Journaling in Jordan

29032018

Flight from Sabah delayed by 3 hours. 

Arrived in KLIA 2 by 3am. 

Slept at Capsule by Container Hotel. 

Woke up for Subuh. 

Slept in till 0810H. 

—

30032018

Ride to KLIA - RM2 x 2

Breakfast at Food Garden

Makcik Nasi Kandaq for Ms and nasi goreng ayam for me, yum! - RM9.45

Nescafe to go - RM3 

Too hot, couldn't finish, had to throw by immigration

SV0841, 8h 50m

Cannot sleep

Mid seat - bad idea

Lots of toilet breaks

Movie marathon

- Coco

- Thor Ragnarok x2 playback Vs Hulk and post fight scene

- The Hitman's Bodyguard

- The Proposal and Annabelle: Creation - couldn't sustain my attention

 

Guy behind me had a fit x3 in 15 minutes. 

Plus crying wife. 

Some aged GP went to help. 

I don't think the first aid was appropriate nor correct, but since I didn't own up I have no place to say. 

In Jeddah International Airport

God, I forgot I've been here and how campy and uncomfortable it is. 

The people… from all sorts of walk of life is all I can say. 

People watching, spot guessing where they came from. Kinda easy to pick out the Egyptian and Sudanese. 

Airport Queen Alia was nice. 

Sort of reminds me of Changi in its newness, lines and efficiency. 

Saw and used pretty isdal at the nice surau, but it's a two-piece so what's the point. 

500 USD = 350 JD

Azki Hanafi our murakkib drove us to Antika Hotel

Journey was from the edge of Amman, through high end abdoun where consulates live. 

Ms paid 88 JD

—

31032018

0930H

Madaba: Heritage trail of mosaic beauty.

Modern conclusion, it's a Legoland. 

Entrance to Kanisah Virgin Mary

3 JD each (Ms) + 0.25 (Azki)

Walk, walk, walk

Big ass Kanisah St George with map of promised land

Souvenir bought at Najd & Shahd where Muadz was handcrafting the mosaic

Bought a tree of life for 30 JD

1130H

Off to Mt Nebo where Nabi Musa pointed the promised land to the insolent people 

2 JD each (Atiqah)

Walk, walk, see

1 JD for water

Then to the Dead Sea

I wish I'm good at sketching

To Karak Castle

Which is actually a qal3ah Solahuddeen

Prayed at Masjid Hameedi

4 JD and valet parking 2 JD

Magnifique valley panoramic view

Oh yeah

We had lunch at a nearby eatery

7.50 JD

We then drove to Petra

Long way

Pretty moon followed us to La Maison Hotel

We had buffet dinner

Typical Arabic dishes not to my taste haha

I went up to the sutuh to catch the moon

GoPro acted up and I forgot the correct setting. Nvm. 

—

01042018

Breakfast spoiled my mood

Tomato tak sedap

Rasa tak fresh

I felt so betrayed :(

Went to Petra!

Each paid 50 JD

0900 - 1420H walk and hike!

I went up to the Ad-Dier monastery

A feat. 

I'm a Jordanian now. 

Lunch was syawarma superb bigibnah

They put fries, chicken, cheese, thum in suri and grill

I was so happy

Then orange with carrot juice to wash it down

Azki paid 6.45 JD

I owe Azki 1 JD for adapter and Ms 1 JD for water

Off to Wadi Rum

Camped at Hassan Zaneidah which is soo nice!

An hour jeep ride across the dune

Starry night

Moonlit desert

Shall we dance?

I went night photoshooting 

Azki teman

Could have gone alone but somehow scared haha

Ms paid 11 JD for Wadi Rum entrance and 85 JD for HZ camp

I paid Azki 6.50 + 1

For Azki, we paid him 780 USD

—

02042018

Ms paid 6.85 JD for lunch - I paid half

Went to Wadi Rum Station

Belonged to Turks

Carriage train for goods to Jordan

Still functioning

Off to Aqaba!

Glass boat 30 JD - paid half to Ms

Glass boat showed us the corals - not so colourful

Then dabbabah - the tank that King Abdullah sank to commemorate Karamah War where Urdun won against Yahud

And a sank safinah

I sat at the bow thinking of jumping in, but we have no life vest

Prayed at the mosque

I paid 6 JD for lunch

Ms paid 4 JD for asir and water

Off to Amman

Checked in Hotel Larsa

So nice!

But broken aircond

Dinner at Jabri

Atiqah paid 2.90 JD for kunafah and 14.40 JD for mansaf

—

03042018

Best breakfast of fresh baked bread!!!

With live demo

Ms paid 87 JD for the hotel

Went to Ashabul Kahfi cave

Penerangan by sheikh there

Then to Salt

Beautiful architecture

Thanks Hariz :) 

Kissed by makciks at Masjid Alkabir near Ain Plaza

Azki bought us atayeef :)

Then to Amman Citadel

I paid 6 JD

Then dinner at Mat3am Al-Kaherah hahah

KEPALA KAMBING WITH KABSAH

Tongue actually tasted good

Atiqah paid 9 JD

Souvenir were 20 JD 

Got myself a cushion cover for the car

Azki told me to just get Hariz a mug, quoting "Cinta tak perlu mahal" haha apa?

