We woke up late today. 9am.

I guess it because all that ET movie last nite hehehehe.. I went straight for shower and getting ready for outing. Its a Rastro Day.

We went out at 11am and first stop was at the internet cafe coz we need to check flight tickets and rooms in Sevilla. Hopefuilly we can get either one. Shucks! Forget to bring paper and pen to jot down the numbers so have to come back later to browse the internet again.

They have the coin operated computer. You just need to slot in EUR 1 in the coin slot for one hour usage. The first time I used the computer, my coin was rejected. I had to ask help from a Brazilian who was sitting next to me.. hehehe cute! Anyway too young I guess. We chatted while the "technician" repaired and tinkle with the computer coin slot. So he was here studying and his mom was coming over that weekend.

After emailing some friends and updating them on our journey, we headed to Rastro which is about a kilometre away from Gran Via. I had to depend on Jules as she is the expert here. The Rastro is not far away from Plaza Mayor but the walk was pleasant due to the weather. It was not too cold like 2 days ago. The sun was up and everybody was having good weather day! hehehe

The Rastro day meant that all the shops are closed (coz it is on Sunday) and the stalls are lining up the roads. They were many stalls selling clothes, trinkets, CDs, leather goods and gifts. Well, since it is one of tourists attraction, the price can be a tad expensive. What I noticed that the traders do not like you to haggle too much. For them the price is always reasonable.

We stopped at ATM first as I need to withdraw some money. At first I got problem with the ATM. It refused to return my card! Darn! Punched every buttons. Finally got my card back. Had to stop at another ATM and this time with Bismillah I slotted my card, punched in my pin, answer some questions (such as prefer language. duh!) and the amount I want, I got my money and my card back. Yea!

The Rastro is more like Petaling Street. We had to take care of our bags though, just to be caution of any pickpockets. I guess my head had loosen for turning left and right watching all the goods sold in various shapes and sizes. I got dizzy just to see the cacaphony of colours around me. It was amazing! I tried to take pictures of the Rastro but there were just too many people around me. I could not stop without stopping the traffic along!

After browsing here and there, Jules bought some clothes for her nephew and niece while I settled for brass bell I found at the stall right at the end of the street. We bought some small trinkets before heading towards Plaza Mayor.

It was called Plaza de Arrabal during medieval times, the original architect of Plaza Mayor itself was Juan Gómez de Mora, who worked during the reign of Philip III. Under the Hapsburgs, the square rose in importance as the site of public spectacles, including the abominable autos de fe, in which heretics were burned. Bullfights, knightly tournaments, and festivals were also staged here.

Three times the buildings on the square burned--in 1631, 1672, and 1790--but each time the plaza bounced back. After the last big fire, it was completely redesigned by Juan de Villanueva.

Nowadays a Christmas fair is held around the equestrian statue of Philip III (dating from 1616) in the center of the square. On summer nights the Plaza Mayor becomes the virtual living room of Madrid.
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The plaza is closed to motorized traffic, making it a pleasant place to sit at one of the sidewalk cafes, watching alfresco artists, street musicians, and Madrileños from all walks of life. Sunday morning brings a stamp and coin market. Around Christmas the plaza fills with stalls selling trees, ornaments, and nativity scenes, as well as all types of practical jokes and tricks for December 28, Día de los Inocentes -- a Spanish version of April Fool's Day. The plaza's oldest building is the one with the brightly painted murals and the gray spires, called Casa de la Panadería (Bakery House) in honor of the bread shop over which it was built. Opposite is the Casa de la Carnicería (Butcher Shop), now a police station.

On the way back, we stopped at a bakery and Jules told me to get any slice of cake I want. It was her treat for my belated birthday. Yea! Gosh! So much cakes to choose from. I settled to one cone with cream. Wow! So nice. It was like cornetto icecream but except for ice-cream it was only cream. Either vanilla or chocolate. I picked chocolate and Jules took vanilla.

8.46pm

Sitting at Cafe d Te filling in my travel journal while waiting for Jules. A glass of Cola Cao half empty. (Yeah! Call me pessimist, I don't care!)

