By Miriam Erasmus
Hannah, Jade, Lea and co
As I told you last year, I have been visiting Europe during the Northern Hemisphere Summer for my annual folk singing tour = the gigs pay for my airfare so I can visit family and friends. The time has rolled around again so quickly !!
I went in the Winter once – never again, it was too dark and cold !!
I missed a couple of years at the beginning of this decade, but otherwise it has been a ‘tradition’.
I have an absolutely unreasoned panic stricken phobia of red tape. My long suffering family are very kind.
Then the other day I read –
“Fear is putting your Faith in Evil”
and it jolted my psyche like a ton of bricks.
I had been putting my faith into something going wrong – nothing ever did – and it ruined the three weeks before each flight as my stomach was in knots and I spend a fortune on Rescue Remedy !!
This time, I thought, it will be different, and for the first two of the three preflight weeks, I was fine.
I made myself a ‘to do’ list and have kept to it. Like things to buy to take for family, and how little clothing I can get away with. Do I have all the documentation etc etc……..
Then the panic nerves set in like a ton of bricks. I have never before had such painful stomach nerves – like an internal tumble dryer the whole day.
The last night was the worst, and to cap it all a rat decided to wake me every hour, scratching in another part of the room each time, and each time, being dead still when I turned the light on and banged about a bit.
I woke up very tired, and not too happy with one rodent.
My son ( my rock ) was ready with the first coffee, and then I kept myself busy at home until the very last minute. Remaking my bed – in case visitors come whilst I am away. Putting all my washing in the basket. Catching up on FB. Having a shower and drying my hair in the African sun – the last I shall feel for 3 months ! Then packing and making sure my ‘to do’ list and packing list were 100 %.
Into the car and off to Durban airport on a picture perfect May morning. Chatting away in the car as usual. Sid came with me to check in – which was a breeze as I only have hand luggage – then big hugs and kisses and loads of waves as I wove through the departure check.
So now, I am officially on my way, and the nerves have reduced to a host of butterflies !!
Going through Johannesburg airport was easier than I thought, and I managed to get a photo of the giant statue.
Then on to the second leg of my journey.
Report on the flight.
Well, that was a flight from Hell, or a lesson in how great folks are, depending which way I look at it.
From the ‘get go’ as I sat down, I could feel the old electric shocks taking over my body, and all night long, I was jerking from head to toe – back arching backwards as the shocks took effect.
This is not a new thing – happens every flight, but not usually the whole flight.
So – back to the galley to chat to the crew as usual. What a lovely bunch of young people. No judgement that I was there, just a gentle understanding and a profound interest in my stories about life on the road.
My vegan meal had not registered on the system so they bent over backwards to find me some lovely food, and made sure my return flight reflected my meal choice.
OK so the night was a nightmare – then the morning came and at 4.30am breakfast was served and purely by accident, I knocked the coffee in its paper cup and my lap was doused with hot coffee. I screamed in pain, and they crew immediately rushed to get burn plasters and minister to me in the toilet cubicle, Fortunately no skin damage, but my dress was sopping wet and I didn’t have any day clothes to change into. So- back to the galley where the convection of warm air soon dried my dress and they filled out an accident report.
All the time with great concern and respect. They were kind enough to gather round for a “gratitude” photo, and I hope I am lucky enough to come across them in another Virgin flight someday.
O.R.Tambo
