Arrival

Leaving Cape Town almost a relief after all the waiting. Sad to leave loved ones behind...happy to be seeing Paul and the children again. Glad to get on the plane. Not so glad when the plane took off. Convinced I was going to die as the plane lurched and bounced all over the place. Thought quite hard about my death. On balance it was not a bad time to die seeing as everything was sorted and tied up in SA and Paul and Jeeps and Lol and Si were all together in London. Bearing this in mind, and with the help of 2 Relicalms, I was prepared to plummet to a fiery death.
Obviously this didn't happen, and apparently I was the only person on the plane that didn't know this lurching and bouncing was a takeoff feature of the plane I was on. Paul knew this, but decided not to warn me.
Everything went swimmingly after that until I went to the toilet and saw a steward run...actually run, and take a cylinder out of a cupboard. It looked like a fire extinguisher. I assumed the plane was on fire. (well, one does) Having already prepared myself for death, I was strangely calm. As it happens...red is a fire extinguisher. Green is oxygen. The fact that it was an air hostess receiving the oxygen was a tad troubling. I returned to my seat and drank a bottle of wine.
I watched Benjamin Button, Madagascar 2, Smother, Marley and me and 2 episodes of Friends. Didn't sleep. ( no time, was watching movies)
Arrived in Dubai. Had to wait on the runway while medical people came and took away the oxygen requiring stewardess. Waited longer while she was checked not to have something awful and contagious meaning we would all be quarantined. She was fine. Well, not fine, obviously, but not Swine Flu. Headed toward the next flight I had to take. Saw Brian and Eva Dickson on the way. Seeing as I had only been in Dubai 5 minutes it was rather odd to see someone I knew. But by now, nothing was suprising me. Found a place to smoke. Considered missing my connection to have another 3 cigarettes but decided against it.
Back on the plane. Had a third breakfast. Watched 3 episodes of Friends and played Tetris. Watched Slumdog Millionaire. Told the people behind me with the screaming horrible children that it was fine, was just a 7 hour flight for me but they were stuck with them for life. They looked as if they had never thought of it this way before. The next time the child kicked my seat they smacked her. So I have done some good.
Thought we were landing seeing as it was 12 o clock. Lunch was served. Obviously I don't understand time zones. Went to the toilet, shaking my head sympathetically at the parents of the screaming children as I went by.
Landed eventually. Braked with both feet as the pilot went far too fast down the runway. Came to a stop and everyone clapped. Almost stood up to take the credit but was wearing a seat belt. Nodded modestly instead.
Husband and son waiting. Ran past them kissing in their direction and went for a smoke outside.
Am in London now. Is odd.