I pack light. A single lens, and only carry-on baggage.
This plane takes me to a more central airport. Every seat has a USB plug, a power outlet, and a video screen that lets you choose what you want to watch. I make a note to fly Air Canada from now on.
In stark contrast, my connecting flight has two propellers.
The window seats are also the aisle seats.
I choose one by the propeller. The reflection in the shiny nose gives me a wide angle view of the plane itself. As it spins, the blades begin to ghost, and eventually disappear. It accelerates faster than any other plane I’ve been on, and leaves a loud hum and hiss that sustains itself until landing. I’m exhausted enough that I fall asleep shortly after take-off.
The captain is the same person who stores your luggage, goes over the safety instructions, and gets you to your destination.
The number of pilots is almost equal to the number of passengers. They leave the cockpit open, and I get a first hand look at what they do in the controls to get the plane to respond a certain way.
My home base is a hotel suite big enough that it has two HD TVs, a fridge, a microwave, and a living room separated from the bedroom. For the next four days and three nights, I won’t have the company of my cat or the comfort of my ukulele1, but it feels good to be staying here long enough that I can hang up my clothes and settle in.
They leave a pouch on my blanket, which includes a sleep mask, ear plugs, and lavender linen spray. I make a note to stay at Crowne Plaza’s from now on.
I’m back in New Hampshire, and craving some famous New England surf to go along with my turf. For dinner, I order the filet mignon, which comes stuffed with Maine lobster, brie, spinach, and shiitake mushrooms, wrapped in smoked bacon, presented with dried cherry demi-glace, whipped potatoes, and asparagus. Cooked medium-rare, of course.
I’ve been in meetings all day, working nine hours after six hours of traveling and an early flight. Now the meetings are over. Everyone’s gone their separate ways, and I’m here alone.
- It didn’t fit in my suitcase [↩]
New Hampshire has the best state motto.
I completely agree.