Earlier we took metro that was almost burst with football fans, went to Santiago Bernebeu for Jules to watch her Real Madrid match, while decided to walked around town and do some window shopping. BAD IDEA.

All the shops were closed. I guess if there was an important match like Real Madrid playing meaning that EVERYBODY must close down shops and watch the match. Furthermore the match was on Sunday. nevertheless, it was still interesting to watch the empty city during match time.

I went round the whole block and had fun watching people parking their cars. Well, of course there were not enough parking bays for the cars during the match night. So everybody just park their cars at every nook and cranny of the road if they could squeeze their cute vehicles. And one thing I noticed that they don't mind bumped into other cars as long as they can squeeze and park their vehicles. It was funny. I remembered watching the advertisement on Kit Kat bar in the tele the other day. It was about a girl who was learning to park her car. Thump! she knocked the car's infront and another bumped when she reversed. You can see the panic on the instructor. She did that a few times and later gave her instructor a bar of Kit Kat.. It was funny.

Ok, about the department stores. Yes, all the stores were closed but some people still go into the department stores. these complexes were not locked except maybe Corte Ingles They just window shop and do nothing. I mean, they just loiter inside the complex. They were a few cafes opened but thats all.

We had agreed to meet at the shopping complex next to the stadium and by 9pm all the fans had started leave the stadium. I met Jules at the Cafe and she decided she wanted the Cola Cao too. She chatted happily about the game and how her idol Figo, scored the gol right in front of her. Well, Im happy that she's happy.

We decided to let everybody go and browse at some stalls selling Real Madrid memorabilia, fake of course. It was already 5C and the street was wet just been cleaned by the municipal people. I could see that patches of poodle became small ice poodle.. brrrr... so very cold!

Came back to the hostel and getting ready for bed. We are going to check out and head to Sevilla tomorrow...

Still in madrid. This time we decided to do some shopping and another sight seeing. This time taking the cheapest mode - walking errr.. and metro hahaha.

We still have to stop by the AreaRealMadrid as Jules wanted to buy more goodies for her house and Bidin. Right. Im just browsing other stuff. They are all expensive now that everything converted to Euro. Not to mention because of Beckams, prices for all Real Madrid stuff had gone skyrocket. bought some souvenirs for meself (again) and things that Im asked me to buy for him.. hmm

Once the shopping is done, we walked to Plaza De Sol. Just window shopping. It was pay day yesterday so many shops have this Rabajas signs. I guess it meant sale though I couldnt find the proper translation for that. Some of the stuff were overcharged but others are still nice to see but too expensive to buy. Well, first, Im not a shopping person and second some things are easily obtained in Malaysia at cheaper prices.

I saw a pair of boots that I like but ehem! its EUR 20 and above.. errr.. no thank you. Its not that Im stingy or what but a RM100 for a pair of boots? I bought Along's boots for just £5 (about RM35) and its nice looking boots, thank you very much.

Its already way past noon and I am hungry. This time we decided to have Moroccon food. Expensive but we just want to try out. Walked at this one lane with hope of finding good Moroccon restaurant. Yup! we found it.

I choose lamb in Tallin - the famous Moroccon cuisine. It came with gravy and bread and some fries.. ummm yummy. I had naranjas (orange) juice. The service is slow though but the food is delicious.

From the restaurant we headed to Plaza Espania - well, it is just a park but quite popular among the locals. We bought some food to bring home. My orange juice and yea! cola cao. It is just a chocolate drink that we tried while waiting for the train at Palencia station. And then we saw the advertisement on tv last night. I just had to buy one container (plastic container). Jules said I was an ad junkie.. I don't care.

We just lepak at Plaza Espania and took some pictures. Urgh! its good that mine is digital camera. I really need to give Jules a photography sessions. She is horrible when taking pictures! ;)

From there, we took a train back to Gran Via and again we browse the windows of shops along the road. Tonite we were thinking of just lepak and want to have another pasta dinner.

Again we stood at the tiny window watching my favourite pakcik making the pizza dough with style. He kinda spin it with his fingers flung to the air and catch it, plap on the table and put the tomato sauce and the toppings hmmmm.. nice! But this time we asked for pasta.. spinach and tomato pasta..

