My first flight experience

 Ever been excited about a wedding? Hell, yes! Ever been excited for the return journey… umm… what?

Well, the year was 2018. The month was February. My best friend was getting married. I was invited. It was a destination wedding in Goa. Usually Goa is famous because “Goa ke plans kabhi successful hue hai kya?” and this has stood true to the test of time. Well, this plan of mine was happening.

Being a teacher, I find it difficult to move freely throughout the year but February brings some relief. Students were preparing for their exams, I was done teaching the syllabus and was easily managing practice paper schedule. Still, I didn’t have time to stay in Goa after the wedding. And that is how I ended up booking my first ever flight ticket. Wow! I couldn’t believe it. I was finally going to travel by plane. The happiness was elevated because I had booked the ticket with my own income. I had earned the happiness myself.

I went to Goa. Attended the wedding and mind you, it was totally fun to be in another state, and enjoy with friends. After the wedding, the excitement doubled because it was my first ever journey by flight. My friend and I reached the airport on time. She was going to Mumbai and me, to Pune. Right from the security check to the getting the tag attached to the handle of my bag to reaching near the boarding gate... every moment was a thrill for me. Every moment got me high. Every moment got me excited.

My friend’s flight was delayed but mine was on time. The boarding gate opened. My friend and I said goodbye and I entered the gate and started towards my plane. My first ever flight journey! I boarded the plane and sat in my seat (window seat). The plane started moving towards the runway. I looked out of the window, observing every moment of the plane. I didn’t want to miss out on anything. The plane took its position on the runway and it started moving. My excitement knew no bounds. I kept looking out of the window. I had to, I had to... I just had to witness the wheels of the plane leaving the runway and the plane going upwards. The plane gathered speed suddenly; as if someone had pulled the accelerator all of a sudden and then, I started seeing everything tilted. The plane had left the runway, lifted itself in the air and was going upwards towards the clouds. I could see the beauty of Goa through the window. How tiny it all looked! It was a 40 minute flight and even though I had my Kindle and headphones, I didn’t even touch it. I kept clicking pictures and looking outside. The pilot announced that the landing was in a couple of minutes. As I kept looking outside the window, I saw the city and then the airport. Touchdown was an equally thrilling experience. As the plane kept coming closer to the ground, I realised that it was in speed. The closer it came to the runway, the more I could witness its speed. Touchdown! It felt as if you have woken up and realised that you are being driven at a great speed. The plane started to slow down and the pilot parked it at one of the parking gates. I got off the plane and waited for my luggage. I even thought about a solution just in case my bag had got misplaced but that was too filmy to expect, I guess. I kept looking as my I saw my bag came nearer and as stylishly as I could, picked it up at the perfect timing. What an experience it was!

P.S.: I was 27 when I first boarded the plane. My parents yet haven’t. One day, they will… I will make sure they do. :)

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