Asob was 0.50 JD

40 JD for one night Nahas

Groceries 4.50 JD

—

04042018

Mujahid took us to Ajloun

Atiqah paid 0.80 JD

Too many school kids

Arab bising haha

Then changed to Taqi

Lunch ritsh at Tadammur per Hariz suggestion

I paid 8.50 JD

SEDAPPP

ISI BESARRRR

SALATOH AND SALSAH SEDAP

NASI SEDAPP

Then to Ma3rokah Yarmuk

Vast field and plateau

Then got lost while cari belakang Umm Qays for Tasik Tabari and Al-Ghorub

I paid 3 JD for drinks

Prayed and visited maqam and Masjid Muadz bin Jabal

Met back Azki at Gourmet

Drank farawlah

And ate shawarma

Atiqah paid 2 JD for food

Ms paid 5 JD

Sedekah was 0.30 JD

—

05042018

Checkout Nahas

Ms paid the rest half of total 40 JD

We went back to Tasik Tabari

It's behind Umm Qays

Through a field of daffodil

The landing was cool

You see the view

And wind was blowing strong almost knocking me off my feet

We went to JUST

And Azki bought shawarma otw

Awesome as always, 4 JD - paid him

JUST was barren

Unlike us Cairo surrounded by Nile

I took a picture there just for the sake of it

Then we went to Jerash 

I really should look up the places I go before I go there

It's a huge area to walk under the sun

Haha

Tiring but puas

10 JD each for entrance

Back to Amman

We crashed at Al-Hussein Park

It has buildings of museum, but the park itself is barren to say the least

Just trees

Not so springy

Azki went to the Royal Automobile Museum and got himself free entrance

We loitered in the car

Tired from Jerash

I smell of sand

I asked Hariz what he wants from Jordan

He said he's a fan of Jobedu shirt but told me not to susah2 for it

Googled. Nearby. 

We went there

I picked out a size S for him

He said "M kot?" but there's no decent pattern left in M and I forgot how Hariz's built is

I'm praying it fits

15 JD for him

I guess I'll keep the mug

Flight back 

Rather uneventful

Hardly any sleep

Movie marathon:

- The Man From UNCLE because Henry Cavill looked cool

- Gifted because it's Chris Evans

Landed KUL

Parted from Ms

Took the express to see mi familia

—

I feel like I'm becoming friends with Hariz because of this trip

I get to see what he loved of Jordan

I get to know him a bit

I realised how flighty but responsible he is

Maybe it's just me, but I need to have a point of interest

But what am I worthy of?

Compared to him who has done his part contributing to the society

I've just been doctoring all this while

Nothing beyond my hospital

He's amazing in that sense

I'm not up to that yet

I should, right? Find a bigger cause. 

For Hariz's shirt, I wanted to meet him and give it myself

But I guess I'm embarrassed

So I sent it by mail

i used to wake up early to go on amazing adventures but now i dont want to wake up

Hi it's me. Been quiet here. It means I'm out of muse, good or bad.

Part 1 exam tomorrow. You know that means I barely studied for it, binged on distractions and not exactly sorry. It's another episode of Reckless To The Point Of Fearless.

Should have quit before I even started. People don't change. 

Right now I'm remembering the time I was on a public van travelling alone from Tanta to Cairo, the day darkened. I'm usually more vigilant but somehow I fell asleep. Woke up to find my head leaning on the neighbouring Egyptian auntie who told me to sleep somemore until we get to the train station. I think I did that.

Lucky enough it wasn't some deprived Egyptian man. I would have stab him in the jugular. 

payau masak kicap

Atteh's father is previously a hunter and they grew up on game meat in Kinabatangan. He said his mom is famous for payau masak kicap and that that's his favourite.

That night we went for dusk safari before dinner and we kept seeing sambar deer. But all I could see was payau masak kicap. 

miss has faith in me, but she shouldn't have

Took a long drive today to Tenom. Up there on Kimanis I saw an eagle so close, but it was actually me being high up on the hill near to its nest. At a glance it looked like a serpent crested eagle as it swooped down into the lush trees. And then the view of the sea was so far away but magnificent nonetheless.

Coming down I saw a stretch of cloud over the town down the valley. My breath was taken and downhill was ominous as per every time I drive through a forest shrouded in the clouds. 

Down down down. The small town of Tenom reminded me of Limbang and the journey out reminded me of Lahad Datu with the hilly road and palm oil estates. My landmark has always been health facilities, and the farthest accessible on a sporty compact car via asphalt road was Kuala Tomani and thus where I headed. I blasted to Michigo Aniya and I realised this playlist should be renamed to Renji Club On Wheels. 

Fiery red rambutans hanging heavy on trees. I was tempted to stop by and pluck them but oh hi there long tailed macaques. 

I stopped somewhere safe to check my map. If I head west I can reach Brunei. If I head straight south I can reach Indonesia. I have my passport with me as usual. Where should I go from here? 

Nisa texted and suggested we go for lunch. So I headed back to town. 