Although we went back early, I couldn't sleep. I let Jules watched her football match and after she finished there was a ET movie showing... er.. Spanish version, of course!

6.30am

Woke up for the Subuh prayer brrr... the water was cold. Finished and snuggled back under the blanket... another hour please...

9.30am

Checked out as there was no more room available for us until Monday. Decided to look for another room nearby. So once we checked out, we lugged our bag downstair and just rang any hostel's bell. We finally decided on Gaudy Hotel. Clean, got TV and hotshower for EUR 40.

Decided to do our laundry today. I've been wearing the same jeans for the past four days and it started to smell already.. urgh! Plus I almost ran out of undies and socks. So we compiled our stuff into plastic bags and started hunting for the laundreatte. The hostel owner gave us one sticker of a laundreatte not far away from the place last nite, so we decided to check the place out.

Brrrr... the temperature did not improved. Its colder, I can see vapors when Im just breathing.. brrrr. Clutching our plastic bags, we walked along the walkways searching for the laundreatte. Found the place and it was about 1km away from Hostel Gaudy.

It was a coin operated laundreatte and have instruction in several languages including English. They have machines for washing, detergent and drying. There are also a table for folding clothes and seating area to spend time while waiting for the laundry. There was a also a stack of magazine to browse through.

I thought it was funny that the laundreatte has a stack of magazines with half-naked men posters at almost every page but it did not stopped us for oogling though. But why ya? These men looked a bit like queers? Hehehehe.. why? Because we were browsing homo's magazine. Actually this road is famous for prostitutions and cross dressers and homosexuals so "naturally" they would have special magazine for them.. rite? hehehe. Whatever the reason, although we could not understand most words, the magazine still entertaining, educational while waiting for the laundry!

Once we done the laundry, we sent them back to hostel and the first agenda was sightseeing. So we purchased the Vision Bus for city tour. Boarded the bus at the red double-decker bus at Gran Via. There were not many people in the bus but its okay.

While the bus driver was manuvering into small lane, we saw our hockey team. Aik? There were here? Ohh they were participating in the World Hockey Games. Waved at the players, hehehe.. I guess they did not know that we are Malaysians kot. One of them looked sombong, probably thought that we are ngurating him? (duh!)

First stop, the El Prado Museum considered the largest art gallery in the world. It also exhibits sculptures, drawings, coins and other works of arts, but it is undoubtedly its large collection of paintings which has given it fame worldwide. It houses more than 8,600 paintings, of which they exhibit less than 2,000 because of lack of space available. Many museums throughout the world have less artistic riches in their halls than the Prado Museum has in storage.

The present day art gallery comes from the royal collections of the old Trinidad Museum, as well as acquisitions, donations and bequests.

Its history began during the reign of Charles III, when he tried to create a single art collection under one roof. But it was not until the reign of Fernando VII when the Royal Museum of Painting and Sculpture was created, on 19th November 1819. The kings death caused inheritance problems and endangered the unity of the collection, but with the disappearance of the monarchy in Spain the museum became national property and became known as the Prado National Museum.

From then to this date, the works of art have survived several challenges and were transferred several times during the Spanish Civil War, ending up in the Swiss city of Geneva and being returned to Madrid during the Second World War.

Nowadays, its treasures are exhibited in two adjacent buildings : the Villanueva Building where the majority of the works are housed, and the Cason del Buen Retiro.

The multiple origins of the paintings of the Prado Museum allow us to classify its works according to the nationality of the original school;

The Italian school has among others, works by Andrea Mantenga, Sandro Botticelli, Rafael, Andrea del Sarto, Correggio, Lorenzo Lotte, Tintoretto, Verones, Tiepolo and above all, Tiziano.

Early Flemish, with works by Rogier van der Veyden, Flemish master Hans Memling, Jochim Patinir, Quentin Metsys, Bernard van Orley, Hieronymus Bosch, Pieter Brueghel and the Flemish school with Rubens, Jordaens and Anton van Dyck.

