Fly, baby, fly

I had a couple of interesting cultural experiences on my flight. 

One thing to note: do not travel in boots.  Only those people wearing boots were asked to take them off.  And, of course, all jackets had to be removed.

On the way to Amsterdam I was supposed to have a window seat but a couple were already sat in the row and they had left the aisle seat free.  I weighed up whether I was bothered or not about sitting by the window and, considering the time the flight was (55 mins) and that I could stretch out in the aisle seat I accepted the free seat.

Amsterdam felt chaotic.  My flight to Detroit was already boarding so I headed straight there.

I had bought a lucozade and pack of crisps at Birmingham airport to keep for my long flight - not realising that I would have to go through security again at Amsterdam.  So the guy wanted to confiscate my bottle so I opened it and practically drank the whole thing as quickly as possible with him hassling me to hand it over.  Then I went through the body scan and was told to come back as I had put my laptop in my case and it needed to come out.  (There was no sign saying so anywhere, I guess everyone else wears theirs). After that I had to wait to get on the 'plane and a nice American couple began chatting to me after looking at the book I was reading.  I don't think that would have ever happened if they were British!

Once on the 'plane a man was sat in my seat and when I finally tracked down the flight attendant the guy didn't speak any English so a nonsensical conversation went on as he insisted he was in the right seat and the attendant insisted he was not.  I said I could sit in his seat instead but the attendant said, "You will sit there".  I think she thought it was a better seat and she was not going to let him dictate to her.

When the meal was brought around the attendant said, "beverage?" I asked for a cup of tea.  She looked at me like I had 6 heads!  "Hot drinks are later," she said.  I have never travelled on an aeroplane before where hot drinks do not come with the meal - and I have travelled a lot!  Anyway, only coffee appeared later so I settled for that.  Actually, tea usually tastes yuck on a 'plane anyway.  Cold and weak.

I got out of immigration before Bonnie and her parents arrived but I was thrilled when Bonnie greeted me with a flask of hot, good tea.

The simple pleasures of life.