Air travel has its joys

I’m still enamored with air travel, though I know I’m in the minority here.  Arriving at the airport, the smell of jet fuel, the nervous energy of people in line to check bags and go through security – it all feels so exciting. The airport is a magical place where people are comfortable being open with their emotions – crying at the pain of saying goodbye, broad smiles and boisterous laughs when someone who’s been away for too long finally arrives, big hugs all around. I love imagining where people are going or where they’ve been, making up stories in my mind about what their lives are like; this is my favorite game to play as I board the plane. Takeoff remains one of the most exhilarating feelings in the world, and I will forever be in awe of the fact that hundreds of people at once can FLY places. I love the taste of orange juice once we’re in the air and crunching that thick ice between my teeth. I love watching movies until I fall asleep and I love listening to my favorite music, the steady hum of the engines in the background. On long haul flights, when the flight attendants come around with food for the people still awake in the middle of the flight, I never turn down the noodles or sandwiches on offer. I love to sneakily peek open my window shade (always a window seat for me, please!) to catch a glimpse of what’s below. I’ve seen the most incredible things from the seat of an airplane – crystal blue waters, gigantic mountains made to look small, glittery cities at night, sunrises, sunsets, brilliant full moons, lightning storms and on a few lucky flights, fireworks. I love to look down on the city where we’re landing, and if it’s a familiar place I’ll try and pick out landmarks that I know. The thud of the wheels hitting the tarmac and the feeling of the plane finding its footing on the runway and we’re finally there! At the gate, a quick gathering of my things, one final check of the seat back pocket (I’ve left more things on planes than I care to admit…) and away we go. A dying breed we are, those of us who can see the joy in modern-day flying, but next time you’re lucky enough to hop on a plane remember all of the magic that exists.  Yes, there are negatives about flying, but it also has so many joys!