I'm currently flying above the Syria/Afghanistan region. It seems like something awful always happens the week before I fly home. Last year it was MH17, this year Paris. So Ash and I were a tiny bit nervous about flying but we're OK.
Last night we had lots of fun laughing and chilling out. It was a great last night in England. Then we tried to sleep, it took us a while! I hate the night before a flight because you're always thinking about what you have to do or what's in your case. I think in the end I got about 5 hours which was alright.
This morning Shannon drove us to the airport and London gave us a great send off by making us walk from the (open!) drop off point in the pouring rain. Love you too, England!
We checked in all ok. I think I had one too many hand luggage bags but they let me on all ok :) We were really lucky as we are in the middle row that only has three seats so has a big space. We managed to score an entire overhead locker to ourselves and it's really easy to get up and walk around. The flight is half empty which is weird, so a lot of people are sleeping across multiple seats. The service has been pretty average to be honest and we're both a little disappointed with Qatar. Especially as we have six hours in Qatar and have to buy food, which is their fault not ours as they cancelled our initial flight that would have seen us only have two hours.
So far I've gotten a tiny bit of sleep, but I've mainly just been resting. I've watched a movie and am now on my second one. Ash and I have also walked around and explored, then we did some dancing/aerobics at the back of the plane. We caught the hosties laughing at us!! Getting the blood flowing and all that.
So, time to reflect. I've just typed up the London list I completed last week because a number of people want to use it themselves, and it got me thinking of all the wonderful things I've done this year.
I have had the most incredible year, and I'm so grateful that my life up until this point allowed me to live life this way this year. There are people 40,000 feet below us living in a war zone at the moment, and I am very lucky to come from a country where I have the opportunity to live freely and work, and save up to spend my money on whatever I choose. I'm particularly grateful to my parents who have helped me out when needed, who always support me and who despite the fact it means I come home not being able to move out are happy that I travel to learn about myself and the world.
For those of you who read regularly, you know of all the amazing experiences I've had this year. People this week kept asking me what my favourite place, favourite country, favourite experience this year was. But I can't really answer that! The whole year has been absolutely amazing and each and every experience (even the negative ones like being attacked in the street in Bolivia, altitude sickness, rude people in various places, night kayaking etc) have all helped me learn and are part of the experience.
So what I thought I might do is name my favourite experience in each country, so here goes!!
Chile: Being shown around by Elena
Peru: The Inca Trail and Colca Canyon (despite the agonising altitude sickness!)
Bolivia: The Uyuni Salt Flats
Argentina: Buenos Aires (everything about it!!)
Uruguay: Colonia and it's pastel buildings, bike riding in Montevideo
Brazil: Hang gliding over Rio de Janeiro
England: Everything - from the friends I made to the work experience I gained. Also loved York in particular.
Ireland: St Patrick's day and the friends I made whilst I was there for it, so much fun!
France: Chateau Chenonceau and commemorating the 100th Anzac anniversary
Luxembourg: The unexpected beauty, I didn't know anything about it before I arrived.
Belgium: Beer, waffles, BRUGES! Menin Gate.
Iceland: Going inside a volcano
Northern Ireland: Giant's Causeway and the black cab tour of Belfast
Scotland: Oban <3
Wales: Snowdonia
Croatia: Swimming at the cliff top beaches of Dubrovnik
Germany: Oktoberfest (minus camping in -2 degrees and getting a six week cough)
Latvia: NOT night kayaking!! Beautiful autumn leaves in the canals
Lithuania: Trakai Castle
Now it's 7pm in Doha and I'm sitting at the airport. Our plane arrived early and due to having a 6.5 hour layover so we now qualify for a free visa and three hour tour of Doha in Qatar. Bonus!! I did a very short one in 2010 but this one has stops. Then we only have one hour before boarding for Melbs.
Only thing I hate is that I forgot how men here stare at women. It's pervy and disgusting and I'm wearing clothes covering me head to toe. A man just walked past me taking pictures of me very obviously and I called him out on it. I don't put up with that mysoginistic crap anymore. It was literally 30 seconds of him taking about 10 photos of me standing reading a board. Thought you would be proud, Pa.
I'll post another blog after being home a couple of days with photos of Doha. Probably sooner because it's unlikely I'll be able to sleep when I get home!!!
Love to all from Qatar
Claire
Xoxox
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