Emirates. 27hours. 2 stops, 1 change.
It is mid-eve (or early morn) and I am on a plane rising high in the atmosphere. Perhaps even stratosphere. I’m not sure but it is up real high. I sit next to a brunette woman. She is on her way to visit her daughter and her 2 kids in Dubai. One is 8 and the other is 6. She has preordered gluten-free meals.
The plane is very high now. There are bumps. Why are there bumps? What could it possibly be hitting? Carebears.
Soon it is midnight and the cabin lights are dimmed. People are curled up in awkward positions as the plane gently but distinctly whirrs.
I sit on my arse, I eat, I watch movies and gain highest score in Bejeweled2. Ha, AndyM you are no match for my sleep deprivation.
I recline. Well as much as you can recline in an upright position.
I watch many many movies. Most of them are not very good.
Seat up, seat back, seat up, seat back.
There is a cup holder. I spin it. Then I spin it again. One more time.
My foot has gone numb. I stand on pins and needles. It surges through my limp foot and rises up through my phantom leg. That’s it. It’s going to have to be amputated. Right here in the aisle on this plane. I do a hop dance from foot to foot. Foot forward, foot back, foot forward, foot back. Normality returns. We won’t need to amputate after all.
More food. More films. More sitting. The aggressiveness of the flush on the toilet scares me. It’s only the first 11 hours of my journey.
The plane shakes from turbulence and the seat belt light is illuminated. Now unconcerned, I choose my next film, dim the brightness and conceal the 2nd blanket I’ve managed to score unbeknownst to anyone else on the plane.
We’ve landed. Time for trip number 2.
I catch sight of myself in a mirror at Dubai Airport. I look like I’ve been on an all week bender. And have just realized I don’t know where I am. And have ended up in someone else’s clothes. Toothpaste, while refreshing, aint gonna cut it. My armpits are sweaty and my feet are cold. A skin crust has developed in random patches on my face and my hair looks like I’ve never considered the importance of personal hygiene.
It is broad daylight now. I’m not sure what time it is anymore. Airplane food tells me it is Breakfast. Hurrah. Normaility. More movies. Bejeweld2. We are delayed 30mins. I stick my head as close to the airplane window as possible; my first view of London.
The planes lands and I disembark at Heathrow Airport. I flash my passport, collect my baggage and meet my taxi driver.
Now my real journey begins.