The German, French and Dutch schools with works by Lucas Cranach, Albert Dürer, Nicolas Poussin, Claudio de Lorena and Rembrandt (Alias hehehe)

The Spanish school is represented with works by Spanish grand masters Bartolomé Bermejo, Pedro Berruguete, Luis de Morales, El Greco, Juan B. Maino, José de Ribera, Alonso Cano, Caudio Coello, Zurbarán, Velázquez, Murillo, Luis Meléndez,Goya ..... and a long list of great artists.

After spending about three hours inside the museum, we headed to Santiaga Bernebeu, for another round of tickets hunting for football match. This time, we approached one of the ulats and Jules studied the location of the seats in the stadium offered by the man. Not satisfied, we approached another ulat.

This time, Jules was happy with the seat and the row but the price EUR80 for EUR50 seat.
"Do you wanna take it?" I asked.
"Yeah, why not. This the reason why I came here," she said.
"OK. But I guess you have to watch alone. I don't have that much money to spare," I told her. She said ok.

So, we bought the tickets and proceed to the AreaMadrid at the nearby shopping arcade to buy some souvenirs. We just browse and bought some small things.

My First Snow

By the time we went out the complex, it was snowing. Wooweeee! It was windy and the snow flakes flew helter skelter. I got very excited although it was very cold. Told Jules that we have to walk in the snow "storm". Jules looked at me.
"Gila! Sejuk tau tak. Tunggu jer la salji habis turun."
"Please la hehehehe.. jom aaaa," I pleaded at her.
Fed-up with my childish antiques, she agreed and off we walked in my snow "storm" to the stadium again.
Ahh... the joy of being me. Such simple things that really can make me happy.

From the Stadium, we took metro back to Gran Via and decided to just walk and browse the shops there. We were hungry and this time we decided to sop at Jamaican Cafe and tried the pasta. I tried the Marinara.. urgh! It was a bad choice I guess. The shrimps were salty, but other than that, the meals were superb. There was a shop selling sundry so we stopped and bought bottle drinks.

From there we walked back to the hostel and stopped abain at Pizzeria. This time we bought pizza for breakfast tomorrow. I tried the Atun y pemiento. So what's the pamiento?
"Pamiento?" the shop owner said.. "wait!" He showed us a plastic container with chilies in it..
We grinned. "Okay, uno atun y pamiento pizza!" And Jules bought herself egg pizza.. yuck! (ok ok she loves eggs!)

Happily we carted our food up to the hostel room and after freshen up and solat, we dug into the food. Erkh! Can you imagine eating tuna pizza with chillies? I don't think I can swallow it down if I ever bought one here in Malaysia but in Madrid, everything tastes good.

IRUN - 7.36am

I could not sleep the whole night. My body hurt and I am still hungry. Some of my "roomates" had left at two stations earlier. I don't know where we are so I asked the girl under me whether we are already in Irun. She said no. Another station. Jules woke up earlier and went to the toilet to freshen up. I quickly donned my shoes, rummaged my bag for my toothbrush and toothpaste. Brought an empty bottle along for washing.

Right after I finished freshen up, the train slowed down. We are reaching Irun and it is still cold. Once the train stopped at the station, we lugged our bags down and were stopped by the immigration officers. There were several tourists who had already gathered around the two officers and showed them their passports.

We were ushered to a room at the back of the train. Just a routine check, we were informed. As usual, the only roses among the thorns hehehe. Our names were called one by one and after answering some basic questions such as our entry point and so on, we were released.

Out of the blue, one of the officers said "Terima Kasih" to us. We were so surprised that we didn't even asked how he knew the word means Thank You. We just smiled at him and automatically answered "Sama-Sama".

We immediately went to the ticket counter and after getting the money from the ATM machines we asked about tickets to Madrid, the counter said that there was no direct train to Madrid available today so we have to stop at Palencia first and then to Madrid. We agreed and bought the tickets.

I was in charge of taking care of the bags and sat on a bench that looked like a rail track.. It was unique. I took a picture of the bench.. hmmm

Took off the lid of my mee goreng container and was disappointed when the content smelled funny. Spoilt already. I am soo hungry and want something spicey. Lucky Juli's prawn still okay. Shared the seafood with her.

