Yup, That's me. I'm talking about
me and my experience. It was a very long time ago when I first have to
go for a business trip. The date is 23 February 2011. I have nothing
much to complain but I guess I'm about to start Now! Ha ha ha!
At
that particular point of time, It was my very first time traveling
outside the Asian Region. But the real issue is the fact that it was my
first time travelling alone. And it was FAR. I mean really FAR!
My Journey begins when my dearest officemate have this Idea of his that
he wants to serve the people (to become a politician). As the Big Boss
couldn't leave the office empty, he choose me to go and with a mixed
feelings, I accepted the task with heavy heart. How ever, I start to
accept it when I'm thinking of the experience that I could gain next.
And... also because of other reasons which I could not disclosed here
and should be kept as secret by me (He he he! Alaaa~ everybody should
know why~)
So,
let me start with the Checking In. One-Abang-Gemuk suddenly tells me "
You can't fly to Sudan because you don't have a Visa".
"Hell
No Man!!! My Boss told me that I don't need one! All my colleagues are
there Man! What nonsense are you talking about?!" Well, at least I wish I
actually said that out loud. Unfortunately that was only inside my
head. Instead, I told the One-Abang-Gemuk politely that "No, We don't
need one and I'm very sure of it". One-Abang-Gemuk called his Superior
in charged for the night. Then come one
Annoying-Mean-Man-with-Serious-Face starts telling me that " No! You
show me the Law or Rules or the Regulations!!!". Panicked, I called my
subsidiaries COO (I Know i should have called other colleague. But, I'm
in a panic mode you see) to confirm the fact. He confirmed that we don't
need a Visa because we are Malaysian, and Sudan's Government does not
require Malaysian to do a Visa. I also called Kak Mariani, a helpful
lady who manage my flying tickets and also my stay in Sudan. She also
confirms the same.
I
did force One-Abang-Gemuk to call his working mates about the Visa. He
did, and I can hear his whisper (his voice is loud unfortunately) to
Annoying-Mean-Man-with-Serious-Face afterwards. "Can fly without Visa".
But,
that superior of his, still force him to make me sign a form with the
big Title: TRAVELLING WITH INCOMPLETE DOCUMENTS. Only upon signing it, I
could check in. Kak Mariani suddenly called after I text her on what
happened to me just now. She said that she can change my flight from
Qatar Airways to Emirates tomorrow morning. So, I'm kind of accidentally
repeating what Kak Mariani told me loudly and suddenly, One-Abang-Gemuk
and Annoying-Mean-Man-with Serious-Face panicky letting me checking in.
Hurm~ May be I should have said that earlier... Or are they waiting for
me to give them something before letting me go? I'm not so sure~
What
Ever it is, I'm checking in and his instruction was I have to go to
C22. So, I queue with a bunch of people who looks like Sudanese to me as
I'm going to Sudan you see. So, people can see me quite strikingly as:-
a) I'm the only Girl and not yet a Woman there;
b) Fairer; and
c) Shorter.
Suddenly,
one rather cute and handsome Abang Imegresen come and Pull me out from
the line that I queue. Wow! PTPTN nak tahan aku ke Ape hie? Damn!!! I'm
so doomed! I felt guilty! And then the Officer asked "Is your Passport
RED?". $#!+!!! One after another! I looked up at him and node as
innocent as I could and still wondering whether Malaysian Government has
changed the Colour of our Passport. And it turns out to be that,
Malaysian Passport is still Red. and PTPTN did not stop me from
travelling. I did not do anything wrong...except for the fact that I',
queuing at the wrong lane. The officer smile "Sis, that is evacuatuion
lane. Malaysian Passport holder is here". Phewwwww~ I am so relieved!
Where is my eyes and head just now?
RED Malaysian Passport. No Change of Colors Okay~ |
Usually,
I don't help anyone to carry their bags in the Airport. For safety
purpose. Not because I am Selfish or what not. But that day, I help one
Friendly Auntie who loves to smile. She's struggling with her Milo,
Sweetened Milk, Horlicks, Maggie Laksa etc. I help her and talk with her
along the way while waiting for the gate to be opened. She is on her
way to visit her daughter who works as Stewardess in Doha. While she
will end her journey in Doha, I have to transit there for 7 long hours.
When I'm in the plane, I sit next to the window. I purposely asked for
this seat as I don't like to go to the Loo or even have to get up
because someone's need to. And I love to seat next to the window
because, I love to look outside (although I am actually afraid of
heights). How ever, It is very dark outside...so there's nothing great
about it for tonight.
Next
to me is one Lovely-Arab-Lady and her Grumpy-Husband. She loves to
smile and she makes you feel welcomed. And she smells like yeast. I mean
Bread, No Yeast... freshly baked bread. Ok... I think Yeast. She asked
me "Malazi? Malazi?". I said yes and she wants to call her son using my
mobile phone to tell him that they are safely inside the flight. I don't
usually let people to use my phone (please don't do this with a
stranger), but I guess its because she looks so desperate and sincere.
After calling her son, she keeps saying Syukran, Which means thank you. I
wish I could remember Afwan (Welcome) at that particular time.
Unfortunately, I forgot. this is when you body language plays it roles
and so I guess my nods and smile will make her understand. So, this
Lovely-Arab-Lady who smells like yeast sits right next to me for my Long
8 and a half ours flight from KUL-DOHA. I can't read while I'm
traveling with car, bus or train. But I can't help myself to watch
Perfect Wedding (Cantonese Movie) and for that i have to read a subtitle
and Alamak... I got dizzy because of the bumpy flight and bad weather.
