Pbenjay's Blog

7 HOURS and 4 MOVIES

I always prefer an aisle seat, in fact I really want an aisle seat because I have this totally ridiculous abhorrence of asking the person next to me to get up so I can go to the restroom.  I know it’s a bit neurotic but I only feel comfortable if I know a bathroom is nearby and accessible.  Added to that craziness is my Germanic insistence of following the rules, so when anyone gets up to use the restroom when the seatbelt sign is still on, I look at them in both wonder and distaste.  Well I guess at this point we are way beyond TMI.

Can’t They Read? You’re Not Supposed To Get Up.

Back to aisle seat choice;  my need to feel comfortable about the restroom comes with the discomfort of the inevitable ex-college football player sitting in front of me. Invariably a LARGE man sits in front of me and the moment the plane lifts off the runway, he pushes his seat back.  Sure enough, there is a giant parked in front of me, he has already pushed his seat back, I’m kissing my kneecaps. We are packed into this particular airplane so tightly that I can’t even bend down to access my handbag.  In fact midway through the flight I tried to take my sneakers off and I couldn’t really reach the shoelaces!

The plane took off about 5:45pm, however, our cheery-voiced captain assured us he would get us to Italy on time.  Soon we were cruising along at high altitude and we settled in to see what was available on the TV screen in front of us.  Wow, things have changed-no longer are the airlines selling you earphones, they give them to you.  There are no longer just one or two choices of a movie, now you can pick from several categories.  I’m happy and Peter is in heaven.  He always says how wonderful it would be if everyone just left him alone so he could watch TCM (Turner Classic Movies) all day.  This came pretty close to that nirvana.  

Being able to sit quietly, if not uncomfortably, to watch a film of your choice is a wonderful way to while away the monotonous hours.  Then again, for some reason, the whole experience begins to take on a zombie-like experience.  The fact is I watched 4 movies and am not sure I can remember them all.  I know I watched Hacksaw Ridge because twice during the movie I sort of jumped in my seat and made a sound as a particularly scary scene evolved.  Peter grabbed my arm and asked me what was wrong! I’m sure I also watched All We Had, a movie about a mother-daughter relationship and their sad journey through poverty and bad boy friends – I looked it up today on IMDB – it got 2 1/2 stars!

After they served dinner, a “interesting” chicken meal with the requisite cold roll, pathetic salad and crackers with a blob of cheese.  LOL I sound derisive but I ate the whole thing including the blueberry muffin. 

Soon most of the plane is sleeping but not us.  Given we usually keep vampire-like hours at home, I can’t imagine trying to sleep at 9:30 at night.  I have to admit at some point I thought it might be wise to try to sleep.  I blew up my neck cushion, took off the earphones and tried to settle down. Not happening!  Better to just give up and play Crossword on the screen.   Every now and then I would glance over at Peter who was deep into some 1940’s movie and revealing in it.  I’m at the point of checking my watch and trying to figure out just how much longer 7 hours really are.

Peter decides he needs something from his carry-on, so in the wee hours of the night, he attempts to open the overhead bin (the one that is above his former seat) and in the course of removing his bag, he knocks a pillow down which lands on the head of the sleeping Dario.  Oh, I forgot to tell you that the very good-looking Italian man who switched seats with Peter was named Dario?  Oh well, more about him later.

                                                                                                             to be continued…