I'm so tired

5 days travelling

Atago-san

I suggested we go to Atago-san because of the Hakata Bay view from up there. Also I wanted to try their fancy matcha kakigori, and the fact that Atago Shrine is symbolic of fire protection. I've been in a fire, so yeah.

We hiked up there. Luqman was smoking all the way and I willed myself to not pant. With that kind of chain-smoking how the hell is he still so fit?

We went up to the shrine and I washed my hands per their routine, adding on my own face washing. I stopped in front of the water area and admired the fact that all religions advocate cleanliness.

The view was admirable. I bet sunset and sunrise here be pretty, because it's a hill facing the sea for sunset and behind it is the mountains for the sunrise. I'll come here again next time for those.

We went to the shrine's fancy Japanese cafe. Luqman had azuki mochi and hot tea like the old man he is, smoking again. I had the matcha kakigori with azuki bean that I wanted. It came with sparklers and it was a pretty summer. I took a video of it.

The bitter sweet of the matcha paired with the fulfilling azuki beans. There's a specific taste to their kakigori, salty a bit. And the ice shape. They looked like Christmas. I heard they're made from hot spring water or something.

Perfect summer.

Luqman paid for our tea. It was more expensive than our brunch. He asked me if I know of this place and their menu. I gave him a smirk. Of course, what did he take me for?

Today I had Green Mug with Mizah. I didn't want coffee lest I couldn't sleep until 2am again, so I looked at their non tea selection. Yeah their red tea is nice.. oh wait they have matcha.

"I'll have the matcha with cheese please."

Tomatoes

The first breakfast I had there I piled up tomatoes on my plate because I'm a big fan of tomatoes since Egypt days (Egypt's tomatoes are so so good) and I thought well they're pretty much next door so Jordan's tomatoes must be as good, yeah?

But to my horror them tomatoes were sour. The old kind of sour. I felt betrayed, like the chef stabbed me with the fork I was eating with. I barely swallowed the piece I chewed and I gave up on the rest of them. My mood was sullen. Why was the tomatoes sour? How could they do this to me? Gone were my hopes and dreams of reliving my days in Egypt by having sweet tomatoes for breakfast. This was so wrong. I got up and had toast for breakfast instead, still complaining. My travelmate chuckled disbelieved at my mini outburst but being the person who usually bottles her emotions and reserves them for only important stuffs I felt I had every right to be emotional about tomatoes.

Enough to say I didn't touch any tomatoes for the remainder of my stay. I actually glared at them every morning I pass them at the breakfast buffet. Goodness this kid held vengeance.

Blue Hole is veeeeery deep an acrophobic might want to stay away

Today we went snorkeling at Blue Hole, Dahab. It was a first time activity for me and at LE25 a person, I jumped at the opportunity. Literally.

I jumped into the water after Maisarah's lil bro Naqib and went to swim ahead, enjoying the coral life. I quickly reached the edge of said Blue Hole and the sudden loss of sea floor was a fright for an acrophobic like me. I turned around and rushed towards the small bridge. It was supposed to be only a few strokes away but panic level was rising at a frighteningly fast pace.

I could see Yen standing on the bridge, observing the struggling me. "Okay dak?" He asked.

He was closer than the bridge pole I was heading to. I so wanted to grab on to him for life's sake but oh God can I please just grab on to this married guy please-

He grabbed my arm and pulled me in, allowing my to catch on the bridge pole. I regained my senses and floated upright. Pulled my breathing mask out and gasped for direct fresh air.

"Terima kasih Yen, terima kasih."

Nauzubillah but if this dude ever needed a liver, I'll get myself cross-matched.

---

I built up my courage bit by bit, snorkeling across the Blue Hole edges by edges. Then we had a guide who guided us across the whole Blue Hole and over the orange line into the deep sea of Gulf of Aqaba. I did panicked once during the guide but I quickly resurfaced to calm myself, a small pep talk and went back to snorkel again.

It was a refreshing experience. Among the things floating on my mind during the swim across were:
(1) subhanallah wal hamdulillah la ilaha illallah Allahu akbar
(2) there're so many more of this Earth I haven't explored yet
(3) God is Great. I have to work all out harder for this deen
(4) I want to go do Umrah
(5) I need to really work harder for this deen

---

When we got back to the Titanic port waiting for our ride back to the hotel, Ume announced the results of our MBBCh were out. I decided not to spoil our holiday mood, I mean, I just got out of the water, gimme a break. I wasn't bothered much by whatever result I would get since the mindset I had at the very beginning of the study leave. But Ume kept worrying.

Yen opened the result link and told us to tell him if we wanted to know ours. Of course we all rushed to him and waited as he announced each and every one of ours.

"JJ, Jayyid, JJ. Tahniah Hana." Yen read out my Internal Medicine, Surgery and overall grade.

"Terima kasih Yen." My content mode didn't differ much except for an offered grin. "Alhamdulillah aku dapat apa yang aku nak," I remarked to Ume. Sarah was crying happily. Ume was ecstatic.

Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. After we confirmed all tripmates made it (aside the mentioned names, there were also Humaici, Tima, Lin, Izzah, Rohim, Ijan, Chip plus Ayad and Luqman), I borrowed Yen's phone to scroll through everyone's result to see who didn't make it yet.

