Back in Malta

                          

                            Jet Lag Plus

 

What do you say when people ask you “ How was your flight?”

To me, any flight that lands safely is fantastic, a miraculous occurrence.  I don’t care about the food, the cramped space, someone in front of me with flatulence, crying babies (OK, I’m lying at this point).  All I care about is that it landed—safely.

But I was nervous on this flight. There was a family--a man, his 20-something son, his wife and two girls, probably in their teens. The three women were veiled completely except for their eyeballs.

On the plane—sitting right across from me in the next aisle, they seemed perfectly fine-until the man wouldn’t turn off his mobile (cell phone) when the plane was taking off. Two flight attendants came over to tell him to turn it off. He would stop his call (or whatever he was doing with it) and then put it in his carry-on bag. As soon as they left, however, he had it out again and was using it.

As the plane started taxiing for take-off, I got very panicky and leaned over to the man and reminded him that he had to turn it completely off.  He agreed, but didn’t turn it off.

The passenger next to me—a young German woman—placed her hand on my shoulder and told me it would be OK.

As the plane took off, I was praying hard and kept hyperventilating for about 30  minutes until I saw the man fall asleep.

So….the plane ride back to Malta was OK. It landed safely.

Now that I’m back, I’m really feeling the effects of jet lag.  I’m also feeling a little down, knowing I won’t see my girls for six months.  If I was back in the States, I would see them sooner than that for sure. But certainly, I wouldn’t see them everyday the way my former in-laws can see their kids (because they all live in NYC).

I keep trying to justify things.  Is it better to live close by and risk getting sick of each other? Is is better to live far apart and miss each other?

And the best scenario—something in between—how often does that happen?

I guess I have to stop questioning and accept that moving to Malta is what I chose to do at this time—and that it’s OK.  It’s OK to feel sad now, it’s OK to question things sometimes--and it’s OK to feel it’s OK.

Comments

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Katie--I dont know why people dont turn those cell phones off. Its repeated over and over and they dont listen.  Thanks for your insights about being away from home; it helps to know that you go through this, too--xx Ilene

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Alexandra, girlfriend, you make me laugh.  Guess whos your next flying partner?  Seriously, I wish you the best with the twins flight. All you can do is pray--and then let it go.  And believe me, I go through the same thing when anyone I love flies--Ilene

[Alexandra Claes]

The twins fly home to Australia in 13 day's to attend their fathers wedding. I thought I was OK with it but I am having the most horrible nightmares and am wondering whether I will cope---guess I don't have much choice.

I am petrified of flying but fly anyway and I can tell you this: I would have grabbed that phone like a hot potato, disarmed the doors and thrown it out !!! I always check the flaps are down before take off and demand to hear the pilot speak just so as to assess if he sounds "flight worthy". I always fly with someone else because if I am going down, they're coming with me !!! Of course I am always sufficiently inebriated... :)

Still singing that song...

[Katie]

Glad to hear everything went well with your travels - when we left Malta on Thursday, someone's cell phone rang on the flight to London - seriously why don't people get that they MUST turn them off?
Anyway, I am catching up on my blog with stories from our trip.
Keep your head up - I question things all the time and also hate living so far from my family, but it does make you appreciate the time you have together and in the same breath makes me sad at the same time. You are right, it is OK.

XO - Katie

[Sennuwy (an ancient Egyptian name)]

Hi Mike--Why didn't Dee leave you in Amsterdam--or at least in Panama? (Just not Malta).

Just messing with you, Mike. When are you (preferably Dee) coming back? xx Ilene

[Mike Owen]

"How was you flight?" "How was your flight?" Try "How were your flights?" All three of them....Malta - Amsterdam. 4 hours.
Amsterdam - New York. 8 1/2 hours.
New York - Panama. 4 hours.
One night in a crappy hotel and then a six hour drive to get home.
Yes thank you. Our flights were fine.

Just messing with you Ilene.