Step 4 (and few others) – Getting there

Finally arrived the day I had to (or actually it was my mom) wash all my clothes and try to get them dry so I could pack them to my suitcase. I had just arrived from a compilation of a week in Norway hiking- one wedding party- one confirmation party- trip and had only 16 hours to pack my bags.

I had a nice precise list and had already been throwing the necessary things to my bag so I really managed to do it on time to catch the train to Helsinki. I guess my mom would have wanted to sit down with me for a moment to give some last minute advice, but there was no time for that. And when dropping me at the train station I remember she said: “I think you’ll be fine, you’ve got used to travelling and staying abroad by yourself.” It was really nice to hear, mom (I know my sisters are translating this to you!).

Me and my mom, there was only time for a golden old selfie

Anyway, I arrived to the city and spent the last night with my boyfriend in his (disgusting) shared flat (never going back there). His car had broken down so we had to take the buses and trains and instead of 30 minute drive it took us 2 hours to get there… You can guess I didn’t like it with two big baggages and three other bags. Luckily his brother gave us a lift next day to the airport.

Then at the airport the airport attendant at the check-in desk took my bags and checked them in, asked if I had the Visa for Australia and then, after a short moment: “Hm, it’s winter there isn’t it?” Well, YEAH I KNOW! It’s been the only few days one can call summer in Finland and exactly then I’m leaving to find a winter! I know!

My boyfriend needed some good advice but he did manage quite well taking this picture

The flights. My plan was to stay awake during the first one from Helsinki to London so I could then sleep as long as possible on the plane from London to the stop at Singapore. Well, I managed and actually did manage to get to the right place in London Heathrow as well (I hate their transfer systems). Then. I had a window seat. I needed to go to bathroom. The girl next to me was quite easy to try to get past, but the handsome young Aussie man on the aisle seat: he didn’t want to stand up to let me pass. So I repeated “Excuse me, excuse me…” and tried to climb over/ walk past him. But then. My something hit his face. SO embarrassing! Well, I said I was sorry and rushed towards the toilets. Did that really just happen?

Well, the next time he did stand up to let me pass. I guess he didn’t like it that much.

The things that really irritate me when flying are the expensive-as-hell water bottles sold at the airports, the continuous security checks (I encountered three; do I pack my things so spaciously that I can easily unpack them three times along the way?) and the fact that the meals are served whenever and if you sleep you’ll miss them. And be hungry for the next 24 hours, as my flight from London to Sydney took.

However: “We’ll now start landing to Sydney Kingsford Smith airport”.