Apparently, we will have to go through the whole crazy Amaercican security system. It's rumoured, they do an iris, scan, and fingerprints too. As well as all the other annoyances, like the metal detector, gate, and the wand run all over your body, and the hand search over your clothes. Everything electrical out of your bags, your make up, and personal stuff kept under 100ml, and put on show, in a security bag. It's as if I became a criminal overnight, on the flight somewhere. Why should my fingerprints, or retina scan be put on record,? why would I have to give up my shoes, and walk barefoot along beside the escalator with my bags on it? I, who have been law abiding all my life.
Its not as if I look suspicious. I am the nearest thing the to the stereotype little old lady you are likely to find. Not a terrorist, although, I can see that the might be the way they are made! Especially, if they get as aggravated at I do. The general frustration of travel, and inflexible rules. Despite me looking even less threatening, innocent, especially after twenty four hours without sleep. I cannot sleep, and I can feel myself becoming crazier by the hour. As soon as my body knew it was supposed to sleep sitting up, it started. I desperately need to lie down, except I am not one of the lucky ones who can afford the expensive seats to do so. It didn't help, that on the way in, they walked us through first class, and business class, so we could see just what we didn't have. As we reached cattle class, I looked with dismay at the rows of close seating. Noting at least one extra seat was squashed in where it did not fit. There were not even corresponding gaps for feet, at each seat. It did not compute, under the ones in front. OK, so it's sitting on each other's hips again. Great!
The tension built quickly in my hips, spreading to my thighs, and even my hands now want to clutch, and flex. Bend in ways they are not supposed to. I have a full blown case of restless leg syndrome. I cannot still them. It's as if there are electric shocks running through my nerve endings. For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about. All I can say is, enjoy it. You do not want to know, for there lies madness. Argggggg. What to do with myself? It is so uncomfortable, soooo very 'crazed making' uncomfortable. To sit like a twitching fool, with everything on the move.
I dozed briefly once, but it did not last. Now, in desperation, I am writing this. Thinking, hoping, the activity may stop the jumps shredding my arms, and legs.... and my fingers bent, and moving, crab like, like a witches. Sleeping figures each side of me. I can't even walk. No matter how I sit on this silly, hard, too small seat. I cannot get comfortable. For gods sake, let me lie down somethwere. No, the plane is almost full, no chance of that. There are hundreds of the poor buggers, all pretending they have enough room.
After about four hours of this, I escape from the seat, for the umpteenth time. Suddenly, standing up, I feel ill, sick, and dizzy. A nice hostess, gets me water, and shows me a handle to hang on to, if it gets rough. Well, it's true most of the flight has been bumpy. Ooh good, at least I can grip that, and not end up on the floor, completely. I resist going back to the seat. Hang around the drinks section, walk the corridors, find a magazines, anything.
I have taken pain killers, massaged, and manipulated my joints, exercised my legs, nothing improves it. I may be crazy through pure frustration, by the end of this flight. No, the USA is only the half way mark. Going back all the way to London, ooh, make it stopppppp.
At the drinks section again, the other end of the corridor this time, I find a magazine, and ask for a cup of tea, with whiskey. Anything to relax my nerves, and muscles. With my drink in hand, the whole cabin dark except for tv's, most people asleep with still another five hours to go. I find a 'crew' chair, with one opposite. God. I can actually get my feet up, and my legs straight, ahhh it is bliss. Sitting there drinking my hot tea, is the best I have felt since embarking. My cup is empty, the plane lurches around with even more abandon. I don't care, the crews elsewhere, I am staying here, where I can get my legs straight. My legs are already swollen, my ankles gone...attractive.
The next thing I know! I am asleep with my mouth open, and a crew member is telling me it's crew seats, and I can't sit there. Of course, I was well aware of that fact. But I say "OK, I know", and am having to return to my seat, for more turbulence. Wonderful....did he really have to wake me, could he not have left me. The whole crew by now, know my problems. Could he not have taken pity on me, and let me sleep.
No, I and the dreaded seat, are together again. What now? The struggle for rest continues, I feel like a zombie by now. As well as jiffling, and fidgeting I must have driven my neighbours mad too. Neither take any notice of me, not even the one I am travelling with. I could die here, why don't you dooo something for me? I guess restlessness, isolates you. Or perhaps we really have slipped into a different reality. We have crossed the time line, the aquator, and are slowly travelling backwards to yesterday. It's an interesting concept, is it not? We arrive at lunch time, of the same day, we departed just before midnight. Clever hey!
I must have dozed, breakfast is here. Oho ohhhh, none for me thank you! A cup of tea, is all I can manage after such a night. Only another hour, and a half to go.
Then I can stretch my legs, maybe grab a shower? I wonder..... The heat might stop it happening again. I notice my little nap has stopped it anyway. So, perhaps it's just about getting a complete relax.
Fingers crossed......for the next half of the journey.
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