8.45am

The train to Palencia finally arrived. It is just two coach train but modern. Spacious and have baggage compartments for travellers like us. We were given numbered seats. So it was not first come first serve. I like the train hehehehe. As usual the inspector came to check our tickets and we were happy to oblige him.

From Palencia we took another train to Madrid. This train is not as modern as the one we travelled to Palencia, but it was okay, with the bags compartments and all. Still it was comfortable.

The train ride went through rural areas and the view was spactacular and actually I saw my first snow there. Wah! what a jakun. For a person who had travelled before , this was the first time I saw snow.. I giggled like demented person! Jules just rolled her eyes.
"It's just your luck to be stucked with a demented person like me," I cackled.

Up the hill we went.. then down to the plains... into tunnels and out.. wow! I was enjoying the view that I did not mind the five hour train ride.

5.45pm

Finally we were at Charmartin Estacion and first destination would be at Santiago Bernabeu. We have to buy the match ticket. The taxi driver was amused that we want to stop at the stadium first but he understand as the reason why most people come to Madrid was to watch the match. Furthermore with David Beckhams as one of the main players, More Brits are coming to the city to give support.

Anyway, once we reached the stadium, we proceed straight to the ticket counter. Ops! tickets sold out.
Jules was disappointed. Really disappointed. I can see that.
So I had to pacify her and told her that we still can buy the tickets from the ulats in front. The ulats probably afraid to approach us to sell tickets as we were carrying our big bags along.
Took another taxi ride to the hostel area and checked in for the night.

We were lucky to find a room at the hostel as most of them were fully booked because of the match this Sunday. Jules's mood had improved a bit and I've decided that we have to go get something to eat.

So after having our first shower for the first time in three days, we performed our solat jama' maghrib and Isya' and went down hunting for food.

Jules showed me the famous Pizzaria where she and Deal used to buy pastas and pizzas. so, she recommended the Spinach speghetti and bought two. Stopped by a shop to buy mineral water and drinks to last for the next day.

PARIS

Finally we reached the Paris Orly Aiport after 13 hours flight in Airbus 340. Although we stopped in Amman for a few hours, we still groggy.

When we landed in Amman in the wee hours, the temperature outside was 6C. What can I do? grinned. Well, the good news is we cant walk outside the Queen Alia International Airport. So after the hassle with the airport staff on transit flights, we cleaned ourselves and rested while waiting for the flight from Amman to Paris. It is going to be another five hours flight.. urgh!

I was feeling a bit quesy coz of the food served... argh! Am not trying to be patriotic here but Malaysian Airline is much better. They served bread cheese and some lettuce called salad hehehe.. Anyway, it may be ok if my preference is not nasi and pasta. Furthermore, it was a late night flight.. so probably lighter is better?

Anyway, we have reached Orly around noon. We were the only Asian females on board. Others were.. I guess Arabs and European.

The stewards and stewardess started distributing the embarkation cards to the passengers to fill in. Are we required? "I don't know," said the stewardess. "Just fill in, if they say no well, you can throw it away later."
Dutifully, we filled the forms until at the box that said occupation. I looked at Jules.
"Nak tulis apa?"
"Tulis jer la apa kerja hang."
"Tulis kerani tak boleh ke?"
"Kan ke kita dah ada record dlm pasport kita yg dulu. If we lied that would put us in more trouble if they found out."
"Ha? Ok ke ni?"
"Should be ok," and Jules continued writing her profession - sub-editor - on the occupation box.
With bismillah, I wrote down mine.

Well, I should have lied and begone with the consequences.

We were stopped by the immigration officers just because of the stupid occupation box.
"parlez français ?"
"non" we said in unision.
"Engles?"
"oui!" again in unision.
"Here to work?" asked the female immigration officer
"No, just for holiday," answered Jules.
"Oh tourism," said the male immigration officer.
"Oui" i said.
"In France?"
"No just stop over. Going to Madrid tonight," Jules explained.
"hmm... follow me," he and she started walking.. fast pace.

Both of us were still blured. What's happening. Where are these two bringing us..
"Come.. follow us," again
We followed them.

