day 36: the entertainer

From the beginning, we have assigned roles. I was the planner, and Jerrain the entertainer.

But in these 37 days, Jerrain has proven herself to be more than that. I could not have enjoyed myself more without her. If I had to do it all over again, I would definitely get her as my travel buddy.

Here are the reasons why:

1. 1. She carried my 15 kilogram backpack when I twisted my right foot.
2. She wakes up first every morning.
3. I am not the only and most blonde person around.
4. We can speak in languages no one can understand - mandarin, f-language, and blondish.
5. Unlike me, she can count.
6. Her watchful eyes never leave me when we are clubbing.
7. Despite being 'Legally Blonde', she thinks of the most ingenious ideas like pushing the train station trolley on to the streets of London so our shoulders need not hurt from our oversized backpacks.
8. She volunteered her scarf for us to lie on when we did not have a mat in the park.
9. She is a great drinker and an excellent party buddy.
10. We make the perfect pair of Asian hot chicks!
11. We can chat about events that happen 14 years ago because we go way back.
12. She really entertains.
13. She wears her heart on her sleeve.
14. I do not need to worry that she is bored (as long as she has her iPhone).
15. She lets me decide where to go.
16. Her contagious laughter tickles me every time.
17. She calls my name in the sweetest voice and tone.
18. Her advice about relationships is wise and often timely.
19. She brought me home.

The list can go on. I am thankful for having a friend I have known and kept in touch for more than a decade. I am really happy I could share my one month adventure with someone so special and close to my heart.

day 35: also oslo

I must be going gaga over the Kings card game because I cannot stop rhyming, which explains the title.

We left Bodo extremely early this morning at 6.50am after having breakfast. I had my last 'Chocolate Therapy' cookie and said goodbye to Oyvind, his lovely home, our new Norwegian friends, and all the food and snacks I tried and loved.

Jerrain and I were supposed to drop our luggage when we arrive in Oslo at 9am to explore the city. We were so exhausted that the hour long train ride into town seemed like too big a task for the day. We decided to take it easy and hang out at the airport for 12 hours! There was a row of comfortable couchettes, but sleeping on it for five hours straight left me with a very numb butt.

Since we were going to be in London for just 23 hours, we decided to stay at one of the airport hotels, Yotel. It is a cool mini hotel with cabins that could fit two people, but really just comfortable for one. Jerrain and I needed to stay on the bed just so we had sufficient
standing and moving space.

• Location: Oslo Norway and London Britain
• Cost: 68nok pasta at airport, 12nok crisps, 20nok hot chocolate, 35nok orange juice, €4.60 chicken salad sandwich and water, €30 chocolates from Thorntons, €20 tea, €8 M&S
• Highlight: It was not easy waiting at an airport for 12 hours, but having Jerrain with me made it a lot more bearable. I particularly enjoyed our HTH (heart-to-heart) chat - one of many throughout this trip - about what we learnt and experienced in the last 30 over days.

day 20.5: renaming the blonde

Among the four blonde sisters, Jerrain holds the title 'Legally Blonde'. Today, she deserves an additional one for outstanding and selfless service.

She normally whines - and ocassionally swears - about how heavy her bag is. Any where more than 100 metres and she starts to survey the area for a trolley.

We had the help of Magda from Tom & Greg hostel with my backpack to the Krakow Glowny train station, which was five to ten minutes walk away from the hostel (it was more like half an hour in my present condition).

But from the train platform to our train cabin, it was all Jerrain's effort. She carried both my 15 kilogram backpack and her 12 kilogram backpack at the same time along the platform (which was definitely more than 100 metres), and into our cabin!! For a petite 43 kilogram lass, that would easily make a Guiness World Record.

I will never see Jerrain in the same light again. For now, I cannot decide between 'Super-' or 'Wonder-' Blonde.

• Location: Vienna, Austria
• Train: Krakow Glowny to Vienna Meidling 8 hours

day 3: five minutes too late

Jerrain's heart stopped twice today. It was our first (and second) misadventure. It is a little early if you ask me, considering it is just day three.

We were five minutes too late for our bus to Coventry. Jerrain thought the guy behind the counter was pulling our legs. But no, he was as serious as the rest of Europe is about keeping time.

I, rather reluctantly, went to get us new tickets. Fortunately, there was another bus leaving in two hours, giving us time for some needed lunch to calm our nerves and replenish all that we have burnt from sprinting 400 metres with our 1.5 kilograms backpack.

Just as our heartbeat returned to a regular rhythm, we realised - fifteen minutes before departure - that the ticket was for one adult! Sounds 'drama-mama', but picture me running across the coach interchange to the ticket counter to snatch up the last seat left on the bus.

Serene, whom we were supposed to meet, was delayed in Toronto due to the volcanic ashes. Fortunately, her university friend, Nicholas, came to pick us up from the coach station. So, Jerrain and I are now safe in Coventry. Finally.

• Location: London & Coventry, Britain
• Cost: £6 bus, £4 mutton curry lunch, £18 last-minute coach ticket to Coventry
• Highlight: Missing a coach ride for the first time in my life
• Other activities for the day: Portobello Market, sent a few postcards, drinks at White Horse Lemington Spa

day 1: whispering our goodbyes

The big send off almost sent me off in tears. Here are a few personal thank yous:

1. Adele - picked me up and prayed for Jerrain and I
2. Jaso - picked me up and helped me with my bag
3. Thomas - made sure Jerrain got to the airport on time and safely
4. Siew Huey - prepared us for this trip by training our stamina at Mt Ophir
5. The Keith - tolerated all our quirkiness
6. Yvonne - took photos with her new camera S90
7. Alex - was the quiet listener during dinner
8. Pih - prayed for us and gave me bible reading guide and a lovely crystal cross necklace
9. Isabel- made sure I get my vitamins by supplying a few weeks worth of Redoxon
10. Jenn - gave Caleb (my iPhone) a new pink friend to hang out with
    
11. Jerry - introduced a resident mini miss shy into my bag
    

Big hug from Jerrain and I to all.

PS: Now why didn't anyone offered their credit card? That would have been a perfect farewell pressie!! :P

minus 2 months 19 days: get a travel buddy

Jerrain has been toying with the idea of joining me on this one month (37 days to be exact) Europe trip. But like any responsible and slightly workaholic Singaporean, the big question is whether she can take leave from work.

She finally popped the big question! I hope she made sure her boss was sitting down. And her boss said yes! *party poppers*

Those of you who were worrying about me travelling alone, I can hear you heave a huge sigh of relief. You probably do not know Jerrain that well. (Ok Jerrain, I'm just joking!)

To save you from the trouble of running a background check on her, let me give you a brief background. Jerrain - I prefer to call her Pey Pey - was my classmate in Dunman High. We were the nerdy duo for a year before we plunged into the darkest days of our secondary school lives, filled with Ferragamo belts, knee high socks, OshKosh raincoats, and liquid-papered Converse shoes.

minus 2 months 26 days: meet the experienced

Wai Hoong, a friend of Jerrain's, spent six months travelling around in Europe under an extremely small budget.

After checking out the amazing photos from his trip, I could not wait to hear all about it!

Over potato chips, blue cheese dip and wine, we - Jerrain, Wai Hoong, Alex and I - met at Garage Riverside point and chatted for three hours.

After two bottles of excellent German riesling, we came to a few (very wise) conclusions:

• It is always safe to travel on night trains.
• No matter how small your backpack is, you must bring a pair of heels.
• In any awkward situations, just high-pitch laugh yourself out of it.
• Always plan a day at a park after a crazy night.
• Leggings are great alternatives if there is no space for boots.
• No one will try to rob you.