---

First thing I did when I reached the hotel was opening the door and announced to my parents the results were out.

"Hana lepas. Semua kawan trip lepas."

"Tahniah!" Dad congratulated enthusiastically.

"Hana dapat Jayyid Jiddan." I added as an afterthought.

Dad gave me a more enthusiastic thumbs up from his lounging on the bed.

Later after we checked out and headed back to Cairo, I checked my phone and SitRepped to Kak Elli and Bawarouq.

---

We were ganging up against Izany's 10-year-old bro Aryan.

Me: (pointing to Fadzlin) Ni siapa?
Aryan: Kak Lin.
Lin: Belakang tu?
Aryan: Kak Meme.
Me: Nama akak ape?
Aryan: Kak Dora.
Me: (semi-standing on my seat and turning to scream at Izany at the back of the bus) Weh Ijan amende kau ajar adik kau ni!!!

Met Sakuragi at Esplanade

Saw Sakuragi and a chibi Ultraman postcard among the display at a store in Esplanade so I excitedly rummaged through the entire basket of anime postcards. I only found the Ultraman I wanted but there was no Sakuragi. Did they sold out? I stared longingly at Sakuragi on the display.

I should ask the counter guy.

"Hi do you still have Sakuragi from Slam Dunk postcard? I looked through all the postcards I couldn't find him."

"We're sold out, sorry."

"Then the only one left is the display, huh."

"I can give you the display one."

"I want! Thank youu. Do you have anyone else from Slam Dunk?" I would pay double for Mitchi♡!!

"Sorry we don't."

I sighed. "That's too bad."

---

I paid to the counter girl. She smiled at me and asked "Are you a tourist?"

I don't like that word but anyway. I wondered what gave me away. Maybe my tasteless tudung style is so not Singaporean, haha. "Yes I am."

"Are you from Indonesia?"

"Nope I'm from Malaysia."

"Oh I see. Is it a school break in Malaysia now?"

What do I still look like a schoolkid? I'm 24 la.

I grinned. "No it's not. I study in Egypt so it's my break right now."

Stupidly, fearlessly carefreely, I haven't properly study this past two weeks. I'm gonna burn in hell for my incompetency.

"Yeah I thought the timing was off."

Mint choc chip ice cream with liberal amount of choc fudge sauce and peanuts to top

It was decided a long time ago that we're going to be a person of many pleasure but few indulgence and that we're going to live by "love is appreciation, not possession". So this one time, please brave this out because there's a lot more to be considered than just your own pleasure. There is deeper meaning to happiness and ticking off your indulgences is not necessarily one of it.

I know this is a heartbreak and the pain hurts worse than any physical hit, but everything is merely in your head. Your feelings are yours, no one can tell you what to feel. If you're jealous, it's only because you're not looking at what you already have and achieved.

I'll do my best in avoiding provocations so please do your best by thinking of something else and control yourself. We have work to do this coming two days, focus and don't screw up.

Get a grip, we can do this. We've survived too much and this long, this time it is nothing.

---

Really, I'm a simple person. You can feed me rice and plain omelette and I'll be more than happy. I'll have milk for breakfast and salted chips for snack. I can sleep anywhere and stay anywhere I can see the sky from. I don't need fancy clothes so long I have my favourite jeans and my black tee. 

I don't wish for much. I just want to be able to sleep at a proper time and alternate between being lazy and doing my best. Ultimately I want to go to exciting places, do exciting stuffs and nap under the sky afterward. I want to be self-sufficient and not have to depend on others, but I've come to realize there are some crucial things I have to let go because I'm not great enough, I can't always run off on my own. And because it's a personal dream, I can't possibly impose on others what I've longed for all this time. 

"When there's two of you, you can dream bigger dreams."

So this is not the end yet. I'll manage. I just need to find someone who's willing to be imposed on, and I promise I'll run through hell for that person in exchange. 

Shipping Industry Worker With A Penchant For Trees And Perfecting Deformity

Flight from Abu Dhabi to Cairo saw me sitting next to a grieving Turkish-Pakistani on her impromptu flight to be with her friend whose mother just passed away a few hours before. We chatted most of the journey because she needed to.

At one point she asked me to describe myself. I paused and told her "I'm arrogant. I tend to take people and things for granted." 

Surely I got berated for that. Reminded me of Mizuiro Kojima in Bleach whose first self-introduction was self-degradation, but he scored point with Ichigo because of his honesty.

We then got to know each other, exchanged life stories, future plans, love mishaps (lulz), laughter, Panadol. I gave her my only packet of caramelized banana chips as a token of my gratitude for everything.

Most importantly, we promised to keep in touch.

We parted at the arrival terminal gate with a hug. She reminded me to keep in touch (since we're both Leos, she probably sensed my ability to remember people in silence and conveniently forget to contact them) and I prayed she remains strong for Nagm, a happy ending with Hazem and everything goes well and smooth. 

"Better to be single than married to an ass."

"Everything has an age."

"Travel, love and worship."

"I feel like a granny; telling you all these and you smiling and nodding. Do it now or you'll regret it. I tell you, I am the future you."

All right, Nil. I get allergy with human, so I'll go love a tree now. Keh3.

