Rarely does a day go by when I don’t think about hopping in my car and driving “until the wheels fall off.” And then wherever I land, I can start all over again. Except not from my mother’s belly, because that would be gross. And who wants to go through puberty again. Ew and high school. Fuck high school.
My affinity for road trips (which I don’t think I’ve written about yet) is part of my larger affinity for travel. I’m peripatetic at heart, y’all. I really am. But road trips take a long time, at least they do when I’m doing them. Because I’m not talking about a road trip that takes four or five hours. That is not a road trip, y’all. And if you’re calling that a road trip, stop it right now. Because that’s lame and doesn’t count. (It sorta counts. I’m being snobby.)
Unfortunately, there’s only so much time in a day, and road trips aren’t always practical or even feasible for your purposes. Sometimes they’re downright impossible if you actually want to reach your destination.
Enter airplanes. But guess what? I had a fear of flying that I didn’t know I had until I was waiting to catch my very first flight. (Isn’t that funny? I wonder what other fears I have that I don’t know I have until someone puts cream cheese in front of my face and I bolt in terror and hide under the bed. Even if it is slathered on chicken. Who traumatizes chicken like that? Crazy people, that’s who.)
Stephanie Earns Her Wings (not the ones on pads – stop being nasty, y’all)
Flight one was a trip to New York. And I didn’t even have to pay for it. What? I sat in the holding pen with the rest of the cattle, and stared out the window at the enormous plane. And I could feel my stomach trying to take its own flight, straight outta me and to some rural farm somewhere, where everyone is called Bubba and only terrorists fly planes. My stomach would be nice and safe there. But since I had my stomach in solitary confinement, its fate was mine.
When I learned that the enormous jumbo plane I was looking at was only a lowly commuter plane, I was supposed to feel reassured. Until I was told those are the shaky motherfuckers that make you feel like you’ll plummet to the ground any minute. (Someone was rather enjoying my growing anxiety.)
The flight is called, and my intrepid little heart was doing somersaults in my chest. I told it we could work on our gymnastics later, but that insolent fucker wasn’t having it. We climb up into the plane, and oh my god. This claustrophobic capsule of doom was about the size of a sardine can. (Is there any such thing as sardine cans anymore? Don’t eat sardines, people. That’s nasty.) They packed us in there like sardines. We may as well have been in each others’ laps. To make matters worse, the little light above my head was flickering. IT WAS FLICKERING. That was surely a sign that I was about to get Final Destinationed.
By the time the plane was lifting off, tears were silently pouring down my cheek. (Of course they were silent. Tears don’t speak. Do you, tears? No, we don’t speak. That’s what I thought.) I just tensely sat there, quietly crying and willing myself not to look out the window. The thoughts that raced through my head were morbid and terrifying. And then we were up. My hand was held, and I was reassured. Slowly my tears dried up, and I willed myself to stop thinking about all the bad things that could happen. Because I’m here now, right? I mean, it’s a little late to change my mind.
And then something peculiar and unexpected happened. At some point along the way, we flew into a mild storm. And I shook, rattled and rolled until I went unconscious, then woke up in a plane filled with water and I lived the next several years of my life stranded on a deserted island, looking at a picture of my fiance. Shit, sorry. That was Tom Hanks in Castaway. My bad. So we hit a patch of turbulence, right? And the plane was shaking and jolting around in the air. And…
I fucking loved it! I even giggled! The people that were with me were most displeased at this turn of events. The two fuckers who had delighted in my fear were now terrified. And I had the audacity to giggle! From that point on, I loved it. Even the tiny little packet of peanuts. I’d have framed it if I didn’t eat them. And then the stupid flight bitch stole my wrapper. That’s why I have pockets, people! Next time you get your in-flight peanuts, stuff the wrapper in your pocket so you can frame it later. Or scrapbook it if you’re one of those weirdos.
And then we landed, and I was even more ecstatic. Kinda leaning forward in my seat, feeling the shaking sardine can. And yay! This is an adventure! My flight companions were rather pissed off at this point, because their ears were popping. And I’m all bouncy and let’s go again! Let’s go again! Can we do it again!
