World News with Andy

In today's top story, I heard this funny tale about a Spanish minister who got into a bit of trouble over the weekend for dissing a public festival in Spain. It was either after a press conference or after parliament had 'closed' for the day, there were microphones that were still turned on - and this minister was heard saying how much he hated going to a certain festival that was held over the weekend because he had to make an appearance every year and it was a waste of time. O may be able to fill us all in on the rest of the details - that's if he actually watches the news over there! I think this minister dude may still be in trouble - and I'm not sure if he ended up going to that festival or not. I heard this on Monday morning during my 6am workout. I very rarely get to watch or hear any wacky news out of the ordinary, so it was a funny little doozy that I keep forgetting to blog about. I found it amusing. Could you imagine if something like that happened to George W? So many other embarrassing gaffs featuring him have been made public - I'm sure there may be some incidences like these that have taken place. To Australian-ise this, it's like if K Rudd was heard saying that he couldn't be bothered going to the ANZAC Day memorial - all the war veterans would be up in arms over it! But I have the feeling that the Spaniards may be just a little laid back with that sort of thing :)

I fell asleep at 9:30pm last night and still managed to get a great sleep. I even woke up 20 minutes before the alarm and chatted to the boy (That's right folks, I woke up at 5:30 and was so rested that I decided to go online! That is a rarity for me, especially seeing as I usually take advantage of the sleep if I do wake up early. It must still have been the positive repercussions of the previous day's 6am workout!) At 6 I went to the gym once more and spent 20 minutes on the treadmill. I rock! It was yet again another successful workout - with all my endorphins released out there, it was another fantastic day at work. Again, skin glowing, eyes with a healthy shine, a look of happiness on my face, people approaching me more easily...it was great.

Back to world news...I'm not sure how far this story got outside of Australia, but around a month ago a Melbourne backpacker who was travelling on her own for the most part went missing in Dubrovnik, Croatia under suspicious circumstances. She was last seen at a Spanish nightclub - the only nightclub in the area, drunk with some ppl that weren't from the local hostel. The Croatian police have not been keeping the family informed of what was happening - and the Australian feds are worse. Last week a body with missing limbs was found, but as the body was too decomposed, the feds from both nations said that it couldn't have been this girl's body, but after DNA tests, they discovered it was. The Australian feds had ordered the family not to speak to the media, as the Australian Feds were only concerned with keeping good relations with the Croatians. But the only way the family found out was through the media. Anyway, the Croatian police have said it was an accident, but everybody believes that foul play was involved and they are starting to investigate what happened. Anyway, this has been the headlining news for the past month and everybody is cautious about young women travelling alone. How do I fit in? Join the dots! Everybody knows I'm leaving and I've started mentioning it to customers that I'm going away in 18 days and the first thing they say is, "Don't go to Croatia", followed by "What is it with these young people who want to travel, what are they running away from?". No joke, I got that 6 times in 30 minutes this morning at work when I told customers I'm leaving! It's very cute that everyone is caring about me, but even though I am a seasoned traveller and am travelling on my own, I'm actually meeting ppl almost everywhere (maybe the only exceptions will be New York and Portugal). And even then, I'm quick at 'localising'. So I've been told to keep in touch through Facebook and all that!

Today I also started with the farewells. Mandy is leaving this evening for her 2 month voyage, so I won't see her til I get back to Australia. I also said farewell to one of the loyal customers who is going overseas and will return the day that I leave. I wouldn't be surprised if I bumped into her at the airport. My friend who used to work with Mum came by to wish me well (I was meant to catch up with him this weekend, but his best friend's dad died this morning and I think they are going to Jakarta for the funeral). I also said bye to one of the other girls who only works on weekends, so she came down to say bye. I think now it's setting in...just like last time, it was the farewells. Mandy got teary - and she's only gone for 2 months! Excitement factor building, but also the nostalgic factor.

Still have to get insurance, which is what I'll do now. I'm firstly doing a long haul flight with a carrier that has had quite a few incidents in these last couple of months. I know that I'll be fine, but it's good to have that backup if required. Tomorrow I can't do my 6am workout coz I have the early shift, so I'll have to either go to the gym in the evening or do a home workout. We'll see how it goes - as long as I get some huffy puffy happening! My friend Jeab and I are starting early and she is an absolute sweetheart. Can't wait - it's gonna be hard saying bye to ppl. And again it'll be sad when I leave the new ppl I've met. Double edged sword - I've been feeling that all week :) I'm gonna bum about. This is Andy signing off - see ya later!

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Golden opportunities are waiting for me everywhere.