Thursday, July 6, 2017

Dramatic Skies


I’m posting a bit later than usual, but of course that’s because it’s 6 a.m. where I am now. I’m sleeping in my 4-year-old niece’s room (she has joined her sister across the hall), and I’m surrounded by colorful plastic toys and school art projects. There’s a papier-mâché horse, and a rainbow-colored spiraling tower — I’m not even sure what it is. I vaguely remember it, maybe from a Christmas past.

I’m glad to finally be here. I flew to Jacksonville via a connection in Charlotte. The flights were smooth enough but we had some delays thanks to thunderstorms around the Charlotte airport. The bad news: delays. The good news: spectacular clouds after we finally took off.

Isn't it amazing to think that when we fly, we see a view of the world that was unthinkable for our great-grandparents or, indeed, any earlier generations? All the millions of people who lived on Earth before the Wright brothers never saw clouds quite like this.


Back at Heathrow, at the start of my transatlantic odyssey, the plane — operated by American Airlines — was apparently so large that it couldn’t dock directly to the terminal. Instead we had to be ferried in buses, and then climb stairs from the tarmac to the door. So retro!

“I feel like Mamie Eisenhower,” said a man next to me on the bus.

“Better than Gerald Ford,” I replied.

I spent all my time on the flight reading, finishing “Gilead” by Marilynne Robinson, which was beautifully written but maybe too religious and philosophical for me, and “Sunshine State” by Sarah Gerard, a book of engrossing Florida-themed essays. I also polished off a New Yorker with a fascinating article by a man whose dentist was involved in a sordid and peculiar extramarital affair that ultimately led to him being accused of murder.


In Charlotte, I had a couple of hours to kill before my flight to Jacksonville. So I went to a restaurant called the Tequileria, or something like that, and had a glass of wine. I amused myself by texting Dave — who reported that Olga was sound asleep in my absence, so I guess she doesn’t miss me — and by watching CNN and listening to the patrons around me. One woman ordered a “double gin & tonic in a short glass,” which seemed strangely specific. I suppose a short glass allows less room to dilute the gin. I don’t know why she doesn’t just order a martini.

And then I got my bill. I ordered a 9-ounce Sauvignon Blanc, which I figured would come to eight to ten bucks. No — it was TWENTY-SIX DOLLARS. I paid it as if I buy wine like that all the time, but inwardly, I was aghast.

My brother and mom met me at the Jax airport last night, and I had just enough time before collapsing into bed to meet my brother’s family dog Queens. (There used to be a Brooklyn, too, but Brooklyn proved to be too rambunctious and had to go live with another family.) Queens and I will get along fine. Don't tell Olga.

13 comments:

  1. Welcome back stateside. Enjoy your family.

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  2. I hope I am never too old or too jaded to appreciate the wonder of looking down at the earth from cloud-level or higher.
    Those pictures are beautiful!
    Well, welcome back to the states. I predict that by the time your visit is over, you'll be so glad to go back to London.

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  3. I used to always want a window seat but somehow my luck always puts me over the wing so now I prefer an aisle seat. though I do still enjoy looking down on the earth.

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  4. I love the cloud shots! I totally agree with you about flying. When I was doing all that traveling for work I had a conversation with my dad about how my grandfather would be amazed that while he took a bus to work, I took a jet plane. I feel like I've had exactly the same experience in the Charlotte airport. They serve the world's most expensive cheap wine.

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  5. Love the clouds and always enjoyed people-watching in airports. It sounds like your stay is off to a good start and Queens sounds almost as interesting as Olga.

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  6. Those cloud photos are spectacular! Wow in every way. Glad your flights went well and that you are already enjoying time with the family and furry friends.

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  7. Are there dollies and teddy bears in your Barbie-pink bedroom and do your feet hang over the end of the bed? What's that river you saw from the sky?

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  8. Have a great time at home, Dave! Looking forward to all your entries and photos while you're there (here; kinda; okay, on this side of the pond).

    Your remarks reminded me of my thoughts about what the people 100 years from now may be doing -- things that right now we don't even imagine being possible, let alone everyday activities for many. Wish we could still be around to see it!

    -Kate

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  9. Those photos, wow! Enjoy your visit!

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  10. I live about an hour from the Charlotte airport! Although in my current condition I couldn't have gone to meet you anyway - but for future reference :)

    I love pictures taken from airplanes - always so cool!

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  11. I still wonder at the kies, clouds and land going by when I fly. I like a window seat so I can view everything.

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  12. Same question as YP. What's that river and where is it (then I don't have to look it up on the web) and isn't that a spectacular photograph? All that water and all those tributaries.

    Alphie

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