Seven minutes

Seven minutes doesn't seem like such a long time, does it? I didn't think so, either, but apparently it is to Tiger Airways. I missed my very first flight ever (out of 20 flights in the last 10 months and many dozens of flights in years prior) trying to get to Melbourne from Sydney. Check-in closes 45 minutes ahead of the flight with Tiger; it seems to me that most other airlines close a half-hour ahead of time. I'd like to blame slow trains or long lines or even Tiger, but the reality is that I just didn't plan very well. I have no one to blame but myself - I made a stupid, newbie mistake in not allowing enough time to get to the airport and I should know better after all this time. Although. Part of me also says "come on! seven minutes?! an exception? please?" Particularly since as I was sitting at the gate, there were multiple calls for five other passengers who weren't on the flight yet while I was sitting there, waiting, ready to board a flight! Grrr.

It's not really that big a deal. I booked myself on the 7pm flight instead of the 4:35pm flight (although the $70 fee I had to pay is about the same amount of the original flight, so that sucks). So why was I in tears as I walked toward my gate (and no, I'm not PMSing)? I was in tears because I want to go home. And instead of being stuck in the airport as I head home, I'm going to Melbourne. Where it's cold. And I'm kind of tired of traveling. Plus, I got used to having a travel buddy in the last month and I'm back to being alone again.

BUT! I will be okay. I've suffered homesickness before and I won't let it stop me this time either. Besides, I may not ever have another chance to visit Melbourne and I'm already here so I HAVE to forge on to New Zealand. I finally got into Melbourne around 10:30pm or so and I'm having Tim Tams (my new addiction!) for dinner. The picture below relates to nothing at all, but I like it and wanted to share it. :-)

(My last night in Sydney was spent writing postcards with chocolate and a glass of wine close at hand.)