Flying Alone

Last weekend was my fifth time ever flying, and I did it alone.

I drove myself 40 minutes to the airport. Making it past the check point without being strip searched, relaxed me a little, breathing was easier. Although I was in compliance, I was ready just in case. You know clean and matching underwear, and lotioned from head to toe! Your parents tell you to wear clean underwear in case of emergency. What they fail to tell is make sure you're not ashy!

I felt like a big girl. That was until I realized my seat "A," was A.Window.Seat! The up side was being right behind first class. The leg room was awesome!

Note to self: Don't fly first class. It's a total waist of money! We were separated by only a curtain, that no one closed. There's NO party going on up there. And who wants a germ infested pillow, someone else has had. Ewww!

On the first leg of the trip, I was in seat "A," and a very stoic older gentleman sat in "C." Relief, "B" was empty. There was no awkward closeness.

Take off felt like a roller coaster ride, how it gets your stomach. I hate roller coasters, for that reason. I'm praying, praying, praying. I look over at Mr. Stoic, and he appears to be praying too. That's a good thing!

Finally, leveling off, I was raised the window, a few inches at a time. The clouds were absolutely beautiful! It looked like a sea of white. As far as the eye could see, mountains of clouds.

Then we descend, a roller coaster, again!

Boarding the second plane, we walked down stairs and through a door leading to... outside. What?!? In the four times I've previously flown, I never walked outside! Waiting through door ONLY ONE was a toy plane. Again, I'm by the window. Shade Down!

For the second time, first class was a rip-off. There was not even a curtain. The only perk was they got to board first. Big Deal!

This time, I'm uncomfortably close the woman sitting in "B." I smell her perfume. She's way too close!

The plane was so small, there was not even a flight attendant. The co-pilot walked the floor making seat checks. I'm so not kidding!

As the plane started to taxi toward the runway, there was a weird burning smell coming through the vents. S-l-o-w-ing down, STOP! An announcement from the cockpit followed, we would be returning to the terminal, for maintenance to check the plane. Actually, we changed plans, Thank God.

Up in the air, and over the wild blue yonder, second attempt at lift off was successful! Once again, I was mesmerized by the clouds. Once over St. Louis, I peered out the window, at lines, grids, and plots along the ground. Tree tops looked like broccoli florets, where cars look like ants marching.

My first time flying by myself, wasn't so bad. Although, I'd rather travel with someone I know, whose fragrance I'm familiar with.