In-flight Comforts?

I know how New Zealand sounds so far away to most people and really it is pretty far. However, I feel it is all a matter of perspective. To me, the long flights are not bad as long as you provide yourself with lots of entertainment.

In example, I always travel with my Vaio, Play Station Portable, e-book and a set of noise canceling headphones (I find myself constantly seated by the screaming baby). That way I can watch movies, play games, read and do it all in my own little world. Although, I do like to talk to the people around me from time to time, lately I have not sat beside anyone of interest but I try. Most people are content with sitting in their undersized seat and watch the in-flight movies.

Ugh, seating. I am lucky in the fact that I scored with the tiny Asian gene, I fit in any seat with room to spare. I am very grateful for this when I see bigger people stuffed in those small seats with only 32cms of space separating the rows and they are almost completely stuck for 14 hours. Seems like legal torture that we pay for.

Aside from the miniature seats, baggage is something that really annoys me. I am always trying to dodge the luggage weigh stations, especially for my snowboard bag. It’s hard to pack your career into one bag that is less than 50lbs. Tickets should include a total weight limit that includes your body weight and baggage weight. I guess that’s one more step to a more perfect world that won’t be taken for a long time.

Still, transportation has come a long way over the past 100 years. People get stressed about sitting on a plane for a long time; well imagine if that was a boat or a wagon. Now imagine you have to cross rough open ocean seas or a barely marked bumpy road with dangerous people down it. Even though that flight may not always cater to our first world comforts, it’s still leaps and bounds better then travel as close as 20 years ago.

Thinking about these things always makes me feel better about the long haul down there to the other side of the world. Particularly because I just got home a few days ago but I will be going back down under for a camp in just ten days (it worked out to be the same cost to stay there while I took a break or to come home and take a break. Sleeping in my own bed is almost priceless at this time). I also try to enjoy the travel as much as possible because I know my life will never be like this again. I try my best to savor moments and preserve the memories.