Travel Notes

Is there anything more annoying than trying to read on a plane, and being constantly interrupted by noise, engines, chatter, laughter and, well, anything else?! I recently visited friends for a birthday celebration weekend and travelled for just over an hour on a Fokker 100. No problem, I thought, I have my book. I endured the nerve-wracking take off (I am not the most relaxed flyer in the world) and prepared to settle down with my Kindle. The young man next to me had hogged the middle arm rest and so I was leaning slightly skewwhiff in my seat, towards the aisle, I wasn’t exactly comfortable but that’s ok, I had my book. The seatbelt light was extinguished but I didn’t plan on moving around the cabin. I had my book. Then the refreshments trolley approached, and I had to tuck my wing in. Trying to become as narrow as possible I re-read the last paragraph and tried to relax into the story. Bump. Crunch. Rustling wrappers. “Can I interest you in a sandwich?” “Tea or coffee?” I glanced up and smiled briefly at the beaming flight attended a few rows ahead of me. I re-read the paragraph again. Raucous laughter. Dad Jokes. Convivial banter. More wrappers ripping open. My turn. Resignedly I smiled “Tea please.” And took the paper cup filled with hot, dubious looking liquid that I hoped would at least resemble my chosen beverage. A sachet of sugar and the tiniest plastic spoon I have ever seen accompanied my drink. Once more I re-read that paragraph. Dipping my head slightly I endeavored to push myself further back into my seat and out of the way as lunch was served to my seat companion. Sipping my tea, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was actually more than passable. Very good in fact. How surprising. I moved on to the next paragraph, and the next, then the next couple of pages, almost finishing the chapter when… “Any rubbish?” the cheerful flight attendant waved a plastic bag at me and I obligingly placed my now empty cup inside. My ears popped, sensing the decrease in altitude that had crept up on us. The seatbelt sign pinged back on. I re-read the last paragraph. Cabin announcement, shuffling movements as fellow passengers gathered their loose belongings in readiness for the imminent landing. I tried once more to make sense of that last paragraph and then gave up. Tucking my Kindle away in my bag I watched our descent through my neighbour’s window. I would read later.