So I came home a couple of days ago and I am still energetic and alert. I think most of my jet lag consumed itself. For the first time in many years, I’ve slept for 13 hours straight.
I’m in love.
With traveling and dreaming again. I want more than this, and I’m not just saying that because of that euphoria of different places and people (well, maybe a little). I was determined to make this year the one that sees life-turning changes and serious adventures. Instead, I signed up for more contracts and bought an apartment. It was my one adult thing to do. Unfortunately, I think I missed again. I don’t care about what others consider to be the milestone thing to do.
The remainder of my trip in the US was more of the same. Toronto was a little better. A friend suggested a Somali restaurant but I got lost and my appetite was gone by the time I got back to the hotel. Montreal was crazy as usual and I really wish people would drive in their own lanes. And three cars in two lanes just doesn’t work. It is a beautiful city and I hope to visit again midwinter when the snow fall is at its most heavenly.
I landed in Valencia less than 12 hours after spilling the contents of my HUGE tote bag in the Montreal airport. Taking off your shoes, turning in/on/off your laptop, exchanging looks of pure evil with Quebecois officers while jetlagged will make you do that. I must admit, I was pleased when a young, angular Eastern European guy jumped from his spot and helped me regain a tiny shred of my dignity.
Pens, a magazine, loads of paper, computer wires and what passes for make-up came tumbling out but my prince charming got on his hands and knees to collect them. Wonder if it was that superiorly stupid grin from fatigue that he had mistaken for a damsel in distress look. Whatever it was, I was grateful and thanked him profusely. I even offered him a piece of my lemon cake but he shook his head. Then he asked in a very endearing, Borat-like accent:
“What he want with you?”
“I’m sorry, who?” Said pathetic old me with cake crumbs on her face and red veins in her eyes.
“Him, him”, he points excitedly at a shortish officer with bizarre Julius Caesar bangs. “He stare at you long time, what he want?”.
It beat me. I didn’t know what he wanted and I also didn’t want to pollute this nice young guy’s mind with venom (I save it for my blog readers…tehe). I didn’t want to tell him that I emit an oppress-me, kick-me-down-a-flight-of-stairs, and then make-me-miss-my-flight scent. Only the officer became bored with my vacuous look and moved on to the next fellow scent emitter.
Happily, I had a wonderful time in both cities but nothing like the few hours I spent in Valencia. From the moment I stepped into the airport, I knew I would love this city. Colourful, happy, and very animated people were everywhere. Our client was gracious enough to arrange for pick-up for everyone, I could not lug anything at all. I was the only member of the team who risked a shorter stay in Montreal (and DVTs) to have a few more hours in Valencia.
More soon.
October 1, 2007 at 7:24 am
Sounds like you had a blast. Lmao at exchanging vicious looks with airport personnel. Most people try to be inconspicuous. Worst I had in Europe was ” This isn’t America lady!” Still puzzled as to y the airport officer said that to me. Get some rest you certainly deserve it.
October 1, 2007 at 6:06 pm
Well it is good to have you back. I am very gald that you have enjoyed your buzz trip. I am a govement employee and often travel a lot with the States and Canada. When i travel i wear sweats, a backback to carry my equipment and of course my scarf. Imagine comming the security check point like that, they always thing that i am up to no good specially because i also look real young like i am in my first year of high school. They but me through all the machines ever made and all the other travelers are like “oh, we have been saved today” keep strong girl one day we will get our country back and be mean to everyone else
October 1, 2007 at 11:43 pm
SD, strangely enough I do not feel so tired. The last leg of the trip was so much better than the first. I’ve given up on inconspicuous a long time ago, it has only marginal effect on irritating outcomes. That ‘this isn’t America’ BS I got once as well, followed by a snort and an eye roll. Okaaaay.
Native Daughter, thank you hon, it is good to be back. Business trips drain your life away, don’t they? Lol@sweats, backpack and scarf, that would definitely arouse suspicion among some of these useless employees. I totally hear you about other passengers and the huffs and puffs, like you want to be harassed or something. They’re all useless, the whole lot of them.
October 2, 2007 at 12:03 am
In love?
That line almost got me excited until I read the rest…hmph…and here I thought some Spanish boy seduced you….*rolls eyes*
October 2, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Awal shay,I’m so jealous that u have such a cool job that allows to travel and be independent, but u no what my sister lives in Toronto and from the way she talks about u’de think she’s living in hill, isn’t it amazing how ppl would love to travel some place but never live in it!!!!!!! Strange!!!!
Ps::I was soo touched about the guy who helped u with your bag,inshallah 2moro I’ll go to the mall and drop my bag on the floor(on purpose of course )loll..maybe I’ll meet some one that way,,,(talk about desperate)(laughs)
October 2, 2007 at 6:12 pm
lol @ endearing Borat accent…and he helped you out as well, how cool
Exchanging vicious looks with airport personel eh….I get that everytime I travel….I carry a racksack and usually have an abaya on….imagine the looks I get lool. For some reason though when I go through imigration I get all ATT…talk about a personaliy revamp (*whispers* ‘I’m not a schizo’)
October 2, 2007 at 9:40 pm
Now you sound like A. she keeps complaining that she gets treated “interestingly” at airports. She always says her name just screams “come and get me”. I personally think it’s her mouth: she will bite anyone’s head off with her words. Travelling with her this summer was very entertaining. I can’t say I have had any problems, but then again, I guess that white dirty-blond men are who they are focusing on. A sad shame, I say. If anyone was a threat I would say it’s usually the grumpy old white men and especially women who should be given a hard time, don’t you think?