Through a door, into a passageway.. another door and this time through a lane. Jules twitched me on the arm.
"Hey, we went through the VIP and Diplomat Lane lah"
"wow! Rasa macam penting ler kita ni."

We were ushered in the waiting room. It was quite nice. There was a another guy in the room. While we were observing our surrounding, the guy looked like he almost in tears.
So, both of us started speculating why we were brought to the immigration office. After some time of mulling, thinking and deep in thought (cheh! pretending), Jules said it must be because of the headscarf.

Yup, boys and girls.
French Government had just passed the law that no headscarf for Muslim students and workers. And they (the immigraton) thought that we are here to cover the story and give them a bad publisity.

So we burst into laugh and were quite relax while waiting for the Immigration clearance. Our laughters brought curiousity among the other immigration officers there. So we just smiled at them. Naaaah..not worried at all.

After 20 minutes being couped up in the room, the officer came out with our passports and gave to us. He ushered us to the door.. and bye! We were on our way to the bagage claiming area.

Contemplating with Jules.. should we wear our headscarf or not?

"Oh God, I acknowledge and confess before You, all my sins, please forgive them, as no one can forgive sins except You. Forgive my mistakes, those done intentionally, or out of my ignorance, with or without seriousness. Oh God, forgive my sins and my ignorance, forgive my sins of the past and of the future, which I did openly or secretly. Forgive the wrong I have done, jokingly or seriously. I seek Your protection from all the evil I have done. Wash away my sins, and cleanse my heart, from all the sins as a white garment is cleansed from the filth, and let there be long distance between me and my sins, as You made the East and West far from each other."

At the airport information counter we asked the officer where to take train from Paris to Madrid. She suggested we go Gare Montparnasse and took a bus to the train station. The bus fare cost EUR15.

1.30pm

After we bought the night tickets to Madrid, we stored our bags at the coins compartment and ready to explore Paris. As both of us did not went up to the Eiffel Tower, the first time we were in Paris in 2001, we decided to do so this time. Thinking that the queue would not be too long due to the winter season. The temperature was around 7-10C so I was still freezing under my fleece. It's ok though, just let my fat do extra work to warm me up! hehehe. So, we took the RER ride from Montparnasse to Bir-Hakeim and walked to Eiffel Tower.

the queue was long. Although not as long as during the summer. I guess most of the European took the opportunity of going up the Eiffel and visiting France during the winter to avoid massive tourists flow during the summer. Jules was conned into buying a pack of postcards as she thought that the ones in the store at the tower would be very expensive. hehehe. I got a pack back home and don't think I need another one.

Bought the ticket up to the third tier. Cost us EUR10.50 per person. Ah.. the anticipation of going up to the top tier and face the cold windy day. hehehehe.. The lifts up to the tiers were crowded like a can of sardines. I really had to press myself to the door. Had this scary thought.. what if the cable broke? uh! don't think, enjoy the view.

Yup, the view was spactacular. I guess there was nothing interesting in this wrought-iron tower except the view of Paris. You can see the River Seine, Les Invalides, Église du Dôme,Paris Opera house, Arch De Triomphe near the busy Champs Elysees and other colourful or dull buildings. Well, its too cold, what da ya expect?!

http://ryhano.mypicgallery.com/ryhann/100-0094_large.jpg

Anyway, spent more than one hour on the tower and admiring Paris through wired fence. (Its too hight.. the fence to prevent people from jumping off the tower). Headed to the second tier and checked out the shops selling postcards and bells.. (urgh! too expensive) and the first mission of sending postcards began.




After we had too much of Paris, we went back to Montparnasse station and started to loiter around while waiting for our 7.20pm train. We were actually hungry but did not want to eat bread. So we thought of buying some mee, prawns and rice from one and only asian food stall at the station. Went out the station and saw a stall selling drinks. Ahhh.. hot chocolate. I love their hot chocolate.. so rich. Bought a second one hehehehe

7pm

There was no sign of the train. I was getting worried. Jules too. So I told her to wait while I asked at one of the counters. Oh no! We are at the wrong station. We were supposed to take the train at another station Gare d'Austerlitz, but were not informed about it. So, we proceed to the international train counter again and had the ticket changed. There was no direct train to Madrid so we had to change train in Irun - the France-Spain border. He could not booked ticket from Irun to Madrid, we have to do ourselves. OK. He booked the tickets at 11.25pm and we have to proceed to Australitz.

