Italy (Northern Exposure) - Day 0

11AM?!

My last-minute prep for the trip seems to be endangered by my reluctantness to climb out of bed.

The "casualty list" from JP included a waist pouch with a holder for a water bottle, wet tissues and 7D dried mangoes (best mangoes in the world - for the host family).

My luggage is now filled to the brim - how to bring stuff for everyone, I wonder...

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Ah Gong ain't around when I took my leave, so I only bidded farewell to mom this time.

Cabbing to school is definitely cheaper than cabbing to the airport - but even then, I have to drag my luggage to Central Library first, because I can't renew the books I have in hand.

In some way, its good because Fate let me bump into QZ - we went to the Graduate Division to submit some documents and then had a drink + a stick before we headed towards CFA.

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Yong Kiat and a few others were already there, the lorry also just reached only.

Within half an hour, we load the stuff up, and I have Yong Kiat as company on the lorry ride to Changi.

Last time round for the Thailand trip, it was me driving. Somehow this time round, it feels more comforting to be driven off.

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Miscellanous issues to be settled upon reaching the airport.

Most important - taking photos.


Our first (Italy) section photo (after countless attempts - most of the time, it's 60% or 80%)

There's always this fear-of-being-homesick feeling just before embarking on a long journey. I feel sicky and worn-out already while waiting to board. Anxiety? Excitement?


My neighbours

But then, the first part is the easy part. Transit is a tense, tiring wait - making sure that nothing goes wrong in this early part of the trip is essential I guess, especially in a foreign place.


Travellator


The waiting game

Finally, we lift off after midnight. And I knock out.

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Almost misses out on the inflight meal - luckily they still have extra. Ben sits out of this meal though - probably thinking of his beau in his extended dream(s)...

After makan, I become the willing/reluctant slave to the in-flight entertainment. Maybe I will only get a chance to take such a long-distance flight in my next life...


Sunlight peeking out of Darkness - Feels like I'm in the movie Armageddon/any other end-of-the-world disaster movie...



Are these the Alps?

Nothing very eventful happens onboard - erm, well, maybe there is.... but that's just it.

Day 1 shall start upon touch down in Mapensa.

Hopefully.

Out.

~ Ugly ~