Previously I have written about my happier experiences in Europe, but this time round I am revealing the un-glamorous side.
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| Just relaxing at our balcony room |
And it is not even the un-glamorous fact that I had so much fun in a bookstore in London and almost bought 4-5 books. Who goes all the way there and decide to visit a bookstore, anyway? *Nerd Alert~!*
This post may sound more like a rant than anything, so if you have somewhere else better to go, just go. But if you think Europe is some kind of rainbow farting unicorn place, it is time to read this post. I am sorry if anyone feel insulted in any way, I do not intend to insult or offend anyone but I sincerely wanted to share my experience. So, take this partially and objectively but don't take it to heart. :)
Firstly, I loved Paris. Before I went on this trip, I adore the Eiffel tower so much I had a cute Eiffel tower pic as my S4 wallpaper. And as I mentioned before, I did not partake in the planning section of our entire trip, but for Paris I had an itinery (surprising even for me). I was worried about my inability to speak French but my colleague assured me that since I am an Asian, they might give me some leniency. So I went on confidently with only knowing a few random phrases.
On our first stop, Gare du Nord station we got our first taste of being cheated. We couldn't find a ticket counter so we decided to purchase our tickets on the machine but we weren't too sure which tickets to get and the queue at the back just got longer. So, we decided to let those behind us use the machine first while we figure it out. At this moment, a young guy not in uniform but with a badge came over and spoke to us in proper English and insist on helping us buy the ticket. Nobody in the queue said anything and so we thought perhaps this is common and let him help us buy. But when we pluck in our card to pay, he said our travel card is not accepted in Paris and ask us to pull it out. Since we did not punch in the pin code, we thought the transaction hasn't been approved. He then pretended to use his card to purchase the ticket and ask us to pay him in cash. Afterwards, B kept telling me that he must have cheated us, but I told him he have little faith in humanity. But it turns out he shouldn't, we got cheated off
€60+.
But that's not too bad, afterwards we heard of more horror stories from fellow travelers we met along the way. Not in Paris though, most happened in Barcelona. Gosh, we must be real stupid!
The next few days in Paris wasn't so much of an improvement, though our bed and breakfast host was very friendly and helpful, everyone else just seemed cold and aloft. And the metro lines smelled like pee. :( But in their defense, I have a strong sense of smell. On the second day, I got kinda homesick and requested for asian food. At least I thought we would feel more welcome there but apparently even the asians look down on asians who do not speak French. When she greeted us in French, at least she was smiling but after we asked her if she speak English, we got the disgruntled sideway glances and then she furthermore complained about us in Cantonese to her spouse. Wtf?!?
I think it was on the second to third day that I started to feel more easily tired so I just felt like staying in bed till the day we leave Paris. From there onwards, my health just deteriorated. I began feeling feverish and tired and even started coughing. Few times, I've asked B to check my temperature with the back of his hand but I must have forgotten B always function at a slightly higher temperature than me so he told me it felt Ok.
On our last day in Paris, I was so happy that we were leaving. We went to a train station (I've forgotten what was the name because I felt so sick) and I was glad to see that they stuck a label that says 'Excellent English spoken here' or something along that line. But guess what? The man behind the counter won't speak to us in English but he knows what we wanted and what we needed. Pissed off yet? Well, I was! A traveler beside us tried to help us by translating but the first phrase she translated was, 'how much do you want?' and after our experience with the cheat earlier during the trip, I may have shot her a 'F off' look. They say looks kill, so she went away. I felt terrible inside but I was too tired to care. Because afterwards, it turned out I got worst. I began puking in the little plane to Barcelona. Thank God I was able to scramble into the toilet to do that or else I can die of shame now. Plus the air stewards were the most scariest bunch ever, not only are they big sized but they scold people too. From that moment on, I have started my countdown to the day I can go home.
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| Captured at 11.30pm in Barcelona |
When we reach Barcelona, I was too tired to walk properly or to stand still so B sent me to the hospital. We were told that because we were tourist, basic doctor consultation was
€270. B consented because we bought travel insurance beforehand so we went in. And because I was a tourist, they not only took my temperature (39 degrees C) but also sent me for chest X ray (in case of pneumonia) and blood test ( in case of infection). In total, my medical bill amounted to
€770+. They then told me I had viral infection but it hasn't escalated far enough for antiviral medication so they could only give me a prescription for 1g of paracetamol. *shake my head*
I kept crying and apologizing to B for getting sick and having to pay this huge amount of money and we didn't even have time to explore Barcelona! B was really gracious about it but I can't help feeling really depressed, resentful and upset. ( We are still in the midst of claiming the medical bill from our travel insurance... Sigh). I was also scared that I won't be allowed on board the cruise because of the viral infection, so I ninja'd my way in and then quarantine myself in my room.
When we started on our shore excursion adventure, I had started to feel better though I still cough sometimes. Our small shore excursion group consist of 4 couples, and in each group there will always be one annoying couple (if there isn't, we must be the one!). Since most of the couples are older people and also a woman who is pregnant, I thought we would graciously let them sit in the front of the van while we sat at the back of the van. My mistake. The moment we sat in the van, I smell a strong puke smell. I thought perhaps some car sickness dude had thrown up in the van and the driver had not cleaned it properly. I was wrong. For the next few days, I smelt that same horrible smell even though it was a different shore and we were in different vans with different drivers. I finally realized that the horrible smell came from the old man sitting right in front of me. When he opens his mouth, it smelt like thousand year old unwashed ashtray coupled with boozy puke. It was horrible and his voice has obviously turned hoarse from years of smoking. So for the next 3 days, we were stuck in the same seats behind this horrible smelling guy. When he talks, I had to choose between breathing through my nose and smelling the smell or breathing through the mouth and cough nonstop. I chose to hold my breath.
And it wasn't like he was trying to make it any easier for me!! When he slept off, he gave out silent but stinky farts!! God save us at the back!! *tears up at this memory* My goodness!! There was a nurse who was sitting at the back with us and she told us during her training she had to deal with cadavers, so she taught us to chew on STRONG minty gums to ward off the smell. lol... So, that was sorta how we survived all the road trips.
On the final day, the pregnant lady suggested a change of seats so we finally get a chance to sit at the front. I was so happy! I didn't even cough a sound! * so proud * Thankfully the trip back was short and she didn't smell the horrible smell.
But at least I've learnt my lesson from my travels. Like for example...
(1) Always keep minty gums close by
(2) Always bring a face mask, the kind people wear during a haze and not the beautiful italian face mask or beauty mask, ya~!
(3) ALWAYS buy travel insurance (I am not sure how useful it is la, since I haven't receive my refund yet)
(4) Always check your vaccination records before long trips. A lot of people do not have immunity against hep A, C, etc even though it is so important!! Not all places maintain the same level of cleanliness as where you come home, so take precaution!
(5) It is better to take a tour in Paris if you do not speak the language. But if you are akin to Bear Grylls of a traveler, ignore everything I say and just do what you like.
(6) ALWAYS pack Paracetamol!! ALWAYS!!
And Number 7! Because according to my dad, 7 symbolizes completion in Christianity.
(7) ALWAYS USE your hand sanitizer and don't just leave in the bag and forget its existence!!
