Nerin and FC’s Big Adventure : Part One

The journey really began when FC was deliberating whether or not to go to the land of Sun and Poison. Now, as a good boyfriend, could Nerin really let her A) go to such a monster filled place without protection or B) Not go at all because of lack of travel buddy. Of course not. So I slapped on some extreme sunblock, slapped some potent antidotes in my backpack and set off. On Friday the 12th i left the Wildlands and headed for the city.

Everyone seemed more worried about me packing or forgetting things, but once you realise you can’t bring weapons or chocolate, what else is there to pack other than t-shirts and jeans. Oh and sunblock. Lots of sunblock. I felt better once i got to FC’s house and realised she still hadn’t packed everything. Then i was kinda worried. She was supposed to be the leader on this one!

And you say these metal dragons take us places?

After waiting around the airport for what felt like forever, we popped our suitcases on the plane and were off to Gatwick. (Just a note: Ryanair only allow 15kgs in your suitcase, as opposed to Emirates who allow 20kgs. You need to realise how much a pain in the ass it is having to carry extra stuff in your hand luggage.) Once we landed in Gatwick and sorted our luggage (packing the extra 5kgs out of my backpack into suitcases) i bounded outside the terminal for a smoke. Outside i wondered, how will i cope for the 9 hours to Dubai without a cigarette? More importantly, how would FC cope with me trying to cope?!

Gatwick Airport

The Emirates plane was amazing, as was their entertainment system. Even if i did want to use my PSP, i could plug it and charge it via their USB. Theyve thought of nearly everything! I watched a ridiculous amount of films, many of them bad. After an uncomfortable amount of flight time (are we there yet are we there yet are we there yet look at all that sand are we there yet) we arrived in Dubai, 7AM, 31 Degrees.

Dubai

First act upon reaching Sweeping Sand Land? Running to the bathroom, changing clothes, brushing teeth, freshening up with wet wipes, staring at Dubai toilets. Yes. Dubai toilets are weird. The water comes nearly completely up to the rim. Its like you’re looking at a water feature instead of a toilet. That wasn’t the only beef i had with Dubai… The airport is impressive, i stress that. Everyone sounds so shocked when i say i didn’t like Dubai. But there were bad vibes in that place. Plus i was grouchy n’ growly (sorry FC).

I was experiencing some crazy bad vibes flying around, but screw that, theres a smoking room?! *At this point in our story Nerin runs in the direction the sign was pointing. I imagined, while walking like a drooling idiot towards the room, that it would be as awesome as the rest of the building. How wrong i was. The room is an open one, three sides are glass, other side is plain old wall. Inside there are NO vents and some park benches. FC was going to come in with me, but upon seeing a lot of Sheikh style guys looking grumpy in full Sheikh style guy clothing. Instead she opted to sit (where i could see her) and chill while i got me some Marlboro goodness.

Inside there was mostly Middle Eastern guys and a handful of Asian guys. Then she walked in. I saw her checking out the room from across the way. They saw her too. And then the bad vibes got bad vibeyer. She walked in carefully, slowly, and asked “Has anyone got a light?” in a British accent. The Middle Eastern guys looked the other way, the Asian guys didn’t seem to have any English. I flipped out my trusty lighter and started chatting to her,even though as she walked in i was prepared to retreat due to insane amounts of air cancer. But when the girl came in, travelling alone, and those vibes started flying, i felt i should stay. FC said two of the guys actually left the room in disgust. Bah. Anyway, with less than a loving Dubai mood, we headed to the plane. Australia time!

And boom, just like the movies, touchdown in Australia, 2am, temperature unknown.

After grabbing myself a carton of smokes, we made our way outside, where FCs sister was to meet us. No sister. But outside!!! Smoking time! I was feeling very happy and contented and wasn’t worried we had no lift. FC wasn’t sharing my feelings, and made some calls. Turns out sis had been napping to be fresh to pick us up, but napping had become heavy sleep. But no matter, we were there, it was adventure time.