I made a new friend yesterday, well not so much a friend as a companion in fear. The flight went well, in fact much better than I thought it would however the landing in Sydney would have tested the nerves of even the most enthusiastic flyer. Thick white fog smothered Sydney Airport as we circled above, the pilot no doubt considering whether his skills and the planes technical abilities were up to the job. Lower and lower we flew, down into the murky depths, the plane jolting from side to side, until moments before touch down the pilot aborted the landing, furiously revving all the engines, willing the aircraft back up into the sky. It was at this moment that my neighbour and I made a real connection, inseparable partners in fear, ’friends’; a friendship that would grow as we returned for a second attempt at landing ten minutes later.
On terra firma things seemed so much better, in particular the knowledge that nearly all other flights had been re-routed to Melbourne, our pilot and plane no doubt being ‘a cut above the others’.
Weary and jet lagged from the long journey, I was relieved to be picked up from the airport by Jason, an old friend who I have seen only once in 30 years. After a rapid introduction to his family we then spent the day trying to find ways to keep me awake. A trip to see Sydney Opera House, lunch in a cafe on Bondi Beach and then checking in to my small apartment just about doing the trick at least until sundown.
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