Weng Gus and Platter Pus Go Travelling

I promise my blog posts will become shorter and more concise. I’ve been playing catch up as I’ve been busy and I’m also reflecting on those days a lot.

This morning was a nightmare. A few months ago I got an email from my airline making a change to my flight. Originally I was supposed to go Frankfurt to get a connecting to Cancun but they fucked up as I arrive in Frankfurt 10mins after the connecting flights takes off. So I was put on an earlier flight. So I thought.

I try self check in but it doesn’t work for some reason. So I go to the check in desk to do it the old fashioned way. Phew. I got my boarding pass. Oh wait its for the later flight! And my bag was been checked in and is on its way to the wrong plane!

I go back to the check in desk and ask wtf is going on. Turns out Condor didn’t change my flight details and I had to go to the ticket office to sort it out! I plead my case with the ticket person and she manages to get me on the correct flight. Only problem is my bags. They’re still on the way to the wrong plane! So I go back to the check in desk and get dealt with by a manager. He sorts it out for me so I get 2 boarding passes and he tries to stop my bag from getting on the other plane. Some guy from baggage comes up too. The manager transfers my bags on the system and hopes a baggage handler will get the request in time to change the plane.

So this is the situation I’m in now. I can fly to Cancun and everything goes smoothly and I get my bag. OR I get to Cancun and my bags are still in Heathrow because the bags don’t go on a plane if the passenger isn’t on board. I will only know that has happened if I have no bag in Mexico! I’m trying not to think about the worst case scenario. I’m sitting in Frankfurt waiting for my connecting flight and when I get there I’m gonna get my bag and meet nasty and we’re gonna trek around Mexico and Latin America. Right? RIGHT?!?

Soon last night I tried my best to get everything ready for my flight. Nas kept messaging me about stuff as he was flying out before me so I had to accommodate his requests for information. We made a reservation at our first hostel, only for 2 nights as we might go somewhere else for the famous Mexican Day of the Dead festival.

He had concerns about money. So did I as I misplaced my backup debit card. It means if my single and only debit card gets lost/stolen I won’t have any other way to get money out. But at the last minute I remembered about prepaid cash cards! You get a credit card loaded with cash and that can be used to pay or withdraw money! Genius! I’ll take two.

This evening my brother came round for dinner and gave me his spare iPod and multitool that I bought earlier in the week. Sorry work buddies, I loved your leaving gifts but I already had the items you got me!! I’m taking them nonetheless. Thanks guys.

I’m particularly grateful for the iPhone 3GS 32gb that my bro has lent me. It means I can have a mobile/smartphone device to use while I’m travelling so I don’t have to whip out my “look at me I’m rich” tablet and draw attention.

It will be put to much use and I hope it doesn’t get jacked. In fact, I have brought with me some particularly cheap gold chains so I can give to potential robbers so they may leave the rest of my belongings alone. I have these chains by pure accident as I have been trying to replace my grandmas gold chain since it was snatched. I have a brass medallion with KCCO stamped on it. Keep Calm Chive On. The Chive is a web community that I’m part of and wanna show my appreciation to them by having it round my neck. The Chive community are generous, honourable, loyal and charitable. I hope to bump into Chivers when I’m abroad.

I spent the day with a best bud, Julius. We watched Skyfall and we went round Westfield Stratford buying all my leftover items. Didn’t finish until 6pm! I was supposed be packing the entire day! It was sad seeing him leave. I know he wants to come out with me n Nas.

I was up until 2am packing and preparing my gadgets for the trip. I thought I was packing less but my backpack feels like weighs the same as last time!

5 t-shirts
2 shorts
Swimming shorts
6 boxers
4 pairs of socks
Standard bathroom toiletries
Flip flops
2 jeans (I’m wearing a pair now)
Rugged shirt
Mozzy net
Travel meds
Duct tape
2 pen knives
Solar charger
Camera + charger
Platters
10 packs of pocket tissues
100 facial wipes
Hydration pack

That’s in the back pack. While you think you’re prepared, most likely you’ll forget something. In my case: bog roll, string, my international banking number, umbrella, collapsable contact staff. I so desparately wanted to pack my summer matching pyjamas but I didn’t have any space. Damn.

So I’m now back dating posts as I’ve been so busy packing and getting ready for departure.

Yesterday I had my work leaving drinks, for the second time at the same company. It didn’t quite feel real as I’d done it before and it was nothing new. The same people saying they’ll miss me as well as new people too. I saw some old faces last night, past work mates who have become friends. It was very good seeing them as they were the old colleagues that I remember fondly of and really enjoyed my time working with them.

Shots were on table at my request (tequila my chosen poison), I mean I AM going to Mexico… suffice to say I got totally trashed. I managed to throw up, told a girl I had feelings for her and hardly chat to the people I really wanted to farewell to before I left. Damn tequila!

The last time I left I didn’t really get a chance to fully let go of work before starting the new job. I put it down to not giving myself enough time detach myself my from the company. This time I have even less time to “enjoy” not working as I’m thrust into travelling.

I feel sad knowing people are going to miss me but happy I’m actually gonna go on to experience better things. Unlike a new job where you dunno if things are gonna work out. Backpacking has been in my mind for ages and I KNOW its gonna be a laugh. This is what has driven me ever since I bought my ticket, knowing there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Apologies to everyone which I’ve duped for so long, but I live by the motto, you gotta do what you gotta do.

I’ve never really blogged before and this is all new to me. I will be using this device to express myself. Like an open diary of my thoughts and experiences. With some travel writing thrown in. And some of my quirky observations and humour.

Hope you are entertained