Flights

January 30, 2013 (4:35 P.M.)

                So I finally arrived in Johannesburg, Africa. After rushing to catch my connecting flight in Atlanta – which I’m assuming is the largest airport on the planet – I jumped on my next flight. I’m normally an excellent sleeper as far as planes are concerned but I did not realize it was because I normally had nothing else to do. I’m used to Spirit Airlines and for anyone who flies Spirit, the words uncomfortable, unpleasant and unbearable become normal your normal adjectives. For my international flight I chose Delta and I have to say the whole trip was just lovely. The only problem was I didn’t sleep at all. It wasn’t because of an annoying neighbor, lack of leg room or horrendous food, but rather the unlimited entertainment provided on the screen directly in front of you.

                If you’re like most people, there are always a couple of movies on “your list” meaning you won’t necessarily go out of your way to watch them, but always planned on one day seeing them if they’re conveniently placed in front of your face. What I didn’t realize was Delta would be providing hundreds of movies on “my list” a mere six inches in front of me. After the first one I figured I would watch another. After the second, I ate some food, went to the bathroom and returned to watch the third. The fourth one became blurry as far as my attention was concerned and I completely blacked out for the fifth movie. The 15 hours of flight time flew by, but by the time I arrived in Johannesburg, I realized I hadn’t slept all night and would be forced to stay within the confines of the airport for another dozen hours or so.

                There was a gentleman who entertained me for a little bit during the flight. He was a little hard of hearing and I ended up having to repeat everything I said multiple times before he understood what I said. Our conversation went a little like this...

(For the purpose of this conversation, I’m going to refer to the old man as Red because he reminded me of Morgan Freeman’s character in the Shawshank Redemption)

 

Red: So what brings you to Africa?

Me: I got an internship researching Great White Sharks.

Red: Huh?

Me: I got an internship researching Great White Sharks.

Red: Interesting.

Me: Thanks. I’m excited.

Red: So what got you into cars?

Me: Cars?

Red: Well, trucks more specifically. And does the color matter?

Me: I’m a little confused sir. I’m sorry.

Red: Well do all the trucks have to be white? Does that make a difference or do you only like white ones? And what’s so great about white trucks that you need to go all the way to Africa to research them?

Me: Sir do you think I said Great White trucks?

Red: I had a red truck in my forties.

Me: ...

 

                Eventually we were able to settle the confusion. Don’t worry.