No Longer A Virgin of the Skies (Wait. Not like that, y’all.), Stephanie the Skyslut Goes for Rounds Two, Three and Four
This time, the plane was much bigger. A Seven Forty-Bigger. But I felt unfazed. What did faze me was DFW. The Dallas airport was dirty and loud and crowded. And we had to rush, rush, rush, hurry, hurry, hurry, run, run, run to our gate. Only to sit on the floor for several hours because flights were delayed. I took my laptop out and tried to work on a paper that would be due after winter break. But who can concentrate in all the noise and hubbub and chaos? Not this girl.
Oh, wait, I messed that all up. We had to go from DFW to Atlanta. It was in Atlanta that we had the asshole delays because winter storms or some shit. Lamesauce. Anyway, the points are the same.
I wasn’t nervous. Not at all. Instead, I was anxious to get on the plane and get going. And once we did, I found the plane bigger and roomier. Even my window was bigger, which didn’t matter at this point because it was super dark out and I couldn’t see shit. Lame. Other than that, it was all good. And I was disappointed that the landing wasn’t rockier. I got some annoyed looks with that observation. Apparently only commuter planes feel like they’re falling apart on landing. Damn. I was looking forward to that part! (No sarcasm, folks.)
Oh, and before I move on? The Newark airport can suck my dick. Well, it could if I had one. Because fuck that nasty, filthy, rude, mean place. Coming and going, it was the same. And they made me check my snow globe on the way back, because I could use it as a weapon! Or maybe I had bomb juice in there! And I pointed out that it wasn’t on any restrictions list, and then I got threatened that I’d be strip-searched. So I relented. But I was fuming. I was gonna burn that motherfucker down if they broke my snow globe!
Oh. One thing I did love about the Newark Airport was it was the first time I’d seen so many different cultures milling about in the same place. That was amazing, and I found myself trying really hard not to stare at people. I was fascinated and wanted to know all about them and their lives.
Stephanie Says Fuck the Cutesy Headings and Goes for Rounds Five through Twelve, All for One Trip
Next up was Paris. And before you think I’m some globetrotter (I wish), this was on a college trip. I was already in my mid-twenties, but I went back to school late. Anyway. Paris. To get there, we had to do the commuter again (YAY!), then more Seven Forty-Biggers. From Louisiana to Dallas to Atlanta. And Atlanta can kiss my ass, too! At least on the return trip when they broke my borrowed suitcase!
And then holy shit the Seven Forty-Jumbofucker! And you know what I felt when I saw it? Sadness! I lamented the fact that I wouldn’t get to feel any turbulence. I was scared again, though. But only mildly. The fears this time were more of…oh my god, eight hours over nothing but open ocean. What if there’s a fuel leak? What if we need help? What if that baby that’s already crying never shuts the fuck up? (It did…for about half the flight.) But other than that, I felt okay. At this point, I was the mildly annoying one that couldn’t wait for takeoff and landing, my two favorite parts. Unless turbulence, then yay! I didn’t actually say much, really. But the one or two people nearest me got to hear about my love of a rattling plane.
Other than that, I started turning my attention to the differences in airports. And learning to dread them like actual seasoned travelers do. I’ve already mentioned my loathing for the Newark Airport and getting miffed at the Atlanta Airport. And the crowds. Oh my god, the crowds kept my stomach in knots.
This time, though, I experienced something completely different. Flying into Europe, for some reason, we skipped over France and landed in Frankfurt, Germany. And what a weird airport it was! There were these floor to ceiling glass booths. Maybe about eight-foot square. And it was crammed to the gills with smokers. It was so weird and cool and brilliant. Because smokers who aren’t allowed to go outside and smoke will kill you. At the time, I was a smoker. But I wouldn’t go into the booths, because they were so full of smoke that I knew it would wreck me, give me a royal headache and make me smell like one giant walking ashtray. No thanks. And I was never one of those to verbally attack other people when I hadn’t had my nic.
The Charles de Gaulle Airport was awesome. Crowded, as usual, but it looked so cool. Plus it was crawling with French people, and I caught snippets of conversations here and there that I somewhat understood. And I was in heaven.
