A long haul plane flight is really a fascinating thing. No two experiences are ever exactly the same.
First, there’s the issue of personal space. Out in the real world, to lay your head gently on the shoulder of a perfect stranger, and possibly leak a little drool onto their clothes – this wlould be a social faux pas of massive propotions. To climb over the top of (and possibly step on) a deeply sleeping stranger in order to relieve your bladder? Unheard of. And even to breathe and re-breathe the air of a hundred strangers for 14 hours of enforced confinement while diligently counting down the hours til it’s over? Sounds a little like punishment. But this jail-time comes with a voluntary sign-on sheet and a sweet reward at the other end.
Plus – I must confess, I totally have a thing for plane food. Yes. I do. Really. The delicious mashed goo encased in shiny alfoil covers. The cheese and crackers waiting to be popped out of the plastic and into my mouth. The cute mini bottle of champagne and the stemless wine glass. The regular delivery of snacks. I’m like a little kid who gets christmas delivered over and over for fourteen hours.
So what were the particular highlights of this 14 hour haul from Brisbane to Los Angeles? Let me pick three:
1. Carlos, Elli and I were all the same flight. All seated in aisle seats in front/behind and beside each other. (We all appreciate a good aisle seat.) Not all passengers had boarded the plane yet, and Carlos still had two empty seats beside him. I had one empty seat beside me. “Hey Hey” says Carlos “Looks like I’m going to be comfy during this trip, I have all three seats to myself!” Elli responds: “No way, they just haven’t boarded yet papi, there will totally be people.” Caitlin backs her up: “I wouldn’t get too get excited Maestro. You’re not that lucky.” Carlos raises his finger as if about to speak great wisdom, “We’ll see who has the laugh last when I’m stretching out my legs in comfort and you’re both squashed in! And don’t think I’ll share my extra space with you for all your doubt!!” The punchline? Carlos had both seats beside him filled, while the seat beside me remained empty for the whole flight. Needless to say, I enjoyed the last laugh.
2. Elli and I discover we really are twinsies. According to Carlos we both fall asleep and then wake up at the same time. I’m not sure if this is a highlight, or if we’ve just spent way too much time travelling together.
3. Highlight 3 would have to be finally getting the first real twinges of excitement starting to kick some adrenalin into my bloodstream… after so much stress and craziness, I’m finally on holidays, I’m going to get to dance with the best in the world, AND I’ll see Europe for the first time.
What a high.
You must have been flying Qantas - good for you. Last time (many years ago) I cheaped out and flew United it was the worst flight ever. Surly flight attendants, bad food, almost no snacks, and the toilet leaked into the carpet in the back half of the plane - joy!
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