Laid-back

I never get the hang on long-haul public transport. It either makes me nauseous or sleepy. For the sake of everyone, I sleep.

It was only ten minutes into the journey and already I lost consciousness. The bumpy ride jolted me awake and the Egyptian aunty on my right gushed for me to continue sleeping, patting her shoulder.

Apparently I had spent the last half hour using her shoulder as a makeshift pillow. I sheepishly apologized to her but the uncle on my left and passengers in front of me gushed me to have my sleep. I didn't know why they were so concerned (either I looked toxic or they took in my small frame and considered me a pathetic lonesome girl) and at loss of word, I obliged and continued sleeping on her shoulder. It lasted another fifteen minutes, before the bumpy road was too much and I had to change my head position to lean onto the seat in front of me.

I woke up in time for my stop. My voice was still hoarse from the sleep so the uncle shouted out my stop to the driver. I bid him farewell and continued my journey.

I am one freaking laid-back traveller. Some will say my dependency on Allah is so high I forget everything else, haha.

Lone Ranger

I have this problem in differentiating flirting from being good friendly. Whatever center responsible for that in my brain is probably broken from prolonged exposure to fictions. It poses a big problem because when you're a "lone ranger" as kindly pointed out by your dutiful driver, you end up being chatted up by strangers.

At first it was okay and I was bored anyway. He was from Gaza and showed videos of his beautiful kids playing in their rebuilt house after shelling from the last war and at the beach. Then he wanted to exchange contacts and the naive me who didn't know any better, offered my Internal Medicine notes for him to jot down his emails and telephone number.

Then he scribbled something else. I nearly bombed him with the F word but it was the eve of Eid Adha so no cursing allowed but come to think of it, maybe I should have asked out loud why the f*** he wrote that.

So that's why he never mentioned anything about his wife while we talked about his family. You're married. Don't flirt with me, asshole.

So that was why I had to sleep or study throughout my journey because if I didn't, bugger will freaking bug me. Despite my best effort of informing him of my (non-existing) boyfriend in Egypt to get him off my back. Leech.

In the end, I successfully ditched him at the passport control KLIA. Thank God for autogate.

Idle Girl to Abu Dhabi

Etihad was pretty cool.

The current movie selection was rather boring actually, but their album collection was OMG. They had two albums on Queen, one on The Script (I would have been doing cartwheel if not the fact I'm on board a plane) and an entire album of AC/DC!

Haha THUNDERstruck! I was officially on bat-shit crazy OKC fan mode.

To be fair to fans of sissy boys, there were JBiebs and One Direction albums as well. In a tribute to Kemal who enjoys vocal powerhouse ladies, Celine Dion was also there to be enjoyed.

Life was therefore balanced.

In another news, I walked from Saidina Hussein to Mounira last night. Rabid taxies wouldn't pick us up and there was no way I'm waiting around. Went to three different supermarkets on the way back because a certain little sister wanted Temmy's Papaya Granola Bars, with no luck. Bought Power Flakes with Raisin instead.

Was sore all over, passed out twice in the tub during a 30-minute soak, packed my luggage with uncooperative upper limbs yet sleep failed to come until 4.30 in the morning. Was awoken from my sprawl on the floor three hours later by an affectionate lovebite on my earlobe courtesy of the ants. Stupid perverts made rather good wake-up alarm.

Told the sister about her granola bars and that little prick had the nerve to be ungrateful. Now another reason to look forward to my flight home was to be able to wring her neck and smack her head really hard with the Power Flakes I bought her that she ended up with counter-coup contusion.

Ahh. Something to look forward to.

At the Abu Dhabi airport, the officer let a family of Arabs cut the line in front of me. I muttered "Ain't that f---ed up" and yes I am rotten, I know. Then I saw it was a family with three kids.

My muttering continued, "Great. Kids. I should get fat and claim I am pregnant."

"If you fall into the river, you will be in Seine."

Writing this in 2012, I miss one part of Paris right now.

The Humpback of Notre Dame.

I had just finished rounding up the Notre Dame and enjoying the street performance in front of it. Was walking by The Seine but the sun was too much and it was nearing lunch time so I skipped into the city in search for a halal eatery, opting to walk in the back alleys where it was cooler and the eateries offered cheaper alternatives.

Found a halal Greek stall and since the guy up front looked Arab to me, I asked for the menu in Arabic, hehe. Was in luck :D My lunch was an overflowing chicken Greek gyro sandwich.

Grilled chicken, french fries, veggies, yogurt-like sauce wrapped in pita.
3 or 4 euros, I forgot. 

Where else to enjoy a good lunch in a sunny day rather than in one of Paris's beautiful gardens? Having spent a good deal of my morning at the biggest public garden in Paris (Jardin des Tuileries), I decided on the second biggest for my lunch. Tucking my lunch safely in my day bag, I took the Metro and dropped off at the Odeon station which was nearest to Jardin du Luxembourg.

Luxembourg Palace overlooking one of the many landscapes.

La carte du Jardin du Luxembourg.

Picked a bench overlooking the garden and ate my lunch happily with a limping pigeon and its flock staring expectantly at me, squirrels chattering by. Half of it finished, I walked up ahead and enjoyed the in-garden orchestra.

