An Indian Arrival : My First Flight - Part 2
March 9th 2008 07:27
India : 1985 - 1988
Leaving Sydney
Growing up in England, as a child of European parents, I had already developed a well whetted appetite for ‘jaunting,’ with a well-defined periodic neediness and hunger for new sights, sounds and smells. By the age of 13, I was already an anomaly amongst my peers, having bi-annually trekked all over Europe in the back of my parents car; which was added to nicely at 14, by their epic divorce-making voyage to Australia … and later as a young adult, discovering the many wondrous sights, smells and sounds of Australasia itself.
Each summer, and sometimes even in frost bitten winters; I have headed out across Australia’s expanse to taste the delights of ‘exotic’ far-off places. Cultural diversity beckoning with it’s first promises during those early childhood experiences; when we crossed the English Channel from Dover to Calais, or Dover to Oostend and headed ‘home’ to visit family and friends, by different routes each time. Strangely though, we never flew and I had never realised that until I stood there in that cue in Sydney International Airport in 1985. How could all this have escaped my attention in all those years?
Of course, when I arrived at the airport I knew exactly what to do, as I was a ‘seasoned traveller’ by now, by-the-way... having caught the red-eye special and all. ... Luggage check in, (check) boarding pass issue (check) Gate No; location (check) .. and, “Oh No, you mean you need to pay a tax to leave the country! When did that happen?”
With only minutes to spare, like Hermes himself, I had some low level flying of my own to do. Each breath from the overhead boarding calls adding air to the wings on my heels, and despite suggesting that my mother sit and guard the luggage, making running easier, she insisted on running with me and all the luggage!
Paying my tax at Sydney that day had quietly marked the start of a roller coaster ride of surreal new thrills and angst, which regrettably for me, was moving too fast now for me to enjoy. Luckily, I would have time to reflect, as the flight was to be about 12 hours or so … if I made it? I was sure that the buzz I was feeling was palpable to those around me... how could everyone look so ordinary about such a miraculous thing as ‘flying’ … and to I-N-D-I-A? Despite my mother’s condescension my heart leaped again.
Eventually, we puffed and panted our way back to, what I discovered, was the furthest gate possible from the departure tax window - naturally. It was as I gave my mother a heartfelt farewell hug and promised to write, that I caught my first glimpse of the enormous 747 standing at the end of the boarding ramp. God, like Jonah, into the beasts belly… but really, come on, this thing had more ‘drag’ than all the ‘lift’ possible, even at warp speed ‘thrust!’
I moved ahead regardless, handing in my boarding pass.
“Hello Madam, welcome to Qantas” said a pleasant smile.
There were two isles when I got inside… my God, TWO … and FIVE seats across the middle, alone! I found my seat, after what seemed like ‘moving towards the back’ forever, to what was happily to be my window seat (again), for a long time, this time. Luckily, I was well in front of the wing by about three rows and was excited as a kid in an ice-cream factory. I played with the tray-table like a child for a good five minutes, up-and-down, click–in, click-out, up-and-down. I put a book on it, tested out my writing pad and pen by dating the top of the page … and then closing it up again … up-and-down, click-in, click-out, up-and-down, cli ... until the stare of the fellow now sitting next to me, made me feel a little silly.
After at least three-hours - or what felt very much like it - the doors were finally closed. “Fasten seat belts, No smoking” take off signs signalled that we were on our way. The air-stewardesses started their safety instruction demonstrations... The yellow slide-chute thingy looked like an interesting ride …maybe, if we did go down, it’d be over the sea, and we’d get to experience it first hand. I noted my nearest exit and sat back waiting for the delight of a jumbo-take-off.
The customary bumping as we taxied down the runway, followed by a still moment – just long enough to say a prayer – then the roar of these huge engines, followed by the a much faster burst of ‘thrust,’ slammed me back in my seat, the drag eventually giving way to the lift and … and whoosh …. that moment when all your senses tell you that you have left terra firma. A magnificent buzz welling in my entire body. I was up, up and away to I-N-D-I-A …Australia growing ever smaller in the widening distance as we roared once again to the heavens. I hope Mum got home safely.
I knew then, that I would never forget that first take-off in a Jumbo, anymore than I could my first kiss. For me, at that moment, the rapture was totally comparable in every way.
I celebrated with a nice glass of fruity white wine and some quiet reflection...
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Comment by tlcorbin
Coffee Quip
A Global Citizen
Paranormal Paranormal
Is Why
Alaska Chronicle
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
The takeoff was good, but the landing ... well that was the culture shock of a life time and coming up in part three ... and I thought I had seen it all ... HA!
Lilla ...
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
hahaha always an adventure to be had eh?
I was reading this on the train to Brisbane this morning and a classic Sandra Bullock snort errupted from me before I could stiffle it! The man opposite must have thought I was crackers.... hilarious visual Lilla, very funny!
Ash
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
...and now you have made me laugh again, watching you snort! ((hillarious))
Yeah that guy next to me turned out to be a real party-pooper... more on him later... but tell me, can you get wireless internet on the train? *raises head in interest*
I am glad you are enjoying it Ash, recalling it all hs put a bit of a smile on my dial too...
Cheers
Lilla ...
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I loved that I was folded up in your suitcase during your trip. Your writing is luminous!
Mis
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
((laughs)) indeed!
That is a lovely compliment too, thanks ...
Lilla ...
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
Like you, I just cant believe those big clumsy things get off the ground at all. Especially when you get close enough to really imagine how heavy they are. My mind does a little flip on me - as I walk in and start looking out the windows Im not really on that chunky thing I was just looking at. How impossible! And take offs....Oh, never get tired of them!
Comment by Lilla
Enviro Warrior
An Extra Ordinary Life
Dream Herald
There is nothing like it in the world, I agree.. sadly no big jumbo's for me this year, but I will get a little shuttle-jaunt in a short while, back to the 'Land of the Great White Chiefs' from whence I sprung all those years ago... and REALLY looking forward to take-off... 'twice' even *L*
Lilla ...