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Wednesday 22 April 2015

The Kindness of Strangers

So, I accidentally left my backpack on a train back to York a few weeks ago. Yes, the very backpack that I brought to my trip to Bosnia and Croatia during Easter break. Well, it was entirely my fault honestly, for carelessly falling asleep on the train (I was tired) and almost missed my station. The moment I woke up, the train has already arrived at York, so I kinda got panicked and got straight off the train. Yes. You read that right. I went straight off the train without taking my backpack with me. When I was walking towards the bus stop that I realized.. "Why does it feel so.. light? I have my handbag already but.." A few seconds after that that I snapped! !$^*&$@! I have left my backpack on the train! And to make tings worse, that train terminates at Inverness, Scotland. Ha ha ha! It was so not funny! Usually East Coast train terminates at York but this time around they decided to terminate at Inverness. Like can you imagine thattt? Inverness is so far away, how on earth am I supposed to get the bag? But thank god I have all of my important stuff in my handbag like my passport, purse etc. Thank you god. Really. *sujud syukur instantly* hihi

The only thing that was important in that backpack was my spectacles (only rabun people will know how rabun people feel). I feel so so awful when I remembered how I put it in the backpack the night before. Previously, I have always had it in handbag, just in case of emergency. BUT the night before the unfortunate event, I suddenly decided to put the them in the backpack instead. Like I don't know why I did that urgh. But whatever, things happened and of course I panicked. I called every lost property number that I could but it was just going round in circle. I called lost property of East Coast and they told me to call Scotrail's and Scotrail told me to call Inverness station but I couldn't get through the line and I called Scotrail again and they told me to call East Coast and I called East Coast and they told me to call Scotrail and things just went on like that for like five hours.. Yes, I tried to reach them for hours and non seemed to work. Then when I found out that the actual chance of getting back the bag is very thin, I cried. I rarely cried but maybe because it was that time of month, so just excuse me. I have my favorite clothes, my every day makeups, my set of skincare in that bag, not to mention souvenirs from the trip! And thinking that I have to buy everything again sucks. You know how expensive skincare and makeups are. 

So I decided to ask help from friends but you see, there are no Malaysians living in Inverness not as far as I know. So I was kinda willing to pay anyone all the train fares as long as they want to help to go to Inverness and get the bag. And finally, one of my friend found a couple who are more than willing to go to Inverness to retrieve the bag. They even went there all the way from Aberdeen the very next morning. I was so speechless when they managed to find the bag without any hassle at all. All praise to Him. They even posted out the bag back to York without asking me to pay for the postage fee (which usually would cost around £20 since the bag was 7kg) I was completely amazed by their kindness. I couldn't ask for anything else but for Allah SWT to always keep them both in His protection. Kak Farida even slipped a couple of souvenirs from Scotland into my bag. Likeee, it was supposed to be ME who should be doing all that and yet, haih, I just couldn't find words to describe their kindness. I think it's one of the kindest thing that strangers ever did for me. Thank you. Really. I pray that He will repay your kindness with lots of prosperity and happiness in the world and hereafter. Amin. :)


p/s: never ever sleep on train

p/s/s: never

p/s/s/s: ever

Saturday 11 April 2015

Travelogue | Croatia Part II

This part of entry is for pictures, just pictures :)

Split/Zadar


Plitvice 


Dubrovnik

Travelogue | Croatia Part I

During the trip to Croatia and Bosnia, I encountered quite a lot of first time experience. For example, when we first arrived in Zagreb airport for a transit, both Fiza and I were asked to remove our hijab when we were being checked at the security control. Since it was my first time, I honestly didn't really feel comfortable about it. Another first time experience would be being stared by the locals just because of our hijab. Again, it was uncomfortable but we had to ignore them (it's not like I can go scream and yell at them or whatever).


But despite all those things, I did find Croatia mesmerizing especially its national park. Plitvice Lakes National Park was so beautiful! My breath was taken away at the sight of the clear light green turquoise lakes shimmering in the presence of sunlight on its surface, watching the trees cast their reflections and hearing the sounds of water tumbling on the rocks. It was serene, calming, inviting and welcoming. Darn, I can't explain it with words (although I just did). You really have to go and see it with your own eyes. You. Have. To.


As for other cities, Dubrovnik needs to be on your list if you're planning to go to Croatia. Its Old Town is surrounded by Dubrovnik Walls (entrance fee is 100 kunas) which was built during the 12th to 17th centuries according to, well, wikipedia haha. And if you're a fan of Games of Thrones, you should know that Kings Landing was filmed here in the Dubrovnik's Old Town. Ilham was ecstatic to finally 'conquered' Kings Landing and I was like okay, I'm not a fan of GoT but okayy. Hehe. 


But all in all, I enjoyed Croatia as much as I did in Bosnia. And oh, the fee to enter Plitvice Lakes National Park varies according to months. I think the most expensive time to visit is during August/September (I think it's almost triple the price in March) since it's autumn and the park is the most beautiful at that time of year. Buttt good news is that you can use your student card and get a cheaper price. Hope that makes you feel a lot better :p

Tuesday 7 April 2015

Bosnia & Herzegovina Part II

This part of entry is for pictures, just pictures. :)

Sarajevo



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