It was a local school performance. I swear I jotted down the name but since it took me two years to really write about this, of course the name is lost now. Pfft. I'd check my travel journal this summer. 

I spent that day on foot alone. It's not something you're supposed to do in dangerous Paris because among the European cities we went, Paris was the least safest among them... which made it more exhilarating. Suicidal, but exhilarating. (I'm stupid and stubborn, I know.)

How this thing reminds people of romance, I don't know. 

At the end of the day, I met the crew back by The Seine at the designated time and ready to board the Seine cruise. Excitedly told Ara and Nisa where I've been and what I did but they weren't impressed that I ditched them. 

The dock where we were dropped off and our designated meeting place.
Just a little away from the Eiffel Tower. 

Boss Hairul was listening nearby. Earlier in the afternoon, we met at the Paris Mosque and he nodded his approval and commented it was good that I can be a tour guide myself when I told him I was walking around on my own. But that evening by The Seine, he gave me a rather disbelieved look once it downed on him that when I said I was "on my own", I meant I was 'alone'. He proceeded to reprimand me in a quiet voice.

Also that day I pocketed a stern warning from Abang Sam and Abang Khubaib, not to mention an earful from my seniors. I avoided Mak Cik Ani that day because she already threatened to tell my mom when she caught me wandering alone in Amsterdam. Hahaha.

But I would do it again anyway.

8th Feb - Hiking Up to Albayzin

We walked into the alley and it forked into a left and right turn. The right one seemed to be going uphill; the best bet for us if we want to be on the right track to Albayzin. As the one ahead, I waited for everyone at the junction before turning the corner.

There was a man in dark hair and dark clothing pacing nearby. He eyed us for a moment and I felt chilled, perhaps we should kept going hurriedly?

He paced nearer and greeted in his deep voice, "Assalamualaikum."

I smiled happily and greeted back. "Waalaikumussalam." Here's a brother, yay!

"Where are you from?"

"We're from Malaysia."

"Are you going to Albayzin, see the mosque?"

"Si," I nodded and gestured, "Go here, right?"

"Si. Todo recto."

"Okay, todo recto." That means go straight.

He hesitated and continued the rest in Spanish word by word. "Ir a la dezquita."

"Okay.." I mumbled, paying attention.

"Subir la escalares," he motioned with his fingers to walk upwards. I've seen enough signboards to know escalares means stairs. And then he smiled. "Ask for Mirador San Nicolas."

"Mirador San Nicolas," I parroted. "Okay. Straight, left, stairs." I smiled. "Muchas gracias."

"De nada," he nodded and resumed waiting quietly by the street. We girls continued our journey. I was pitifully hiding a giddy grin.

"Muslim lady in hijab is easily recognizable. I like it best when we meet people by the road and give salam to each other," I smiled to Umair walking closest to me.

Felt so loved, don't you agree? Walk anywhere on this earth and meet different people and despite differing in races and nationalities, the one thing that makes us family is our one and only faith in Allah.

"He's got the sujud mark on his forehead," Umair piped out.

"Yup. He's very handsome." The giddy grin broke out.

"Yes." Umair was using her tone reserved for apprehending a sengal me. "And he's got the sujud mark on his forehead as well."

"I said he's handsome after considering every aspect." Most importantly he had the decency to greet a fellow Muslim when he recognizes one. He was also older and easy on the eye- I slapped myself.

We climbed the steps with happy thoughts.

Shopping is A Domestic Skill All Ladies Should Perfect

My travel mates really love shopping.

Being in Spain where Zara originated, high-branded outlets on sale at every turn of the head, and our accommodations being just next to MANGO, H&M, Bershka, Blanco, Sfera among others, you guess where they start running to once the leash was off. We went to six cities altogether and at all six cities, there was always time allocated for shopping!

I usually spend my time during that free moment in our self-tailored itinerary by walking through maze of alleys, staring at the blue sky, saying hi to older people and dogs and the occasional poking my head through cafes. My motto was pass through, take pictures, have fun. I had no intention of buying beautiful Bershka leather jacket for €30 or Stradivarius handbags for €10 each. (ayat penyedap hati, lol)

But then I went inside Pull&Bear and saw that their t-shirts started from as cheap as €2 and their bootcut denims started from €4. Went inside Zara and saw the perfect blouse and matching cardigan for mom..

I picked them all up and walked to the counter. Now I understood what took the girls by storm.

Mama, I had bought Raya shirts for the family. You can relocate papa's budget for my keropok Masjid Aman charity drive.

My hunt for a backpack brought me to El Corte Ingles and there was my baby waiting for me on the rack. A Deuter ACT Lite 35+10 in cranberry fire colour tagged €80. Two years ago I bought for Along a £60 lime green Futura and comparing it to this €80 new best friend of mine, I'd be a fool if I didn't buy it then!

Of course, a bigger fool if I didn't use it. Now I own an excellent hiking/trekking backpack. I have more than a valid reason to scale Switzerland again.

After we missed our bus to Cordoba and had to fork out €55 each for the next train ticket and then this Operation Bring The Deuter Home, I had to cut some of the money allocated for souvenirs, haha. I think I bought the less but was the most broke among us seven. Loser.

