I don't believe how well you think you have prepared yourself for a sixteen hours flight; you are never prepared for how long it really is going to be. I had my laptop, books, magazines, journal, ipod, iphone, pillow, blanket and yet, still, I was not prepared for how long that flight really was. I sat next to a couple that were very unpleasant and not happy with anything. Later, to find out, they had been sitting in the airport for merely 24 hours already and were unhappy with the preformances of Delta Airplanes. Needless to say I understood why they were upset but still not very pleasant people to sit with. On the other hand, traveling on the same flight as an International soccer team was some nice scenary. I am more of a football or baseball fan but those boys had style and were pretty attractive young men. I recieve a few smiles and two winks so it made my older self feel good. ;-)
During my flight I watched five movies. Yes, five movies, and still had time to watch a few more if I wanted. I started with New Year's Eve, followed by Moneyball, Bridesmaids, Courageous, and enter into Australia watching none other than CROCODILE DUNDEE! I just had to do it when I saw it was one of my options. The movies made the time go by faster but didnt make the seat any more comfortable. I will say the movie Courageous made me think and I do believe I will be playing it for my Parenting class next year. Ive heard good things about the movie and I will agree it teaches a great messages for parents and children both. Lack of communication between parents and children is a common problem and this movie opens your eyes to views you may overlook.
During a sixteen hour flight you have the opportunity to try out 'airplane food' Yummy is not neccesarily the word I would use to describe it but it was better than nothing. My beef and noodles were left with only one bit taken out of them, the salad was okay and you really can't mess up a turkey sandwich. For breakfast I was impressed with my egg, chees, mushrooms, and tomatoes crepes accomplanied by fresh fruit salad. Lots of water, ginger-ale, and coffee.
I took a good friend's advice for long term travel on flights and I got up every hour and walked to the back of the plane for some stretching. I do believe this helped me quite a bit but I am still tight and sore from sitting for so long. I had a four hour layover in Sydney and I took that time to walk back and forth throughout the airport to get my blood following and the stretch out my legs. I probably walked three miles within that airport.
Sydney to Melbourne was short and sweet, Thank You Baby Jesus! I enjoyed the flight with the nicest elder couple you could be blessed to sit by. They had just cruised the Eastern coast of Australia and were coming home to Melbourne. They informed me of all the sights I must see and things I must do while in Mel-BIN not Melbourne. They were so sweet and so in love with each other! I admired the way they complimented each other with every action they had. Max and Mareen were the best and I am not just saying that because they bought me booze on the plane. The most people thing about their relationship was the way Max looked at Mareen and smiled with every word she spoke. I believe that just reassured me I still wish I was born about fifty years earlier. They gave me tons of information and tips for Australia but I think most they gave me reassurance for the need of that that smile one must have within a relationship. :-)
Harry (Private driver) picked me up from the airport and we were off to Maggie. Harry had to correct me on getting into the driver's seat instead of the passanger's seat we were off. It is not the most comfortable feeling riding on the left side of the car and on the left side of the street. I felt like we were going to wreck about twenty times on the way home. I am pretty familiar with the feeling of wrecking but Australian roads give me a whole new feeling.
Once settled in, I did a little emailing, Skype, and facebooking. It is rather weird to know you are in a different day than those back home. I will adjust!.
Things that have me very interested right now are the terminolgy differences, kilometers and kilograms, and C' to F'. Other than that, my host family is very sweet and welcoming. I am very excited to get settled in and situated.
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