Well, running in the early mornings and on the treadmill isn't new to me but surely was during night time. And that's exactly what I did tonight. Yes, for the very first time I ran at night time and to tell you it was really a pleasant experience.
These days, I feel a day should have more than 24 hours, may be just by an hour. I'm not able to accommodate the running activity in my kinda-busy days. Fitting-in running in the early hours of the day is getting difficult because I've to get ready quite early for my office cab at 7:15am. I need at least 75 mins for warming-up, running and for stretching and getting up at 5:45m seems to be big task, and that too on regular basis :)
Coming back to tonight's run, I ran slowly for 4 kms in 25 mins. I had taken off since couple of days because my new Nike shoes hurt my shin, bit-old pair of shoes have the soles worn out and the very-old pair of shoes arn't comfortable anymore. Don't imagine now, I don't have a big rack for my shoes :) Anyways, I decided to repair my bit-old shoes and run today until I buy a new pair. The run was relaxing and was through a commercial area with many restaurants, shops etc and few traffic signals. Many people gave me second looks as running during night time isn't a common practice. Mistakenly I landed up at the wrong side of the road at a signal and hence got few not-so-happy gazes. My bad. However, that didn't affect the overall nice experience of running under the stars and with light breeze.
I think changing the running routine in this way might help everyone to stay motivated. Nice change was it and I'm gonna continue this for few more weeks.
The route:
I entered the DragonAir flight to HongKong in the wee hours of the morning eager to find my seat to catch some Z's. I was very tired because of the late hour packing and previous few days' hectic office hours. I placed my bag in the overhead cabin and took my aisle seat next to the empty window seat. I frowned with the very thought of getting up later to give way for the window passenger. I buckled up, closed my eyes and just as I was about to take a plunge in the dreamless slumber, a pretty gal came up and asked 'Is it your seat?'. Well, with no mood to over-think about this stupid question I replied 'What do you think?' And continued 'Is this your seat?' pointing towards the window seat. She replied positively and I followed by giving way for her to settle in. As soon as she sat, she called in the air hostess and asked for any other available seats at the front side. I was kinda startled by this and wondered whether is it because of my candid reply to her or she feels that the flights also throw the passengers up just like the buses in case of bumps :). Apparently there weren't any and the air hostess enquired for any discomfort for which the pretty gal said 'No, its okay, no worries' (bringing in the unreal Australian accent).
For next couple of minutes, the pretty gal got busy in the usual girly formalities i.e. adjusting her hair, taking her handbag (which accommodates almost everything.. from a comb to an umbrella :-p), applying lip gel and what not :). This was high time for me to take a nap. As I was retiring, she threw a quick 'Where to?'. I said 'Seoul' and questioned back. I thought she would end the conversation (which I would have loved to carry on with, if not tired :-p) with just the destination. But she continued to give the complete information. She told that she was returning to Melbourne after a 11 days India visit which included visit to Puttaparthi, Mysore and Bangalore. Just to be 'nice', I started with few more questions and after that more questions were fired back! The conversation went on for next 3-4 hours with a meal in between, exchange of a contact for buying cheap mobile phones and many more. During the conversation I came to know that she is a SriLankan by birth and settled in Melbourne past 7 years with her family. Also realized that she was indeed real beautiful with very expressive eyes and and importantly still single! :) Finally I had to admit her that I was tired and want to rest for a while and she obliged. (..still pondering as why she asked for a different seat and what made her to talk so much with me hmmm).
After sometime, I woke up suddenly and found her missing from her seat. I was surprised by her this unique art of moving out without disturbing the aisle passenger. I imagined this for few secs but thought WTH. Tinn-Ti-Dinnnn she appeared back. I started to unbuckle for which she told 'Its okay, I will jump in just the way I came out'. Then I knew how this unique art is performed. I said, 'Its okay, its better if I give way'. She ignored and was getting ready to jump before I could tell anything more (Can you believe this??!). I sat back eager to witness the unique art. Dunnnnnh she jumped and the next moment she was on me.. LOL :-D
She hurried to take her seat and for next couple of minutes got busy apologizing.
What an art I must say!! :)
Trying to forget all what happened, I slept back with a smile on my face :)
I woke up for the landing and saw this gal was all set. She smiled!
After the landing, we picked up our respective bags and I happen to say 'Fine then, nice talking. bye'. She said bye and parted in the crowd.
I crossed the gate entry/exit point and just when I was thinking that the story had come to an end, I saw her waiting for me at a near distance.
Conversation continued..
Pretty gal - 'How much time do you have for your next flight?'
Me - 'Well, around 3 hours. you?'
Pretty gal - 'About 5 hours'. And continued, 'Do you mind if I join you till then?'
Me - 'Sure, my pleasure' And continued, 'What next?'
Pretty gal - 'Well, you tell'. (Gals are known for this kinda replies!)
Me - 'OK, lets explore and try to find if we have anything interesting'.
We both got busy visiting almost all the shops around for sometime. And she tried almost all the glittering and beautiful necklaces, ear rings in an ornament shop followed by checking out the handbags at Gucci. I stood there saying 'Its nice, suits you :)'
Later, on my request, we sat down at an empty resting place where a huge plane stood just in front of us. We took some snaps and continued with our talk. Later on my say, she agreed to check some spas around. Later on enquiry we found that the packages were for more than 3 hours limit and by then, she didn't have that much time and it was time for my next flight.
We parted with a casual 'Nice meeting you, bye, take care' message. (Please note, no peck on the cheek and no exchange of phone # and email ids :-p)
My next leg wasn't so eventful but kept on thinking about this meet for sometime.
Quite a one to write about! :)
P.S: This took place on 17Jan and I forgot her name :(
Furthermore, this post is re-written as part of the 'Around The World With Expedia' contest by Expedia and appeared in IndiBlogger.