Stephanie Anticipates Flight Thirteen (maybe this flight will change that to a lucky number)
It’s been years since I’ve flown. Despite all those flights, most were connections. So there have only been two trips that required airplane travel. I’ve done some road trips in the meantime, two pretty epic ones over the last two years. But I can’t do a road trip this time. There simply won’t be enough time.
I’m planning a trip during the President’s Day holiday. And since that’s only three days, a road trip that far is out of the question. There would be no time left for shenanigans! Y’all know I struggle with anxiety, so it’s a pretty big deal that I’ll be going to meet a fellow blogger. A really fucking cool one at that. We’ve had some epic conversations, and I feel perfectly at ease. I’m excited about it, and hey…I am a woman and all, so the good news is I have a whole month to pack for the three-day jaunt. Ha! Hm, maybe four. I could always take an extra day off work and an extra suitcase. (Kidding. I’m pretty simple. Mostly.)
Plus, I’ll get to experience a new airport. I suspect it will be hell, too. It didn’t take long for me to dread airports, and I do. But I am very much looking forward to the flight and the landing and the visiting. I drove through the area once, but I didn’t stop. And I certainly didn’t meet an awesome blogger. And I’m no longer afraid of flying. In fact, I’m very much looking forward to this trip.
So for now, that is all I’m gonna say about it. More to come! In the meantime, do you have any flight or airport stories?
The crying kids. UGH.
Very cool that you’re going to meet a fellow blogger. I’vecmet a fewcand it’s been supercalufragilistical. And eye opening. And… Stuff.
I hope you have a fantabulous trip! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, for fuck’s sake… #$@&!
!!!!!
I HATE TOUCHSCREENS!!!!!
*I’ve met a few and
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know – I always screw up when I’m replying on anything other than the computer!
LikeLike
I know, I wish they could check the kids with the rest of their baggage! Hehe..
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
OH! OH! You’re traveling next month! *feels all enlightened* There are a lot of bloggers I hope to meet as well.
Road trips are awesome 🙂 I like lil road trips and long road trips and really long road trips, I really just like to ride in the car. I’m no snob about the distance of road trips. I was perfectly happy to have my husband drive me to Target today, and that’s only like 15 minutes, but the scenery was lovely!
I’m not a big fan of flying. Sometimes it’s really the best way. I mean, I like planes better than boats, and planes are quite quick. I never mind turbulence; I always miss the fresh air. That whooshy thing never blows enough air, and you just know that air’s all germ-y and ew.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You got it – next month! It should be fun!
I like little road trips, too. I was just being silly. Mostly. The long ones where the scenery changes over and over…ahhhh I just love it so much.
Ewwww I didn’t think about the grody plane air!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! The Newark airport bit was pretty great. Actually most of this post was pretty great. I hope you have an amazing time on your trip, though I’m sure you will. Sounds great! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dude. The Newark Airport blows! Except for the people, because wow.
But I’m thinking the upcoming trip will be even more wow. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was used to the huge and busy airports in Houston, so I was pleasantly surprised when I visited the airport in Albuquerque. Small, quaint, and not crowded at all. Unfortunately for New Mexico, the size and amount of traffic at the airport means that not many people are coming to visit and not much economic activity in the state.
I wish you safe travels on your next adventure. Please take pictures. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! There will be pics. 🙂
I’ve never been through either of those airports – maybe one day! I’ve been in Houston recently and drove through New Mexico. But never the airports!
LikeLiked by 1 person
All airports look the same to me, probably because I hate to fly. Anyway, you can’t see much about a place from the air. But I’m sure there are some awesome people-watching opportunities at airports. I’m reminded of the opening scene in the movie, Love Actually. Great movie, awesome scene. (We’ll miss you, Alan Rickman.)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw what a beautiful scene – thank you so much for that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
For your next flight, you can come to visit me and enjoy the white powdery stuff!
