Tears in Heaven

Posted on 2007/05/28 13:24:26 (May 2007).

Suspended above the ground at an altitude of exactly 11125 meters, moving quickly at the average speed of 900 Km an hour over Siberia, close to Stanovoy Mountains to be precise, I have just finished what is becoming a classic of my recent air travels.

Fist of all the spot of bad luck, that I solely blame on me flying Economy and not Business anymore.
To be very honest it is just another way to winge about the fact that Business Class trips are a distant memory, I used to have similar experiences also when times were better under the flights point of view.

Anyways, the spot of bad luck us the fact that the person next to me, a classic Japanese man, has one of the worst breaths that I have ever let my smelling papillae feel in, say, thirty-two years.
It's really foul, it smells like damp muddy dog with an hint of your “grandmother stale biscuit”, garnished with mouldy lemons.
It's really SHITE, twelve bloody hours next to this guy, the stench comes in waves, it's really unbeatable.
In a total belligerent way I am taking to letting all the nastiest smells out of my body or clothes, firstly by removing my shoes (that should be banned by Nato), then by eating very garlicky food, and finally, by releasing the mighty lethal gas known as F.A.R.T.

Nothing works though, his breath is simply too strong, now it even gained an hint of gone off potato.

Anyways, if this might satisfy your curiosity for such a strange title (when did I even made normal titles anyways), I am afraid that the explanation has yet to come.

As I was saying, on the top of being quite unlucky in meeting the companions of these trips, as you know I cannot sleep so I watch the movies that are kindly presented on board.
Economy doesn't have any selection it's either that or that, so I watched already two films that I had already seen. No problem, it's good training for my English.
The recurrent happening is the fact that there is always a classical love movie, one of those movies that you will NEVER EVER go to see.
Fine, no probs.
Every flight I ride, every time I watch one of these masterpieces, well, I cry.
Yes I get all soft and soppy, and shed one or two tears.
Mind you, only a couple!
I am quite tempted to go and see one of these in Florence, in a proper theatre, to see if it is just the travel, stress (and stench) factor, or if I am indeed moved to romantic heights by these stories...

Anyways two hours to go, then other two to be at the hotel where I will be able to enjoy the short single bed, the Barbie sized wardrobe, and all those welcoming Tokyo noises.

Me too Lox! I always get a bit teary whilst watching the films when I'm on the plane - something to do with the altitude? Or the pressure? Or being very tired?

Or maybe just the fact that I'm constantly scared shitless while I'm in the air?

On the way over to San Francsisco in January, I was pleasantly surprised to find Virgin had a couple of Japanese movies (odd, as it was a UK - US flight).

So I watched Always san-chôme no yûhi, which, incidentally I found to be a great film, but it is rather sentimental, and filled me with feelings of regret about leaving Tokyo. So I was quite literally sobbing on the plane - the young lady sitting next to me wasn't quite sure what to make of it (but I imagine she cherished the fact there are still some men in the world capable of showing their emotions, and that little incident added a sense of hope to her otherwise futile and meaningless existence).

So, I conclude, you and me are among the greatest people on the planet.

The end.

Posted by John at 2007/05/28 17:41:03.

I couldn't agree more! :D

We are among the greatest people ever!

Going back on Earth, for a second I thought that the Japanese chap next to me (the stinky pot) would have thought that the stench was so unbearable that I was crying, but having said that I can't be arsed he should be bombed by the US as a preventive attack on "dirty" weapons.

Posted by Lox at 2007/05/28 23:21:21.

You...? Tears?!! Now now... You're not that kind of guy, are you?
If a basic, insensitive Italian macho can shed tears, maybe the world is not heading for disaster after all...

Posted by Sheri at 2007/05/29 13:29:10.

Sheri: As John pointed out it was probably the height that did it.. .(YEAH AS IF...!!) :D

Posted by Lox at 2007/05/29 13:47:56.

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