Flying 2010

2010 has been a stellar year for flying, even by my standards. Technically speaking, Chile was 2009 with only spillover in 2010, so I shan't take into account the, what was it? 2 doz take off and landings we participated in?

This year has seen multiple trips to Amsterdam and Geneva, unnecessary ones to Sharm and Cairo, inevitable ones to Bombay (and some better left undone!), Zurich/Interlaken, Vegas (via Philly and Atlanta!), Budapest, Copenhagen, Nordborg, Nairobi (and Laikipia/Masai Mara), Rotterdam and then Fort Myers via Miami. Heathrow feels like home.

Given how much I hate flying and I won't even get into packing/unpacking, I clearly need to work on a better strategy for my life and travels. Still, the early arrival to Budapest with the Capt's announcement, "I'm pleased to say we are a full 10 min. ahead of schedule. Make sure you use it well" to another flight (coincidentally to Budapest again), which saw the brunt of some nasty weather and an excessively witty Capt, who's last rejoinder was a splendid, "It's going to be a bumpier ride than usual and if any of you has a problem with that, come see me after the flight", to the CityAir propeller engined aircraft that was the worst take off in my history of flying - thought we were going to be rattled into the sea before our wheels could remove themselves from the tarmac, where flawless service offered us not just drinks but full on snacks and sandwiches for a 40 minute flight, and even had a safety card featuring my phone, the classic Nokia 6310 (quite the conversation starter incidentally wherever I go to top up on prepaid options!)

While I don't believe in the superstition that you will spend the rest of the year doing whatever you were on New Year's, this year, I plan to be at home... well, till the 1st of Jan 2011!