The 14 hour plane ride
Boing 777-200, 69400 lbs, triple wide (3 seat rows on left, right, middle)
Asian couple next to me flying to Sydney for 10 days then off to a cruise to New Zealand for 10 days. Said “we are old so we want to see the world”. Offered me the window seat but I declined. I’m in the aisle and I need my leg room. Besides they want to see the world so who was I, although they asked, to stand between them and the window.
The woman, watching some news episode (20/20 maybe). The man, bobbing his head and drumming his hands to the tunes of Hank Williams.
The flight attendant came around passing out menus for the flight. The start of our flight began with a peach Bellini Champaign toast. They called it “Leta Go”. Normally I don’t drink on flights because I’m so nervous that I think I may get sick. I especially don’t eat on flights either but looking at this menu... starts off with “Let’s Go”... so under my breath I say, “let’s get it”! A hot towel, bottle water and a placemat with silverware rolled inside came by first, then the champagne toast. Next we have Wine and Dine where you get a meal and a beverage of choice (non alcoholic or alcoholic). The main dishes to chose from areChicken Marsala, Four Cheese Ravioli, and Salad W/grilled Chicken... desert Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. So, all that sound good right? Hell yeah it does but see the way my stomach works... I’ll take the salad, pass on desert and run me a glass of Cabernet. Oh and some light bites are passed out ! (assorted sweets and snacks)
***Update... they ran out of salad just when they reached my seat so I settled for Cheese Ravioli.***
Next some time several hours later they have “Rest & Relax” where they kill the lights and you can either sleep or do what you want.
At “Halfway There”, we get tomato and mozzarella bruschetta 🤤
**this is the point we are at now. Not sure what time it is in the air over the Pacific right now but it’s 1am December 4 in Sydney, and 7am December 3 in Phoenix.
Then there is “Almost there”... BREAKFAST!
As I type this I’m listening to The Institute by Stephen King. As always the start is getting to know the characters. I won’t be able to finish the book before the flight is over. I did eventually go to sleep. I couldn’t imagine staying awake for 14 hours. But this fear of flight tho... some turbulence lasting minutes at a time, flight attendants walking by constantly, that faint smell of farts or breath, I can’t tell ... at 34k feet, shit smells different up here.