"After this, the seven of them will not be seen in City Stars, Costa nor even Justa."
Umair anak Sir Man

City Stars is a megamall shopping complex in Madinat Nasr, Cairo and it is way bigger than MidValley in Malaysia. A one-way taxi from my place cost at least LE20. Costa is the coffee joint we frequented and I like best their latte frap around LE20 (boring yeah, but I like. Shut up.) Justa on the other hand, is the cafeteria at our college where zombie-in-the-morning person like me go for brunch. Their cup of latte is LE3 and a beef burger with egg is LE5.50.

But then the next day I arrived in Egypt, us housemates went out for a reunion dinner at Kiwi.. So much for being tight on the budget, huhu.

A Case of Misplaced Audacity

7.45pm
We split for shopping and promised to meet back at the nearest tourist information kiosk at 9.20pm before heading together to Plaza de la Merced. I went hunting for a backpack.

8.00pm
End up at the end of the road, there's a tourist info kiosk at the corner of the square. Apparently I had found our meeting point. Went back hunting.

8.50pm
No luck. Most shops are closing and drunk Spaniards messing around club-hopping. Made my way to the meeting point.

9.00pm
At the meeting point. Was 20 minutes early and got bored. Studied the Malaga map on the kiosk board and realized a grave mistake. I was not at our designated meeting point; I was at Plaza de la Merced already.

Memorized the map and scurried back inside the maze of an alley to find the other tourist info kiosk.

9.15pm
I couldn't find it. I decided it was best to stay put somewhere open and relatively safe (the Plaza) rather than walking around alone in the dimly-lit alleys of Malaga. The girls will come to the Plaza sooner or later and I was sure they would trust me to be safe and not worry about me.

Somehow.

Walked past a kebab joint and saw a group of guys eating outside it. Saw the face of a Malaysian. Raised an eyebrow and walked past them to take a seat in the middle of the square.

Crossed my legs and counted the minute till the girls reach the plaza.

A guy approached. "Macam kenal."

"Eh. Fayyadh!"

9.26pm
He had to return to his friends eating at the joint. Thank you and God for the 11 minutes of company, haven't seen him in three years and suddenly the Beijing guy and the Cairo girl met up in Malaga instead.

"Kau baik-baik tau, dah la sorang.." Yeah, I felt like kicking myself, too.

There was a couple drinking with their friend on the bench next to me and people kept walking past me towards a club just beside the kebab joint. Dogs unleashed walking with their masters and boy, it was cold and boring. I couldn't take out my iPod for fear of attracting more attention.

Sorely stood out being the only one sitting alone waiting at the square.

Turned around every few minutes and saw that the guys were still at the joint. Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid, haha.

9.43pm
The guys left. I prayed the girls will hurry up and get here already..

9.58pm
Saw the guys coming out from an alley into the other side of the road, walking towards where Fayyadh said they parked their cars.

10.00pm
I would wait till 10.30pm, if not I would go back to the hotel. I would go through the main roads so everything should be fine, insya-Allah.

10.04pm
Saw the girls at the far corner of the plaza. Stood up and steadily walked towards them.

Sarah turned and saw me. She alerted the others. She ran towards me with her arms open.

I broke into a run.

Saya Semakin Tidak Mendapat Simpati Masyarakat

Malam. Suasana lengang tiada penduduk lain di sekitar. Jalan sedikit curam dan berbukit ke bawah. "Jom lumba lari." Dan saya pun berlari.

"Jatuh kang. Dah la kasut londeh," Umair komen dari belakang mengingatkan pada kasut berlari Nike ini yang dirasakan semakin longgar. Kosa kata Bahasa Melayu saya semakin lemah, sebab itulah tersalah guna istilah ketika merungut petang tersebut.

"Jatuh golek-golek karang kitorang gelak. Amik video hantar ke PERUBATAN. Budak buas di Cordoba kami kena jaga," Sarah menambah. Saya berhenti berlari kerana menahan perut ketawa.

"Pastu tag Dinmat. Wartawan PERUBATAN terjatuh bergulingan di Cordoba."

"Tag Abang ***. Ni ha adik kau buas sangat," Umair memberi cadangan.

-__-"

---

Bas ke Granada bertolak tepat pada masanya. Ketepatan warga Sepanyol sangat dikagumi. Kami membaca doa naik kenderaan dan saya menarik nafas lega. Biskut McVities dikeluarkan seraya dikunyah menggantikan glucose yang habis berkat berlari dan risau tertinggal bas tadi.

Kami melepasi bukit kecil di sebelah kiri dengan hijau lapang kemas dipotong dan rumah kayu di puncaknya.

"Cantiknya hijau dia. Mesti Atiqah suka," ujar Sarah di tempat duduk sebelah tingkap.

Biskut masih dikemam maka saya hanya mampu mengangguk penuh semangat sambil membuat bunyi ganjil tanda setuju yang amat.

"Atiqah jadi biri-biri pastu kita amik gambar," sambung Sarah penuh ceria.