I mean snow…what were YOU thinking?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yay, for realsies? I wanna snort white powdery stuff! I mean SEE! SEE it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep, get yo’ ass up here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw YAY!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Remember, you agreed to sleep outside with the huskies. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw man, they like to eat meat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Alright, you can sleep in the tree house. They don’t climb…very well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
It ain’t hot here no more…down to -13°F today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holy shit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Didn’t go out for a walk today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, no kidding. I’d have died!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not if you wore this:
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hahaha! That looks like a lumpy Gumby!
LikeLiked by 2 people
The good thing about that outfit is that ANYONE would look fat in it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha! Then everyone could assume I’m svelte under all those rolls. That would be a nice change. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the word ‘svelte’…saying it activates my speaking-in-a-German-accent mode. Don’t ask me vy…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Vat is dis nonsense!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Vat vas I sinking?
Have you seen this one?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha NO! I have not! That’s excellent!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep, it cracks me up. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My best airport memory/story doesn’t involve going into the actual airport. You see, when I was in high school, I lived in a small New England town and in the neighboring town, there was a very small airport. I don’t even think any commercial flights happened there. The parking area was very dark and never patrolled by any sort of law enforcement.
My boyfriend and I used to go “parking” there all the time.
That’s my favorite airport.
Hope you have a great trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh la la! What a great airport story – I love it!
And thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Best song ever!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m kind of addicted to it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hear ya… It never gets old. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
LMAO!!! First, yes. Fuck high school. I’m forty years past it and still traumatized by the experience.
I hate Atlanta’s airport because they left me on the tarmac for seven and a half hours when the cockpit of the seven-forty-fucker kept going dark every time the pilot tried to throttle up. Bad enough we were all aware this was happening (because the lights would all blink and go out) but when the Maytag repair guy showed up with a socket set from Sears and started tinkering with the panel – we panicked.
I was sitting next to an Air Force Captain who turned to me and said “I want off this fucker!” They finally decided it didn’t have the juice to make it off the ground and towed us back to the gate only to be told that our flight crew had run out of time so we would have to wait for a new one to arrive.
You’ve reminded me of my first flight but it’s too long and I think it will make a post for you to have to come read.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good lord, that sounds horrible and nerve-wracking to say the least! I’m glad they finally got y’all off of that plane!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we were going to storm the doors. Tempers were flaring and toilets were overflowing. NOT GOOD.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Getting pulled aside for “random” searches back when I had a beard and was tan from working outside all summer. I had a flight that involved three layovers and each time I got pulled in for a “random” check. That has to be one of my fave airport tales. There is another one where I forgot I had something in my bag (medals) and when I couldn’t find them (they were in one of those secret pockets) the security team got progressively more and more aggressive, ah fun times. Other than those mishaps I usually have a pretty smooth time. If you like turbulence (I know I do) fly over the pacific, I’ve never not had a flight over the pacific without near roller-coaster levels of turbulence.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gah that sounds terrible. I’ve had my bags searched, but I’ve never had my person searched. I would be an absolute wreck.
Gotta love that profiling, though. All bearded and tanned and ALLAHHHHHHH BOOM! I suppose that’s how many people see it these days.
Sounds like I just need to try flying over the Pacific again. I need roller-coaster turbulence to feed my tiny inner adrenaline junky.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok. First of all, I LOVE the Newark airport! Seriously. Also, I have a favorite airport story That was at Newatk. I was standing in line behind this guy who I could tell was a douche. Not to be judgey, but from the back he looked older, he wore a polo shirt with the collar flipped up, he was leaning to one side with his hand in his pocket. His self tanning lotion was smeared lopsided on his arms and he wore a messanger bag across his front. He turns around and it’s JOHN EDWARDS the politician douche right after the big scandal!! He looked so gross!
I was more traumatized than your chicken. (Ok. Maybe not) 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe judgey, but I promise you my douche alarm would have been going full throttle. And ewwwww John Edwards! Yet another sicko from Louisiana. And people still love him!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I loved flying, then I HATED it, and now I don’t really mind it too much. But I’m still always a bit anxious, but I like take off and landing. Turbulence, not so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha! I know! What is wrong with me? Gimme turbulence, baby!
