Posted on by Ana Linden

Flying

5

I was 18 when I first got to be thousands and thousands of metres above the world as I knew it. Travelling by plane would not be an issue for me, I just knew it; in fact, I had a feeling I would enjoy flying. I wasn’t wrong. During the following couple of years it became a normal part of my existence. I kept looking forward to that exact moment when I could feel the plane lose physical contact with the ground, heading towards the clouds. Defying gravity gave me a free pass to defy everything negative in my own life and for a long time, those were the moments when I would feel absolutely no pressure. For the control freak that I have always been, voluntarily giving up any sort of control for a couple of hours or so, while floating above everyone and everything that my life entailed, was exquisitely liberating.

I’ve lost track of the number of flights I’ve been on over the years. I’ve become somewhat jaded and like most repeated actions, flying has lost a great part of that initial magic. All the traveling related stress often gets the best of me and it’s no longer easy to be oblivious to everything going on around me (but at least it makes for some interesting, often hilarious travel stories).

Early morning flights have never been my favourite. But then again, sleep is the only thing I favour early in the morning, so that might have something to do with me… Anyway, sleep was not going to be an option that December morning and there was nothing else to do but accept it. The plane had taken off, breakfast had been served, but clearly nothing was going to calm down at least one of the several screaming babies. So, so many screaming babies… no high tech device could reproduce that sort of surround sound… Is it me or are there more and more people traveling with very young children and infants? No, no, I distinctly remember having been on many flights with absolutely no young child on board… years ago. That conversation I was having with my at the time very bitchy self was interrupted by the scenery. And although it did nothing for the hoard of crying children, it did calm me down. I managed to focus on the snow covered mountains underneath and let flying work its magic on me. Well, until the brat sitting behind me decided that kicking all the seats in front was an absolute must…

What can I say… nothing’s perfect. And no one is perfect either, so as a result, I turned and gave the brat my meanest look. Relative peace was restored and I got to feel like I was floating weightlessly and effortlessly (though certainly not noiselessly) through the clouds.

22 Replies to “Flying”

  5. When the kicking of the seat starts, airplane, theatre, wherever, I always wonder if the parent is legally blind because there is just no other reason for allowing anyone to do that. There, I feel better. 🙂 Here’s to your next trip being boring but having beautiful scenery.

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    1. So I’m not the only one to notice it… thank you, M 🙂 I was beginning to think I was going crazy, especially since the general opinion seems to be that unless you have children, you are not entitled to complain about / be disturbed by any child-related matters. As for the early morning flights – I am dreading the one I have to take in a few days, so I’m trying to distract myself and think of all the good things that will happen once I land 🙂

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      1. I have 3 children and was lucky they didn’t cry on planes but we didn’t travel much. People have too much disposable income these days.

        As a mother I still think parents of your ill behaved kids have a sense of entitlement. Half the time the poor behavior is because the kids are spoiled, not because their ears hurt (and in that case you usually cringe in sympathy for the poor thing). Even on the commuter bus I get upset when there’s screaming kids – for goodness sake these kids should learn how to behave! Lol.

        Hopefully your morning flights ahead will be peaceful!

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        1. I’m sure the education received at home had a lot to do with your boys’ behavior. It’s certainly not the children’s fault if they weren’t taught any better… As for entitlement, you reminded me of this ridiculous situation: several years ago, when iphones were still fairly new toys, this guy I was collaborating with at the time buys his 10-year old a second iphone. Apparently many of the kids in his class already had an iphone as well, so the boy needed the second one in order not to develop an inferiority complex 🙂 Meanwhile, both parents had decent, yet less expensive phones…

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  8. It is said that repeating the things we enjoy more often become as boring as the routine?
    However you have perfectly described the feelings of your first flight. My favorite part:

    Defying gravity gave me a free pass to defy everything negative in my own life and for a long time, those were the moments when I would feel absolutely no pressure.

    May be because I am myself to tired of life and its pressures and I am also looking forward to escalate far above these things and feel myself again.
    Hope I get my visa approved 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We need to escape our lives once in a while – even when things aren’t necessarily terribly bad – in order to gain perspective, appreciate what we have and be able to come up with fresh approaches to help us prevent routine and boredom. Or at least that’s how it is for me, I am aware that many people see things differently… Anyway, good luck with your visa, it sounds like you could use getting away from everything for a while 🙂

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  9. I love flying too! I suspect some of those parents don’t know how to teach simple consideration like not kicking the seat in front of you. But you did share some great flying images!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Let’s just say those particular parents weren’t exactly the most polite and educated of people, as it became clear when it took two flight attendants to convince them to fasten their seatbelts…
      But you’re right, I got a chance to take some nice photos and enjoy the view.
      I hope you have a nice, stress-free flight next time you travel 🙂

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