So, how was the trip? I hope you enjoyed it overall.
By the way, A. and I are going to be in New York towards the end of October and she mentioned she is searching for a ballet show that you might watch together. So does this mean I get to meet you?
October 3, 2007 at 8:58 am
Lone Dreamer, lol I promise to let myself be seduced by the nearest male model-looking Spanish dude in my next trip.
Iman, kefik habibty and how is work? My job has its perks and traveling is one of them. I actually like Toronto very much, I find it civilized compared to where I live. Public transportation and spending on culture and arts are more important to me than 20 gas stations in one block. LOL @ dropping your stuff, don’t be dropping your things and risking fools stepping on them. Must admit, chivalry is not entirely dead.
Native, I can’t imagine what they would do to me if I wore an abaya, I get enough abuse as it is. I missed a flight some years ago because an immigration officer found an orange in my bag. He locked me up in a room and demanded that I go ahead and might as well eat it since I was going to spend some time there.
zegerman, I think A. and I and many others have similar experiences at airports. It doesn’t matter who or what you are, what IDs you are carrying and how long you’ve been anywhere, you are suspicious. I don’t know if anyone is a threat anymore given the security measures they have; unfortunately, bigotry is rampant and as always, absolute power corrupts absolutely. I fight back as much as I can but it wears you out after a while and you really are powerless if you want to make it to a business meeting. The latter part of the trip was fantastic and I will write more very soon. How cool that you and A. will be in New York! It would be fantastic to meet both of you and join you at a ballet provided I’m not in some hick town.
How is the fasting going? I look forward to reading about your overall experience with a first fast.
October 3, 2007 at 10:33 am
The milestone thing had my attention. I was planning on doing something mileston-ish to others and realised at the weekend that I just didn’t want it; not now anyway. So whatever to that. Live your life, Aya. Find a way to drop it all for a bit of extended travelling.
I’ve dropped Spain and am heading for Kenya, plotting to do a bit of travelling around AND kicking off a milestone of my very own whilst there!
October 4, 2007 at 6:24 am
Lone dreamer u always have a way with conspiracies,especially the kinda cons that i like.
Aya ,so u are back now?Am glad that u are.Aniga i don’t travel that much but i do cruise for a while.I have never encountered any problemo,infact,i get treated pretty well.Maybe its coz i was alot younger than i am now
but were i to go some where now,i can almost swear that my Mullah like beard is gonna give me big time problemoz 
They’ll be like,this dude got to be a taliban or their cousin atleast.lool.
Am glad that u are back.And yeah,eastern Europeans are cool,i know some Bosnians,i mean they are very good with their hands (they will pick pocket u while u are staring at them) and i also know some Ukrainians,tough but cool.There was this dude whose car i destroyed back in the day and when i brought it to him,he gave me another car to destroy,totally cool
Paradise,Gee since it has been 5 years now,i hear kenya ,especially Nairobi got a complete make up over thing.lool,i mean even in isich,i hear things are dazzling.Well,will wait for ur adventures about it.
What else did i wanna say tolow?Yeah,Aya,did u go crazy on anybody at the airport,i mean,no kicking and yelling?
October 6, 2007 at 5:53 am
Welcome back Aya and Ramadan Kareem! Come over to London me love, that’s where fun is – the rest is all cobblers!
Paradise, one wonders what that milestone would be! lol
October 6, 2007 at 12:21 pm
man i was all happy lol i thought u were in love…oh so it seems like u had fun on your trip huh? im glad! ramdaan karim
October 6, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Shafi, one can wonder all one likes. Let’s get a few of us together sometime after I return and I promise not to share this milestone.
October 6, 2007 at 9:10 pm
Aya, seems like you had an interesting few weeks. Glad the trip got better towards the end.
October 7, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Paradise, I’ve been wanting to drop it all for months now but just don’t know how. I think I’ve dug myself in deeper but a short trip would be really nice. How come you’ve dropped Spain?!! Good for you on kicking off a milestone and you better bloody share
CitizenTito, thanks walaal. I’m surprised you get no trouble when you travel, even with a beard. I don’t need a beard to get the ex-con treatment dammit
LOL @ your stories with Eastern Europeans, the Bosnian folks I lived near were amazing people, so generous and lively. I didn’t go crazy on anyone in the airports but I’ve perfected the 007 glare with a slight squint 
It says that you can oppress me but I won’t like it and I sure as shit don’t like you.
Shafi, welcome back to you and Ramadan Kareem (and Eid Mubarak). London is definitely on top of my list of places I have to visit over the next few months.
idil, sorry to disappoint hon LOL. I had loads of fun, thanks, and Ramadan Kareem (and Eid Mubarak) to you as well.
euhippus, thanks hon, it definitely got better and the last couple of days were jus great.
October 8, 2007 at 10:02 am
well done to the dude! i would have offered him food too:) keep the tails coming aya you have been missing my love
October 17, 2007 at 7:16 pm
Naima, thanks hon! I’m back, exasperated and all
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