Jet Air! I knew from the moment Sheetal handed me a nice, warm, moist towel that something fantastic was in store for me, this flight tonight. Alas, I was wrong. The flight was uneventful, unless you count the Mitch Hedburg-like delivery of the captain over the PA and that the safety video was in Hindustani. Dinner was rice, orange dal and green sag paneer, arranged in the same order as the flag of the Ivory Coast. Instead of little a little tub of butter there was pickle. Soft piano versions of 'Human Nature' (MJ’s) and 'Love me Tender' (The King’s) filled the cabin until shortly after dinner, when all the lights were suddenly turned out. Luckily, the flight was almost empty and I moved to an empty row, took a sleeping pill with the last of dinner's wine and called it a night. I had briefly contemplated watching Inception (again) or one of the classic Bollywood movies they had on offer, but then I decided I'd rather pretend to read. It was a total success!
You know, I never fly to Europe in the winter and it was a charming change to see the countryside all covered in snow. Just a light dusting... Still, the runway was all covered in snow and the plane veered wildly before slamming into the terminal building, killing several aboard. Just kidding about the last part.
The terminal was populated with so much orphan luggage. Whole sections of the baggage claim area were impassable because of the clusters of suitcases and duffle bags. Who did these bags belong to? I briefly imagined a scene around a Christmas tree in which a promised gift was not delivered and a child's Christmas was 'spoiled'.
Alain, a friend of my aunt's, came to pick us up from the airport. He drove us to my aunt's place, while regaling us with tales of his exploits as a trumpet player. He once played the trumpet for the Belgian king, who is made of waffles. Just kidding about the last part.
When we got home, my mom decided to take a nap. I decided to go and find the subway. I found it, no problem. It was pretty slippery out; I guess Brusselians don't invest in shovels or salt. I saw one couple doing their best to clear the snow. She was shoveling with something that looked like a miniature garden shovel, or something you would put in the hands of a child who really wanted to help but was too small or something. As the woman shoveled, the man used a tiny broom to sweep away the snow. It looked like an archeological excavation hoping to discover the lost sidewalk more than anything else.
Here's the view from my aunt's place
Here's the view from my aunt's place
No comments:
Post a Comment