Nepal Medical Mission 2014 Day 1 part 1 - Awkward yet comfortable

31 October 2014, KLIA

    Day 1, 9.30am

Have you ever feel like you are a stranger in a circle of people that you never know yet they seemed so familiar to you?

But for some reason, you are feeling comfortable with them at the same time. 

Sitting at one corner, I see how each of them greeted each other. Some of them greeted each other politely as though they never meet. For some, they greeted each other like two best friends never meet each other for very very long time. And for some, they greeted each other as though they know each other for very long time but actually in reality, they have never meet before. I guess this is what we called same brain wave of craziness. And a small group of them already gather with each other as though they found a common topic, language or even gesture within each other.

And then, came this lady who greeted everybody with smiles, the same lady that gathered and connected us via whatsapp for months. We are indeed familiar with each other's whatsapping skills, however this is the first time, we see each other face to face. At least, for me it was the first time, but for some they may have met each other due to previous gathering prior the trip. I wonder how things will turn if all the team members describe themselves in whatsapp before the meeting. I shall describe myself as 'sleepy-looking lady with overpacked luggage and backpack, and half-asleep on the table.'

Prior to this gathering, there were a lot of paper works and arrangements going on, in term of finding sponsors, donations, networking, legal paperworks, accommodation arrangements, logistics arrangements and etc....... I am not the organizer, but I indeed understand how the lengthy behind-the-scene process prior to this meeting. 

Many questions pop up in my mind.

 'Did I under pack or over pack my luggages?'

 'Will I be able to get along with these people?'

'What can I do there?'

'What if I got Acute Mountain Sickness and needs emergency medical evacuation' 

'What happen if my helicopter crashes?'

Well, after all the awkward greeting session and mind-glob bing self- destruction thoughts for me, we took an awkward group photo too with our Jalur Gemilang. 

Picture courtesy of our yoga laughter therapist, Ms Susan Dustin - The 'must' pre mission picture with Sister Kathy

Well, that's not end, we had another meet-and-greet in the departure lounge with other group members who transited from all over places. That meet-up was even extravagance and noisier than the first. 

It was indeed an awkward yet comfortable meet-and-greet session for me.