Always thrilled to be traveling, the complaints from frequent travels always seemed trite. Minus some minor hitches it has been smooth sailing for the past several years cruising the globe. Word to the wise… travel is one of the major areas affected by Mercury in retrograde.
In the United Airlines lounge prior to departure there was a rumbling, major rumbling, not thunder, a little closer to home. Maybe just a fluke or jittery nerves? Settling into our seats for our overnight flight through Brussels to Copenhagen for our travel to Malmo, Sweden there was some uneasiness. After managing a glass of red wine and our meals, that came after almost an hour and a half in the air, operation get a 4 year old to sleep on the plane was in full effect. Armrests up, mom was the pillow and dad was the leg rest – we were locked in. Dad dozing, child snoring, mom doubled over. Could it be really another case of cold seafood voodoo? Shrimp gazpacho sample from Whole Foods earlier or just cold stale plane air?
Past roommates can attest that when I retch it is not pretty nor is it quiet and there is a prolog of a cough that notoriously precedes the events, yes, events. There is never just one wave, then keep on rolling. Not that anyone is fond of expelling, but in a bathroom smaller then an automobile trunk with a line 4 deep? Muffling the projectile like wrenching so that the flight attendant is not notified of the Ebola/Swine Flu/something not yet documented taking place. Must endure, cannot be quarantined in Brussels….
Come on 9lbs 2oz baby natural delivery, Muay Thai test getting the holy hell kicked out of you by two grown men voluntarily, pull it together. Immigration is no joke, let alone in a line following a flight that just landed from Africa and only 8, yes 8 customs’ officials to scan the abundant crowds for disease, drugs, and criminals myself being the former. Nauseously proceeding through the line supported constantly by my hugging partner, we looked like newly weds clinging to each other. Not to mention born with a spicy sense for odor and surrounded by unshowered weary travelers plus my own stench. It was a test of will. Can’t go on, must go on but for how long?
Concluding the confrontation with the officials there was only a brief, approximately 1 mile, saunter to the Air Brussels lounge. The view and breakfast display was lovely in the peripherals speeding to the ladies room. The lady in the adjacent stall must have been late for her flight because normally women wash their hands and don’t run out of bathrooms, huh that’s odd. Entering in and out one time more and the eruption is over.
Onto Copenhagen, originally thrilled days earlier to contact Brussels Air and get our seats assigned row 4, all together. The stars were not having it. The woman at the gate promptly ripped them up in our faces and relocated us to the rear of the plane, farthest rear, no recline on the seats. Our protests went unrequited and United Airlines status was met with a brick wall. The pilot felt obligated to notify us that the rear of the plane is the safest, thanks for that. The chance of an accident was very slim, the chance of a neck ache and stale air were guaranteed. Nothing to do but take our seats and laugh instead of crying about it.
The brief week in Sweden was packed with catching up with friends, taking in the sites, experiencing the city by bike and Rick’s martial arts seminar. Our home away from home and all of which were great. The seminar day one was bringing home the importance of the bread and butter basics of Kali, Silat, and empty hands. Day two was boxing and kickboxing strategies and drills, so much fun and interesting at the same time. Loved by all!
Next we depart Sweden for Italy with Mercury still in retrograde. Mama Mia here we go again!
Living Wherever We Are 