"What's a village?" came the reply.

"Place u told me to eat!"

"Gallaghers. Sorry phone autotext is stupid"

And from where I was sitting, I could see, in red neon lights "G a l l a g h e r s" *sigh*

Still in my backyard, but the adventures have begun.

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