We attempted to leave the country at 8:20am from Perth International Airport. After rising at 5:00am, (scratch that, alarm went off at 5, woke up again at 5:15 and rose at 5:45). One hayfever tablet, one antibiotic, and one cup of lukewarm coffee to start the day, and we tootled off, my Mum practically leaping out of her seat with excitement. She even ran an orange light in her enthusiasm. We arrive at the terminal, stand in a few queues, and the anticapation of departure finally starts to sink through my mushy, sleep addled brain. Waiting in the top lounge for our boarding call, we watch dirty sneakered men ready our plane for takeoff, like worker ants on dope. We board, the tension builds, as the plane's boarding ramp is taken away. It hits me, I'm leaving the country. Then an announcement, "Thankyou for your patience passengers,the aircraft is experiencing technical difficulties which are not rectifiable. I'm afraid I have to ask you to disembark, Quantas apologises for the inconvenience." My ears were blocking, my seatbelt was fastened, I'd done half the cryptic crossword, what do you mean I have to get off?
1 hour later, back in the departure lounge, we're told we will be bussed to Ob City for lunch.. 4 1/2 hours later, back through customs and departure and boarding, then once again through the safety demonstration and my ears start blocking. I'm sitting next to an Austrian woman who takes up too much space, despite her fragile frame, and doesn't want me to put anything on her hat. Where is Mogwi? About 10 rows up from me, they had to squeeze us onto this flight. Peel top orange juice, plastic wrapped headphones, a vomit bag that doubles as an envelope to send off your happy snaps to a printer for $5.95 and thankfully a bit more legroom later, and we're passing effortlessly over fluffy white clouds, calm and serene, but for the ominous rumble of the engine. |
