As mentioned in my previous post, earlier, I had an Interim Review.

Reviews, Presentation – Formal or Informal, Essay Submission, Design Crit and/or Portfolio Submission and more = 80% of the students pulling an all nighter.

This means that we leave the uni groggy-er.

One conversation led to another and Ashley and I began talking about flight(s) on the way back home.

Me: Did I tell you that when I got back here (UK), my plane stopped somewhere else before Dubai? I had to stay in the plane longer than the usual 7 hours?

Ashley: Serious? Where did you stop?

Me: Can’t remember. I think it starts with ‘N’. Might be some part India. I reeeallly cannot remember.

Ashley: Omg. I’ll die if I have to stay any longer in the plane for a long flight. Nepal? Napolean? Is it a country or city?

Me: Nohhh….. A bit Nigeria-ish. Can’t remember a thing!

*continues walking in silence thinking of the mystery land*

I remembered that the place is one of the places that Mufti Menk has frequently given his lectures at.

Then the light bulb suddenly lit up!

Me: COLOMBO! IT’S COLOMBO!

Ashley: How in the world does that starts with ‘N’?!

Heh. ‘C’ all the way to ‘N’ …. 10 alphabets apart no less!

Ma baaaaaad!

Anyway this brought me back to this post which I mentioned how I lost two drafts that I blogged whilst in the plane.

Turns out it was buried in the many posts and I only found it recently.

Teehee.

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The thought of 14 hour flight exclusive of layover makes me wanna… ok, let’s not go there.

So imagine this.

*At the check-in counter*

Ground Staff (GS): You do know that prior to Dubai, your plane will stopover Colombo right?

Me: Errr… nope.

GS: Yeah. It will.

She said it sooo nonchalantly. Bleargh.

Me: *in head* Ah.. No wonder on my flight itinerary, the first flight sector is 9 hours. AS IF SEVEN HOURS IS NOT LONG ENOUGH.

I mean, it’s not as if I’m riding on my dad’s plane – I could make a scene for the pilot to NOT stop over Sri Lanka and charge towards Dubai.

So trust me. I died a little MORE inside at the GS’s ‘Yeah. It will.’

So here I am. Drafting this post in the plane cause I can’t get out. Feeling like a cooped chicken and it doesn’t help that I’ve yet to get a wink of sleep!

0235 Colombo = 0505 Singapore.

Trust me. Halfway through the 3ish hour ride, I wanted to rolllllll on the floor, fold myself into various yoga poses and  just rot.

Upward dog. Downward dog. Cobra. Swan. Alligator. Chimpanzee. Stegosaurus. Can somebody just turn me into a dinosaur now?

At first I be like Oh! It’s only 3 hours plus to Colombo. Should be bearable.

Shut up Aqilah! Longest 3 hours of my life (up to date).

This dude got it spot on. Couldn’t express myself any better.

Couldn’t sleep a wink as my neighbours (2 different people) had alcohol — beer-cognac-champagne — and being sensitive to smell (plus not used to being around alcohol), I was busy covering my nose and breathing rapidly to “get use” to the air.

Did I mention that three months ago on my way to Dubai, my neighbour accidentally spilt her champagne on me? My poor black pants. Never been to the loo that much in a flight.

Don’t get me wrong. I have no problem being around people who drink. It’s not a norm for me hence I was a little uncomfortable. Plus my concern on the soiled pants was doing my prayers.

Aside from the partial air pollution issue, I kept busy with the movie that Momski recommended and it happened to be available in-flight. Amazeball stuffs guys.

Another 5 hours before I end the FIRST LEG of this arduous journey.

Now that I’m done being a brat, back to my adult (ehem) self.

The stopover here is only approximately an hour.

It’s been an eye opening experience seeing the movement of the cabin crew and different ground staffs working on their different roles.

I’ve only heard the stories of the peril of cabin crews and other staffs from my friends and family members who were once (a) flight attendant(s).

Y’know what they say… Seeing is believing.
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As I was departing (from Singapore airport), a cousin of mine said that it must be nice having the opportunity to travel/fly – non-holiday related.

I’ve always believe that I’ve been (lucky and) blessed with itchy legs which has brought me to many places I never knew I could be at at such a young age.

I genuinely supplicate that your needs (which you’ve yet to be granted with) will be granted soon and your wants be fulfilled as well.

Till the next post, someone please save me. The smell of alcohol – beer, cognac & champagne – from my neighbours from Singapore AND Colombo (YAAS…two different people!) is adding on to my headache.

‘SIN – CMB – DXB – ENGLAND’

Feels good to be back!