We are a herd and the security guards who line the security lines at airports are border collies. And this is the feeling of traveling by plane today. Lowcosts in operation, elitism in part with the world accessible to pollutants and the ignorant, more tourist class here, more miles and speedy boarding there, what is certain is that it takes many hours before and after the flight itself, stolen from our busy lives and full of tasks. What about the stress we are subjected to due to the luggage that it is difficult for us to carry at the time of boarding? Wow, what an “at ease”, what a hood…
Hopeful as I can be, I admit that there is still glamor in fastening our seat belt as if we were wearing a rare and expensive designer piece to match our outfit. Although far from the times when on-board staff were meticulously chosen for their look and extremely fit and cared for, we still feel peaceful when we are in the clouds, even if we are among backpackers and travelers who insist on traveling in socks. So where does this peace come from? Is it the altitude drug? I don't have a single answer, but as a nature lover that I am (aren't we all, theoretically?) I am pleased to see us little ones down there as we take off and the magic of realizing that, above the clouds, there is always blue sky and sun , even though the day was rainy and gray. And we can squirm and plug in our devices, but the peace of being collectively inaccessible and truly disconnected, off the grid seems to me the most powerful feeling of all that contributes to the mindfulness of air travel. I also want to believe that, when traveling, we all learn to appreciate the route and not just the destination and make better use of this moment when we are enclosed in this flying can, carpeted and artificially air-conditioned. You can see nothing more than clouds and we need to miss them to appreciate them, which those who travel every day or many hours must find little fun. I am a fan of traveling across the landscape, being able to see and contemplate even in slower journeys such as by train or bicycle, but it would be presumptuous to consider myself a slow traveler unless it is a question of mentality and therefore, I am a slow traveler. contradiction of enjoying being in the clouds despite the unpleasantness of the carbon footprint.
In this chaos of “busyness” and “busyness” and for the sake of mental health, let us be able to do and promote what calms us down and slow down to appreciate small things that are not so small.
So, "any kick in a plane" as Cole Porter mentions in his song?
Comments