Took our bags and ran to the taxi stand for a taxi to Gare Australitz. No wonder the train station did not looked familiar when we arrived this morning. The temperature had dropped down to 3C and I was tortured with cold. The station was big too airy. Meaning that it is colder here with marble floor and marble walls. There was only one single heater at the centre of the station and everyone were crowding it. it was the longest four hours waiting of my life. I was cold, hungry and I can't sit down on the marble floor. My bum became numb!

Finally, the train arrived and I immediately checked our compartment. Uh! we got the six beds room and we were on top of them. Gosh! we had to climb almost to the ceiling. I was cranky already and pushed my bags up with me. Let Jules go up and then I joined her. Took off my shoes and straight went to bed. I just refused to think about anything. I want to just close my eyes and when I open them, we should be in Irun.

2.40pm

Finally we got to buy air tickets after few hours hurting our two feets walking and tawaf around KLCC area. No choice but to take the Jordanian Air ziarah package. Still considered the cheapest although we had to pay RM3,136 for the return tickets. Heathrow, Manchester and Birmingham flights were fully booked so we decided to touch down in Paris via Bangkok and Amman.

The promotion called open Jaws ticket. Yep. Open Jaw. I was a bit confused with the jargon earlier. Open Jaw? What? Does it mean that the promotion was so spactacular that we would be too amaze and have our jaws hanging open? hahahaha.. well not.

Open Jaws for this particular promotion meant that we can take flight to any destination in UK and Europe and coming back from any airports from these destinations. Hmm.. not bad. So we agreed to take the flight to Paris Orly airport and come back from Heathrow airport UK and stopped in Amman for the two-day ziarah.

The counter guys at the travel agency seems bored when we approached them thinking that these two selebet girls just want to waste their time asking for flight destination, but one of them was nice enough when answering our questions. They were quite taken aback though when we asked for the earliest flight to either Paris or UK. Sam (was that his name?) said that the seats are all taken to UK, however they can slot us in if we want to go to Paris..

Us : "Hari ni ada tak bang"
Sam : "Ada, pukul 10.50pm flight to Paris. OK ke?" (asking with a smile)
US : (after much discussion) ok
Sam : Serious ke ni?
Us : Berapa bang. Nak bayar ni
Sam : (tapping with his culculator) RM3,136. Nak bayar cash ke credit
Us : Cash.. Maybank sebelah ni jer kan?

The transaction begins. In we went to see our beloved kawanku who would only become good buddies during early and middle of the month. Other than that.. hmmm ;-)

Sam : Here is your Ziarah phamplet. You know that you have to stop in Amman for two days right? When do you want for your ziarah, going or coming back?
Us : (discussion again). Coming back.
Sam : Ok. So. you got the money?

We handed him the fresh and crisp paper with agong face called money to him..

Sam : Fuh! Macam jual kat McDonalds pulak
Us : Kat McD kalau beli meal ada dapat free gift.. errr tak de ke untuk kami?

He went to the back room and brought two packets of Dead Sea salts and a cap.. errr is that all? For RM3,136, we got almost two kilos of dead sea minerals? hmmmmm

3pm

Jules was hungry, so we decided to have lunch at KFC building. I told her that I want to pay my hutang piutang card credit coz I want to happily swipe them during the holiday. She agreed. Went to the Southern Bank auto teller and slotted in RM200 for the cards.

We were so hungry and I ate my nasi goreng in just 15 minutes. We were very happy that after two weeks of idling doing nothing (despite taking leave) that we finally going to Europe. We chatted happily between bites. Discussing and worrying because we have only a few hours to settle everything. Since I've packed my stuff, all I'm worrying about is how to get the staff that Minna asked from her sister in Taman Tun.

