Coffee Table Declarations
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
I have been unusually busy at work. My days have consisted mainly of making travel arrangements for others. You wouldn't believe how many flights take off each day. It seems so normal. Our travelers are so matter-of-fact about it. I wonder how long it takes to feel that way.
I have only flown twice in my life, to Washington DC and back and that was only a few years ago. I was terrified of the idea of flying, but when a friend invited me to spend a long summer weekend visiting her brother and sightseeing, shopping, and hanging out in our nation's capitol, I decided to go for it. I read every fear of flying book I could get my hands on. I took a motion sickness drug that made me drowsy. I still felt like I was taking risks with destiny as I arrived at the airport.
My friend arranged for us to board early because I was so scared. I couldn't help crying as I dragged my suitcase down the tunnel to the entrance of the plane. I was going through with it, but I was afraid. I got to meet the pilot as we boarded. My friend told him "she's afraid to fly," and he said, "that's o.k., I am too." Funny guy.
As we sat waiting to take off, me in a drowsy, weepy state, clutching religious and superstitious charms, other people boarded the plane including little kids who looked at me fearfully as they walked by. Their parents probably told them that it was fun to fly and there was nothing to be afraid of.
We were delayed on the ground for over an hour. When we finally took off a nice lady across the aisle kept explaining noises and things to me as they were happening. Sometimes I think people are meant to be in certain places at certain times for certain reasons. I know I couldn't have been so brave without the kindly anonymous older lady explaining things to me. The pilot also kept saying things over the intercom to explain what was going on. I think he was trying to help me too. How often I wonder, do they see a 22 year old flying for the first time?
The experience ended up being fine which led to a little overconfidence on my part on the flight home. About half way through it I started to silently panic. Once we landed they shut the vents off but we had to wait to get off the plane. I felt like I was suffocating. I was so relieved to see my family waiting for me inside the airport. I haven't flown since. I will eventually, I just need to get some good tranquilizers.
I have only flown twice in my life, to Washington DC and back and that was only a few years ago. I was terrified of the idea of flying, but when a friend invited me to spend a long summer weekend visiting her brother and sightseeing, shopping, and hanging out in our nation's capitol, I decided to go for it. I read every fear of flying book I could get my hands on. I took a motion sickness drug that made me drowsy. I still felt like I was taking risks with destiny as I arrived at the airport.
My friend arranged for us to board early because I was so scared. I couldn't help crying as I dragged my suitcase down the tunnel to the entrance of the plane. I was going through with it, but I was afraid. I got to meet the pilot as we boarded. My friend told him "she's afraid to fly," and he said, "that's o.k., I am too." Funny guy.
As we sat waiting to take off, me in a drowsy, weepy state, clutching religious and superstitious charms, other people boarded the plane including little kids who looked at me fearfully as they walked by. Their parents probably told them that it was fun to fly and there was nothing to be afraid of.
We were delayed on the ground for over an hour. When we finally took off a nice lady across the aisle kept explaining noises and things to me as they were happening. Sometimes I think people are meant to be in certain places at certain times for certain reasons. I know I couldn't have been so brave without the kindly anonymous older lady explaining things to me. The pilot also kept saying things over the intercom to explain what was going on. I think he was trying to help me too. How often I wonder, do they see a 22 year old flying for the first time?
The experience ended up being fine which led to a little overconfidence on my part on the flight home. About half way through it I started to silently panic. Once we landed they shut the vents off but we had to wait to get off the plane. I felt like I was suffocating. I was so relieved to see my family waiting for me inside the airport. I haven't flown since. I will eventually, I just need to get some good tranquilizers.
