I decided to add the flight to Day 1 since our scheduled take-off time was 10:00 pm (22:00 for our UK friends).
At 9:15 pm (21:15), we were alerted that our flight had begun boarding. We took the elevator (lift) back down to the first floor and slid our spinner bags down the gang way. We were directed to the right side aisle. I hoisted both bags into the over-head bin and took my seat in front of my mother.
Being a considerate passenger, I preemptively apologized to my seatmate for any annoyances caused on my account, explaining that I was sitting in front of my mother. He felt my pain.
Mom, on her part, settled in to her seat telling everyone around her that she was sick. Not what I would have done, but whatever.
Seeing mom sitting pathetically buckled into her seat, I sat back to enjoy my pre-boarding beverage.
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| My actual seat. |
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| Press caption of VA's PE cabin |
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| Press pic of beverage |
I sucked down the pre-flight beverage so fast I forgot to take a picture of it, but VA claims it looks like this:
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| I actually collect these silly things, so I didn't want to open it. This is also a press pic. |
As this was a night flight, we were also presented with a wash bag.
Shortly after lift off, I got a tap on the head.
I shifted in my seat, leaned back and to the left in a port de bras my ballet teacher Mr. Joseph would have been proud of, but any chiropractor worth their salt would have shunned.
"What's up?" I ask
"I have to go to the bathroom."
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| Port de bras a la Coq |
Ok, this is a slippery slope. My mom hates to use the public bathroom. HATES IT. And she certainly won't lock the door. So yes, I had to get out of my seat follow her to the bathroom, wait while she went in, not lock the door and use it. Good times.
When questioned by the flight attendant, it was explained that my mother is afraid of locking the doors and getting stuck inside. The friendly attendant expressed sympathy and promised to keep an eye on her if I wanted to sleep during the flight. Kudos to you VA!
We get back to our seats. I let the poor guy next to me out and proceed to dig in my bag for my emergency stash of cold meds. I'm not a big fan of western medicine, but I have been sick whilst traveling, and it sucks (more on that later). I offered it to my mom who took the packet and promised to consume the bubbling tablets after she ate. Promises, promises...
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| Evil substance, but it works! |
Ah... time for dinner. Or what passes as an airline dinner these days. I had a choice.
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| Menu (DUH!) |
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| My Choises |
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| Chicken Curry |
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| Theoretical Cheese Cake |
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| Random White Wine |
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| Salmon and Lentil Salad |
I didn't mind my dinner. Judging from the retching noises emanating from the seat behind me, mom did not have the same experience.
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| Heh. One must take amusement where one can find it. |
Just as dinner service was ending, the flight attendant came by offering a choice of Amerula, sparkling wine or water. As if...
| Mmmm... |
After dinner, we began the entertainment section of the flight. Of course my in-flight entertainment system didn't work, so I spent several hours staring at this:
Thankfully I had my lovely Nexus 7 loaded with books to read.
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| Joy. |
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| Nexus 7, yeah, woo! |
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| Blankly. Into. Space. |
