And The Journey Begins..

Hello!

I'm back to tell you my Tunisia life. Yes, a year ago i got opportunity to spend 6 months internship in another part of world. Like Shakira said, It's time for Africa! So, welcome to Tunisia, North Africa! x)

On 20th of December, 2011, I took Turkish Airlines from Jakarta, Indonesia - Transit in Changi Airport, Singapore - Transit in Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey - Tunis International Airport, Tunisia.  Totally, 15 hours flight and i will arrive on 21th in Tunisia. Damn, tired ass! haha  The flight arrived in Turkey around 5.30 AM. Ataturk Airport is huge and large. Too bad my transit is just 4.5 hours and it's in early morning so i prefered to stay at airport waiting for next flight. First place i went is the surau, it is located on ground floor. You have to take lift beside Burger King and then you will find the surau. 

The surau has cupboard for putting shoes or bags. The floor for place of ablution made from ceramics in blue colour.  It also has the ceramic chair to sit while having ablution. When i chose clothes for praying, i realize all of them are just like usual cloth especially for the bottom cloth used for praying. The cloth has many colours so i just took one and did fajr pray. In Indonesia, we usually have same colour for up and bottom cloth. It is called one set praying cloth. Two girls inside surau were sleeping so i decided to sleep as well while my phone was being charged. 

Then, i went outside surau to go sightseeing at airport. Totally, Ataturk Airport is bigger and more luxurious. The Duty Free is like department store at mall, i think the price are more expensive. I kept walking while my eyes staring at airportless (not homeless) people sleeping at chair. They look tired, maybe they have transit as well. I set the time of my watch same with the big clock. This is important, cuz i don't want  to be mistaken for time difference. 

Airportless People at Ataturk Airport, Istanbul

I was searching for a good place to sit and probably, online. I want to be connected to internet. Unfortunately, i can't, cuz you must have the Turkey mobile number to connect to internet. Too bad. So i just spent my time watching people at the supermarket in front of me. Seems i'm hungry and wanna buy something but i don't have much money so i keep sit and doing nothing. My laptop battery is low and i need plug to charge. After walking along the coridor, i found nothing called as plug. Damn, no internet and no plug. Nice!

People are busy buying goods at supermarket

I moved to other chair. I decided just to observe people who come and go. All of them look like Western people, i think less Asian here. The woman beside me has baby and the baby was crying all the time. I don't think i can stand here. So, i decided to move again. Ah, there was a vintage telephone box at corner. It looks so vintage with red colour. I saw a couple took a picture at it. They smiled widely and looked happy. I went straight and found the information board of flights. I was looking for "Istanbul Airport to Tunis International Airport at 10.00 AM" but it wasn't there. Maybe it's too early? Usually, the notice came up 2 hours before flight for international departure. I asked to a lady, i think she is airport staff and she doesn't know about it. So i went back to the chair, there are more people are sleeping here. Cuz the chair are bigger and larger. In front of me, there was black and white guy. 

Vintage Telephone Box

I was day dreaming when suddenly saw my watch, 9:50 AM. Shit! I ran faster and came to wrong gate. The gate is 215 and it is at the middle of building not the back one like i thought. Yeah, the gate is quite far and i hope i still have time.

The entrance gate for my flight

Anyway, the plane to Tunis is different. It's kind an old plane, though. But it's okay. The chair colored in green and everyone seemed busy. This is 2.5 hour flight so my ass would stand for this journey. People speak in Arabic and the stewardess is totally Turkish woman. Of course, it's Turkish plane. xD~ 

I enjoyed my time with the instrumental radio and some meals. Unique meals that i haven't got before on flight. In the middle of sunny weather and noisy sound of plane, i smell the Tunisia ground. Can't wait x)

Flight meals: Butter and ..?

Tunisia, i'm coming! x)
Chandini