On the way back to KLCC, where I parked my car, we stopped by at one shop selling jackets and sports tshirts. Told Jules that I need a jacket as we would not be able to take my leather jacket that I've asked Minna to buy for me in Hull. She agreed. After checking one after another, I settled on the brown NBA fleece jacket for RM29.90. I pray hard that I can brace the cold in Paris ;-)

Stopped by KLCC to take the pictures that Jules had sent to be developed earlier and took the opportunity to change M'sian RM with Euro.. Alamak so ciput!

Right after that we shoot to Taman Tun and called Minna's sister in law on things that we supposed to bring for the families there. Erk... 4kg of serunding and a bag full of what? Shoes, underwears, jeans? OK, I said to myself. Just paste the smile and take the stuff. we sort these all out later.

On the way back, I can see that Jules was uncomfortable with the things that we supposed to carry. Honestly, who would like to lug around 4kg of beef rendang all over Spain? Plus a pair of high heel shoes, jeans and even this is hilarious - some small containers to make agar-agar (jelly). We had a good laugh though. Told Jules that we still have to leave some things back. I don't think that I have space for high heels as I agreed to carry all the 4kg beef rendang. Jules was contemplating on the stuff she wanted to left behind..

"I want to bring this jelly containers. This is very important. Who knows she want to do the jelly, we have to bring this," she said with straight face. I can't help it and burst laughing.

6pm

Got stuck in traffic jam. Took us about an hour from Taman Tun to Wangsa Maju. Stopped by office in Bangsar to pick Sue. She hold the house keys.. duh! Reached the flats at almost 7pm. Ran all the way to the fifth floor and lug my brand-new Deuter Traveller with wheels down the stairs and dumped into the boot. Said bye to Sue and shoot to Jules's apartment. Took fresh clothes except my bag for quick shower and solat maghrib jama' with isya'. Since I travelled from Malacca, I still had the previllege for jama'.

Called mom and told her that Im ready to go in just a few hours time. As usual, mom gave me her lecture on "jangan tinggal solat, jangan buat perkara yang tak senonoh.. pandai-pandai jaga diri etc etc..". Sometimes I felt like teenagers to be reminded all these stuff.. but then it is good to be reminded again and again..

8.30pm

Ardie wanted to drive us to KL Sentral. So we crammed into his Bidin (proton wira) all these big sizes people. Pity Bidin. I gave my Ms Wira keys to Ardie and told him to just check on her once a while. Ardie smile.. Bidin sure happy to have a female friend around...

Arrived at KL Sentral. Said thanks to Bidin and Ardie. Ran to ERL counter. Jules bought the tickets for me. Another 11 minutes to go so we immediately pushed our bags through the lane and wait in the train. Hahahaha... we made it. We should be in KLIA in 28minutes..

9.10pm

Checked in. Asked for two seats coz we do not want aisle seats. The ticketing officer didn't say anything. Just asked for our tickets, passports and "please put your bags on the conveyer belt" In just 10 minutes our begs were already on the way into the plane.

Do we need anything? naaay... I still haven't felt tired from all the run around we did this afternoon. I hope I would be too sleepy in the flight to notice the long journey.. Just hope. I dont feel thrill of the long journey, cooped in the plane. So boring.

Took the train to the departure hall and spent time browsing the duty free shops. Called mom again and Along. Told them that we are already in the departure hall and waiting for the flight at 10.50pm. Again mom reminded me to take care.. ok.

10.20pm

We were already in the departure hall. Waiting for the green light to board the flight. Saw all the stewards and Stewardess of the Royal Jordanian... wow! so gebu and cantik-cantik.

Finally, we were allowed to board the plane. Walked slowly as there were not many people boarding from KLIA. I knew that the plane would stop in Bangkok around 1am so probably there would be more passengers going to Paris via Amman.

Stepped into the plane.. smile at the stewardess..

"Your seats ma'am?"

I showed her my boarding pass.

"This way," All the way to the back of the plane.

"Your seats ma'am. You can put your begs in the above compartment"

I looked at Jules, she stared back.. "Waste our time asking for two seats.. hehehehe," I told her. We got Airbus and the window rows have two seats...