-__-"

You Don't Have To Be Friendly To Be Kind

Bapak aihh pendek sampai kena jengket (-_-')

I approached the reception. "Hi, evening. I want to check in for the reservation under (full name), please."

The guy behind the counter nodded. We didn't get as boisterous reception as that by Andreu in Madrid.

"These are your room keys. I'll work on these passports and you can come back for it in half an hour."

"Okay then. See you in a bit."

---

A good hour later, I went down to the lobby. "Hola. I'm here for our passports."

"I'm very sorry but I'm not done yet. I have a lot other works to do." He turned in his chair towards the other computer and reached for the passports.

"That's okay," I flipped open my notepad.

"You are from Malaysia, right?"

"Yes, we all are."

"I like Malaysians. Malaysians are nice people. They come here a lot, in groups."

"Yeah, thanks. Spaniards are kind too."

"But I really don't like Malaysian passport."

"Eh? Why?"

"Because my computer doesn't read this passport. I don't know why. So it takes time and I have to do things.." He paused; searching for the word.

"Manually," I offered.

"Yes. But I like Malaysians very much."

"Thanks. Have you been to Malaysia?"

"No. But maybe some other time. They said it is cheap over there."

"Compared to here, yes Malaysia is cheaper."

"Once I have the time and money." He paused. "I need more time than money."

I laughed.

"I heard it's 1500 for the air ticket. And the rest is cheap, the food.." He trailed off.

Are we talking euro? My mind registered Egyptian pound. #fail "Yeah, probably. Somewhere around that number."

---

He doesn't look convinced.

"We actually came from Egypt. We study there."

"There's a lot Malaysians studying in Morocco and Egypt."

"Yeah." I don't like being labelled common but what else can I do? Lol.

"So how is Egypt now?"

I am screwed, I haven't been following the news nowadays. "So far is stable and safe. They try not to involve us foreigners with their demonstrations."

"Okay. How is the condition there?"

"It's better with the new parliament. They're trying to do things better this time."

"But the military is still in power."

"Yeah, but the parliament will hold up."

"They ousted Mubarak but the dictator still remains."

"And they will be okay. They're working towards it."

"The Egyptians really are trying to change."

"Yes. God help them."

---

"So what's your name?"

"Pablo."

"Hi Pablo. My name is Atiqah."

"Atika? That's a nice name."

"Thanks. Pablo is a nice name too."

"Atika.." he mumbled as he typed whatever he was typing. "Nice name."

I reached for a complimentary candy. He resumed typing.

"Siti Nurul is the name or surname?"

"Siti Nurul Suhaila is the name. You can put Binti and everything behind it as surname."

"You have a lot of names," Pablo appeared to be whining. "Mohd is short for Muhammad, si?"

"Yes. Binti means 'the daughter of'."

"Oh." He seemed to be having an epiphany. "I see. So Bin means 'the son of'."

"Correct."

---

Pablo was telling me the history of Mezquita while processing our registration. I think I was holding him up, but he didn't seem to mind :)

"So why is it still called Mezquita?"

"Because it's a meszquita," he answered matter-of-factly. "But you can't pray there." He made the gestures for takbir. "If you try to pray there, the guards will stop you."

"Yea, so I've heard.." Downcast look.

"It's not nice, but it's true."

"Eh?" I was surprised. Do we have a sympathetic non-Muslim here?

He eyed me and repeated.

I smiled.

---

"I think the Mezquita is the most famous mezquita in the whole world. Everyone comes here to see it."

"It is very famous. You don't have Cordoba without it."

"It is the number one mezquita in the world, am I right?"

"Not really. The number one will be Mecca and in Madinah."

"Mecca?" He repeated. "Mecca is a mezquita?"

"Yup."

Oh. Should have told him about Al-Aqsa as well.

---

"So what time does it opens?"

"It's open at 8.30-10.30 in the morning and the admission is free."

Oh, I thought Umair said we needed to pay for entrance.

"But there will be a mass for the Catholic at that time. You can go watch if you want."

"Oh." Deadpanned. "Alright."

"From 11 onwards is for the general admission. You have to pay €8 for entrance."

"O-kay."

"That money you will pay to the Catholic church," he emphasized on the last two words. "It is important that you know that you will be paying to the church."

I nodded slowly.

"Because the Mezquita is the Catholic's now."

Someone just flipped on the sad switch.

---

Pablo processed only two passports and gave me back the other five.

"Okay. Now I need these two to come down and sign this receipt."

"That's me, I can sign it now." I pointed at the first receipt.

"Oh, Nur Atiqah. I'm lucky your passport was the first one."

"You're very lucky." I signed. "I'll tell Suhaila to come down after this."

"Okay."

"Is it okay? Just two passports? Or you will need the other five back after this?"

"No it's okay!" He rushed.

I laughed. "More work for you, eh?"

"It's more hard work for me, si. Two is enough. This is just for formalities. It's okay, as long as you don't have problem with the police." He smiled.

"No we won't. We're good girls." I stacked the passports. There was something weirdly untruthful about that sentence. "Okay Pablo, see you after this. Have a good night."

"Okay, you too."

---

"Hola Pablo."

"Hola Atika."

"We're going out. Here's the keys."

"Gracias." He sent us off with a smile.

"De nada."