So, I choose to sleep instead. But, this Lovely-Arab-Aunty wakes me up
when the stewardess offered sweets, wakes me up again when they offered a
drink...and wakes me up again when they offered a Dinner (one big
portion of Grilled Chicken with mixed vegetables and baked potatoes,
Dessert orange yogurt cheese cake, Fruit Juice, Mineral water, Kit Kat,
Papaya and Manggo Salad) and then supper (one big portion of Chicken
Shawarma and Coffee. I'm telling you, Qatar Airways is trying very hard
to make you one fat Flyer. The thing is... I actually put a sign that
don't wake me up for Food...because I want to sleep. But, its okay. The
Lovely-Arab-Aunty means no harm after all. Food are delicious and it is a
waste not to enjoy it.
So,
I land at Doha International Airport. I don't know the where about of
My Friendly Aunty nor the Lovely Arab Aunty who smells like Yeast. Alone
again, I looked at my phone and the time is 12.00am. I'm so Mamai, and
confused with the time! That was a verrryyyy looonggg 3 hours with
stomach full journey mannnn~ But then I realised... its a different time
line.
Inside Doha International Airport - Source Google |
My
next flight to Khartoum is in the next 7 hours. Darn! My shoes bites me
pulak! Damn Sembonia shoes! I should bite you First! So I walk around
the duty free shops to kill the time and just look at the cheap perfumes
and stuff and holding my lust to shop with my aching feet. Nothing much
interesting as I'm looking for souvenirs and not so much on personal
stuff. I then go around to look for Musollah to perform my Ishaa'. I ask
one guy and he showed me the Musollah. But... that was a gent's
Musollah. I left with no choice, so i just perform my prayers and I can
see the Gents are looking at me with full of question marks when I'm
done. Darurat! And I'm Praying not killing, So please stop giving me
that weird look.
Again,
just to kill my time, I used Doha International Airport FREE WIFI,
charged my Laptop, replying emails related to work, skype-ing at the end
of a corner until Subuh around 4.40am as the sunrise around 6.00 am. I
make my way to the Musollah again and one Indian Cleaner yelling and
shouting with the broom in his hand saying "No Woman! No Woman!". "No
Woman No Cry Huh??!!!" I shouted back at him. Okay! fine... I don't
shout back at him though. I keep thinking where am I suppose to perform
my prayers. Suddenly he showed me one place. NOt far from the corner
where I sat and Wifi-ing... And I read... "Mosque Woman". Malu, Shy,
Embarrassed! It was hand written by someone with a small heart as the
hand writing is soooo small and no human being with a perfect could
actually read it unless you are standing 100cm away from the sign. And
on my defense, the sign is written on a piece of A4 paper with the font
no more and no less than 20. Thank you very much!
So
I proceed with my journey to Khartoum approximately 7.15am and sat
right next to the window (as usual). As we flew up... I can see the
whole Doha! And my camera is not with me! $%^*?!#. My description would
be this:-
In
Malay: Cantik Giler Babeng Hokey! Bandar Doha dengan simbahan Cahaya
Mentari Pagi. Laut yang biru berkilauan bak Berlian Biru di Cincin
Tunang Kate Middleton... Bangunan Tinggi berwarna metalik memantulkan
cahaya lembut indah tak terperi!
In
English: Bloody Beautiful Crazy Piggy Hokey! City of Doha with a Splash
of Morning Twilight. The Deep Blue Ocean's sparkling like Edward
Cullens! Ooops! I mean, like Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring. Metallic
Sky Scrapper Building reflecting the soft light with undescribable words
to explain its beauty.
City of Doha - Taken after Google Search. Please try to use your imagination as if you are looking from the sky |
Qatar
Airways never fails to satisfy my tummy and fattens me up with their
Scramble eggs with Cheese and Dice Potatoes. Serve it with Black Pepper
Chicken Sausage and Pour it with a Creamy Mushroom Sauce. I also had
Humus with Olive Oil, Strawberry Jam and Butter together with the Hot
Fluffy Bread. Also POur some freshness inside my tummy with a Fresh
Fruits with White Cheese, Apple Juice, Orange Juice and Milk Tea...
Burp! Sorry, excuse Me! While having breakfast, I enjoyed watching
Bewitched Series, Everybody Loves Raymons and I Laugh as I please
because I'm sitting alone right next to the window. They also have
National Geographic Channel and I watche Japanese Hidden Secret
(Please-please! I always wanted to travel here) and also played Zuma.
Yess, I don't Sleep yet because I can't.
When
I reached Khartoum, itis almost 11.30am and I line up with a bunch of
people who do looks like Sudanese to me, when suddenly their Officer
approached me and say "Madam, Indian?". "Erkkkk... No~ Malazi".
Hailaaaa~ Where di I got the Indian Look man. Ops... Wait a second~ Did
I? He then showed me a Big Yellow Signboard with a RED font
"Non-Sudanese". Chaittttt! Not Again! Not the wrong queue again!!! I
quickly give my passport and WITHOUT VISA~ I'm safely arrived in
Khartoum! FINALLY!!! African Region!
Khartoum International Airport |
Things that I learn the most - Please look for the Sign and Please READ it!!!
Yes, I'm Not travelling 5 stars... but the experience is more than 5 stars... At least for me~
-Tekan-
Yes, I'm Not travelling 5 stars... but the experience is more than 5 stars... At least for me~
-Tekan-