So I’m apparently a massive sook.
Little hitched breaths, red face, the whole shebang- I’m a sentimental sap and I almost missed my plane but ya know what?
That was stressful as all fuck- but I’m currently over the Pacific Ocean.
5am start- tea and clothes and locks clicked into place. Hugs and goodbyes and another hug for safe measure and my mother and I are off and driving to Brisbane.
Cue ridiculous traffic.
That had to be the most stressful 12.9k of my life as we crawled up the highway and i watched the google maps ETA tick later and later and my flight click closer and closer.
Lets just say there was a lot of deep breathing going on in that car.
But we got to the airport! With a smidgeon of spare time sprinkled into the mix of panic and stress. luggage was checked, a pot of tea shared, and then I was off- approaching the departure lounge- released like a dove at a magic show ( that is to say confused and frantic and experimenting with the reality of spreading its wings).
I blink a few times, eyes itching, and DING DING DING- can we have a delayed reaction! Why yes, yes we can- just take away my moisturiser for being 50ml over the limit and we have tears!
Nice healthy tears, real emotions- aren’t they swell?
… I like being a Vulcan better.
Ah well, I recon I got through security twice as quick as anyone else because the guy didn’t know how to handle a leaking face.
Probably worked in my favour, the flight crew even looked contrite as I ran past them- the final boarding call echoing about gate 86- fumbling for passports and boarding passes (because I had to buy new moisturiser- got 12 hours of aircon to sit through and I plan on looking like a grape instead of a rasin for as long as I can thankyouverymuch).
And then I’m walking through this beast of a plane- arms filled with important documents, phones and chargers- and then I sit down.
The stress fades and the excitement grows and lunch and two rounds of tea are delivered. Tea solves all sins, and scraped knees, and broken hearts and frazzled nerves. Tea is a gift to the world and should be recognised as much.
From here I’d like to share a scattering of moments and factoids about the flight-
*A note about my mystery vego meal- a garden salad with its single cherry tomato- cookies to be saved for later- and one unlabelled warm meal. Annnnnnddd behind foil wrapper number one *drumroll please*- we have pasta! Let the gluten begin!)
*Three hours later- an update-
Gluten is bad and my stomach hates me.
*Five hours later-
A jog around the plane and a gab with the lovely ladies doing squats and exercises at the back of the plane later- and my stomachs decided to behave.
As have my emotions might I add, stress is not my friend and we tend to avoid each other- but on the bright side I can tell you that my mascara has passed the test! (Thanks again Georgia!)
*7 hours to Los Angeles, and we’ve crossed the equator and its night time.4:32 local time and its pitch black- but the SUNSET- the sunset was stunning- clouds edged with red and bright orange- gold- the whole horizon glowing with it- and I’m looking down- this is how a sunset is meat to be witnessed.
*Mango Weis bars for desert!
*I have a window seat, and the centre seat beside me is empty. I have the most delightful leg space.
*Its finally clicked how jet lag can be a problem, because its all kinds of dark and night time but its only actually 4 o’clock?. Also HOW DO YOU FOOD? They just keep giving me food! It’s both glorious and confusing because my poor stomach can’t figure out what’s lunch and what’s dinner. Ended up eating lunch (the dreaded pasta) and then just having my gluten free biscuit for dinner instead of the sandwich thing they offed that I couldn’t quite identify (I think it was pumpkin?)- then breakfast for dinner with an omelette! Then lunch gluten free biscuits for desert 🙂
*It’s a full moon! Do you know how rad it is to fly over the pacific under the soft glow of a FULL MOON? I just can’t get over the view- it’s beautiful.
*THEY’VE BEEN SERVING DHILMA TEA THE WHOLE FLIGHT I AM SO HAPPY
*All the food is free!
Now I’m in LAX- I have 40 mins of free net and 5 hours to burn. problem. But such is life- I’m going to post this as is and check my emails! Connecting flight to Vancouver is at 2- apparently all flights are completely full! This should be fun…
Check ya in Canada!
~Jess
Dingobait 