I am writing from a metal tube cruising through the sky at 913 Km/h. I got a full 90 minutes of sleep for the first time in over 36 hours (I’m not even tired)
I might be a little bit early to say this, seeing as we have 5,5 hours left until we land, but I think this is the best flight I’ve ever been on. I’m on a Boeing 787 that is only about two thirds full. I was supposed to have a middle seat but the window seat next to me was open so I scooted over. I slept through the meal delivery, but the flight attendant asked me if I wanted anything before I even thought to ask. I looked at him dumbfounded when he said that one of the meal options was Salmon Salad. Oh. My. Goodness. After hours of mediocre and overpriced airport food, the salad hit the spot. Salmon, served with a cream cheese dressing atop a bed of spring greens and Quinoa. I drizzled some olive oil on it and savored every bite. The dark chocolate almond toffee at the end really sealed the deal. Best meal I’ve had while traveling by far.
We just crossed over Panama while I’m writing this. South America here I come! I think it’s a funny coincidence that I’m leaving the US during Biden’s farewell address. I didn’t pat attention to it. I haven’t been paying attention to the news a lot, as self-centered as that feels. There’s no wifi on this flight so I’ve been playing Pocket Planes, I’m trying to unlock the Santiago airport in the game so I can replicate the flight paths that “m taking today.
Time zones are weird, but I think I am approaching 12 (11?) hours til I land in Montevideo. I think that I will crash as soon as I land. I’ve been masking as much as I can, but I still feel a sickness looming over me that will likely hit me like a truck once the adrenaline of traveling is out of my system. We will have to wait and see. I fear that Uruguayan customs may be the final nail in the coffin for me. Navigating Miami and the Latam flight has been tricky, since my Spanish is definitely not where it should be, whoops. I’ve been getting by! It will come with time.
I spoke with the person who was sitting next to me a little bit as we were waiting for the plane to take off (we had to sit inside for an extra hour due to maintenance delays) I thought my 2 connection flight was bad, but she is traveling from Cambodia to Chile, which is 5 connections. An 8 hour flight directly after a 13 hour flight would kill me methinks. I could not do it. She speaks 5 languages and has been teaching English for the last several years while traveling to Nepal and India. She was telling me about her trips to all the different places she’s been; Russia, Uruguay, Nepal, India, Cambodia, Chile (where she grew up) and more. I fear that her path may also be my future. I would love to see as many places as she has, and speak 5 languages??? What a feat (I’m struggling with 3, my brain sometimes switches the phrases around in my head.)
Anyway, despite having caffeinated tea recently, I am going to try to sleep more! Hopefully you will hear more from me when I land.
-Pico Pastelle