Of course, that’s easy for me to say. It’s highly likely I haven’t experienced the super scary oh my god I’m gonna die turbulence!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I travel a good bit. Know that O’Hare (Chicago) comes from an old Irish brogue that loosely translates to “flight delay.” Atlanta is a cruel joke – no moving walkways and they cut the physical education budget. And Newark and Philly are the twin armpits of hell.
Detroilet’s OK. Fairly clean, not great food, been stranded there too many times. But at least they have free wifi now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wait wait wait….
DETROILET! Hahahaha! That’s fantastic!
And I’m so glad you agree about Newark. Everyone else seems to like it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hope you have a great time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Honestly, I am just so glad I’m not the only weirdo that likes turbulence. I don’t get to fly very often, but I am also the one that is super psyched about a shaky plane. My fiance hates flying because he’s 6’7″ and planes are not built to accommodate his ridiculously long legs and he grumbles at me the whole time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh geez, I bet he does get uncomfortable! But I’m super glad to have found someone else who feels the way I do about the shaking plane! It’s super funtimes! 😀
LikeLike
Great stories as ever Steph, you really do sell the sizzle with your writing!
I must confess, I do not mind planes or flying and have never felt any issue with any of the planes I have been on LARGE or small…. but I fucking HATE airports and every single fucking thing related to the spasticfuckingcolon holes that they are.
They can suck my balls because airports are full of fucktards and hoofwanking bunglecunts. I simply fucking HATE airport people. The folks that work there are okay ish but the folks that travel through them? CUNTS.
And that is all I have to say on airports.
LikeLiked by 2 people
HAHAHAHAHA! Oh my god, Cameron! That’s the best comment EVER! Hahahaha oh shit, my coworkers are NOT pleased with me at the moment! I’m in tears! THANK YOU!!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad you like it!!
And if they are pleased, well fuck them hoofwanking bunglecunts as well…!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s still the best fucking insult EVER! You have got me in stitches!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad you approve 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the UK, I lived a stone’s throw away from Gatwick Airport (did you know they use ‘stone’ as a weight measurement there? 1 stone = 14 lbs), and took several flights a year to different places in Europe (and once to North Africa). Mind you, I’m not swimming in money (I prefer swimming in my Olympic-sized heated indoor swimming pool)…budget airlines make air travel around Europe so affordable. Also, with the relatively short distances to get from one place to another, the flights are short and sweet (3 hours tops). I miss my long-weekend getaways! (I know how spoiled I sound. :-P)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aw I want a long weekend getaway! That sounds awesome. I’d love to live in Europe and go on weekend jaunts all over the place! Prague. Let’s go to Prague.
ANd now I wanna go swimming!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve got good taste, woman! Prague is a gorgeous medieval city…Bruges, Tallinn, and Dubrovnik are as well. (Yes, I know they’re all in different countries, but the good thing in Europe is that you don’t have to go through border control when you cross over to another country. Oh, and I’m not randomly listing names of places…I’ve visited all of those cities myself.
We can swim in the Vltava River!
On second thought, maybe not.
http://www.abcprague.com/2008/08/11/swimming-in-prague-vltava-river-at-ones-own-risk
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Bruges and Dubrovnik! Let us go! Girl trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Une escapade entre filles…c’est vraiment trippant! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Levons l’enfer à Prague! Ou tout simplement rôder autour prendre des photos et en sirotant du vin. Cela fonctionne aussi! (Mon Dieu, j ‘espère que dit ce que je veux dire!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tabarnak, je n’ai rien compris! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tout ce que je craignais!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Je te taquine simplement…j’ai compris ce que tu voulais dire. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cela est contre la loi! Tu es un criminel plus recherchés après! Mais je viens de dire Hmph Hmph Hmph!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tu as tort…je ne suis pas un criminel, je suis UNE CRIMINELLE. Et ils ne me trouveront JAMAIS. Bwwwwaaahahahah
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tu es une femme cruelle cruelle de souligner mon horrible français!
Mais…je pense que je peux le trouver dans mon petit cœur de te pardonner!
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘Une femme cruelle’ – tu as utilisé le genre correct! Youpi!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
HAHAHAHA! You rascal!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Je suis une coquine. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person