I thought id never get here.
That 15 hour flight was a doozy. Especially when the seat belt sign stayed on for the majority of it. I think in all, it was off for about half an hour. Luckily though i didn't get a weirdo as my sister suggested I would. Nice guy my age who was not a arm rest hogger. (Always a must have for a plane seat neighbour) but he lost serious points about halfway through the flight when I ended up with water all down my front. Had a skirt on over leggings and a shirt long enough to be a dress so wasn't too fussed when i quickly ran to the plane loo to change out of it. See those things are not only in movies. I HAVE that kinda ridiculous bad luck sometimes. Lucked out on the no weirdo to ssit next to who talks to himself instead the normal neighbour causes drink spillage (gotta say alot of it was my fault but I have no idea what this kids name was so he ain't going to defend himself to strongly)
So arrived at Abu Dhabi screaming to get off the plane. not literally ofcourse, the attendants didnt have to restrain me or anything. I could just no longer feel my butt. Never a good feeling.
Abu Dhabi, even though I only saw it in its 'midnight to 2am' form, around the airport, was pretty interesting. Firstly, I didn't have time to change back into the skirt which was pretty much dry now. So here I was around people with BURKAs (so you can only see their eyes) embarrassingly hiding my legs with my bags. Luckily there was door just outside the screening room, (Just incase I was hiding any swine flu on me) so I changed back into slightly less inappropriate attire. Also manage to brush my teeth and give my face a wash which was sooooooo worth it despite the looks the ladies in the bathroom gave me.
The rest of my trip through the airport was quite eventful considering that it was about half past twelve in the morning. I continued to get funny looks which I now realise was because a young girl my age doesn't travel without a shaperone. "who is this weirdo". My dark hair doesn't help. the blonde girl infront of me just got the "meh westerner" lookover whereas mine was a bit longer. I walked the entire 20 minute long trek from the middle of the airport to my terminal. It is one looooong airport. Pretty sweet though. I decided to screw the looks cause this place was way too interesting. They get my vote for the prettiest tarmac lights.
So my second half of the flight was much shorter thankfully and also I managed to score an empty seat next to me. Was divine! Truelly great! I actually spread out slightly and slept! I was awake though to see some areas I never thought id go near pass by. We flew over beruit and the gaza strip was visible in the distance. YOu could tell even at night from way high up that its a totally different place. Usually when you see a city high up aerial view its a squarish maze of whitish colours maybe a yellowish tint. Here it looked like burning coals scattered across the desert. (i KNOW very descriptive but i honestly thought that. It was the only way to describe it) Might not have sounded that exciting but it was pretty interesting when you've been travelling for over 20 hours.
Landing in Munich it was now time to find my way to Augsburg! And I got there no problems. Hah! This is jet-lagged Elena we are talking about. This ofcourse would be a comedy show. Firstly I thought I had lost my luggage. I'll save you the pain and tell you they brought all out but five which came out about ten minutes later. Mine was one of the five ofcourse. HEARTATTACK!
Then I had lots of fun with the german language. I managed to find where the "zug" was, make the customs man laugh and make the declaration dude give me a sympathetic smile. I was early by the time I had gotten to the 'zug' platform, having located atm card, having to remember the numbers of my pin cause they dont do letters, bying ticket to augsburg and the finding the platform, all with the help of friendly standers-by. Nice man told me to get on a train which I did, only to find the one he stopped me on would have been way faster. Oh well. I got to see some sights of Munich. I eventually made my way to the Augsburg Hauptbahnhoft only to find that my number for Tiina who would be meeting me there wasn't working. Oh well, I was early I'll just wait out the front. AS time went on I started a bit of 'Oh no' thinking, foreign country, alone, no idea where the hell i am or where Im staying.... when i realised I had dialed a 9 instead of a 6. Contacted Tiina and then met her in 4 minutes and went through a stoll of Augsburg to Tiinas apartment.
May I just say Augsburg rocks. Seriously love it. Everything has such a nice feel. Its such a big place yet everthing feels small town. Its so European and beautiful. Tiina has nonchalantly lead me down alleys,streets and parks I want to stop and take pictures at. So, I had a shower as soon as I got the apartment. Anyone who has spent over a day travelling will get why i found that so important. Then Tiina and I headed of to get a bite to eat. Sat in the middle of town by this fountain which I think is of Posiedon or Neptune, Triton whatever...one of those... anyway it was sooo beautiful. Then we headed of to see the course. Here's the bit that will make you laugh. Tiina suggested we bike it. No worries right? Its germany. Its the done thing. Firstly my feet couldn't fit the pedals when I sat on the seat. IM THAT SHORT.I kept trying to jump up onto the seat but couldn't get my feet on the peddals quick enough and would just jump down again. Tiina had to go to the shop next store to get the seat put down. Then once that was sorted.... I could still not get on the damn thing! Im sure half the town of Augsburg, in the main street, who saw me falling over time and again, trying to get started, had a laugh. Eventually took off and I can safely say i've never been more scared in my life. And not just for my safety either. All in all I got to the course having only run into two poles and one wall. I now have a big lump appearing on my leg too. Haha. I am walking tomorrow. Course was great. WAlked up to the river´and lake which was beautiful too. Tiina has been soo lovely already. Took me to the shopping place on the way back. (H&M Katie). Didn't buy anything but i cannot wait to take a tour of this place. Its amazing. Cannot wait to explore! As I finish this the 5pm bells are going off which go for like 10 minutes! Tiinas place is right in town so its great! Perfect for exploring the place. Anyway I'll post some pictures later. Right now the jet lag has caught up with me and seeing as it is now a reasonable time. Close enough to 6pm I getting ready for bed! (Any bad mistakes this keyboard is crazy. Y and Z are switch around. ALso im way too tired to check it right now)
