Leaving on a jet plane

Its been almost a month and once again I’m getting on a jet plane. I’ve been on planes regularly all my life, but the past six months, I seem to have a pattern that if its been three weeks, I better be heading to the airport.

I’ve always liked flying. I remember being five years old, on my first return trip to South Africa, and loving how big the planes were, looking at the passengers and the pretty flight attendants. I don’t remember being sick (as my parents remind me that I was most of the time flying) but do have a recollection of flying the final leg to South Africa and the plane was pretty empty. I got to lie down on three seats in a row, which seemed like a grand adventure.

Now flying has become so common place, but there are still things I like to do as part of my ritual of flying I always arrive early at the airport. I always carry my own food (long before the airlines stopped providing food or selling food on the plane). I always dress like I’m working although half the time I may be visiting friends. I love travel sized items and gadgets that are just for travel. I get excited when I’m just about to board the plane, when the airline staff start announcing who can board the plane. I have rarely flown business class, but the few times I did, I adored it.

I remember being a student trying to save money by flying west via the US to BC. I took a Thai Airways flight from Toronto to Seattle, which when I arrived at the gate was oversold. I sat in the waiting room hoping that I wouldn’t have to wait until the next day for a flight. Right at the end, three of us got boarding passes and were allowed to board.

Since the flight was heading to Asia after Seattle, it was a jumbo jet and had a second level for business class. We were pampered with scented towels, complimentary cocktails and lovely snacks. The attendants were elegantly dressed in shades of purple and relaxing music was playing. I vowed to travel like that again. It hasn’t happened, but I still dream it will.

Photo: January 2008, the skies somewhere between Toronto and Chicago, photo by WH

Posted by Waheeda. 

~ by Waheeda on February 2, 2008.