Sad People On Vacation
Photo: Nonqaba waka Msimang |
Nobody smiles at airports, especially outside the departure
lounge. Families and lovers are still
mad at each other because of pre-flying arrangements: bags full of clothes
nobody will wear, hogging the bathroom, leaving home late, getting caught in
traffic and nearly missing the flight.
Still no smiles at the airport. Check in.
Bags are over the weight limit.
Accusations start flying. I told you so. Calm finally
prevails and everybody is settled in the departure lounge. The intercom shatters the
peace with that dreaded message: the flight has been delayed.
Passengers board after a few hours. First time travellers insist on the window
seat. Seasoned travellers know aisle
seat advantages: walking up and down the aisle for some exercise and going to
the bathroom without bothering anybody.
Ah! The bathroom.
Window seat has problems. He is a
frequent flyer to the bathroom, making you regret the aisle seat decision. There were no smiles in the departure lounge,
on the plane but paradise awaits.
The Lufthansa flight lands smoothly and passengers
disembark. Shuttle to the hotel. Open hotel suite.
‘It’s not like online
photos.’Still no smiles. C’est la vie, pardon my French.
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
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