I hate flying!

Yes, it`s true...I hate flying.  However, the only way to get to most of the places in the world that I want to visit is to board an airplane and endure all of the nastiness it entails.  Oh, how I wish I lived in the days when flying was a special event - and people actually washed, got dressed up and treated the airplane with respect.

Unfortunately the reality is far, far more horrible - wash? - why wash, when I'm just gonna sleep anyhow, -dress up? - why dress up, my clothes will just get wrinkly, so I'll just wear these ones I've been wearing for the last couple of days - brush my teeth? comb my hair? - that can wait til I get to the hotel at my destination.  And yes, I will jam my carryon into that overhead bin if it kills me - but can you give me a hand lifting it?

Other people aside, I'm also somewhat of a "germ-a-phobe"...anyone who knows me, knows that I don't leave home without my anti-bac hand wash and a healthy supply of wipes. (And I guarantee if you travel with me, at some point you will be oh-so-thankful that I have them!)  The first thing I do when boarding an airplane is get out my wipes and wipe down any surface I may come in contact with - the armrests, window shade and especially the tray table - I have personally witnessed many horrific things taking place on the tray table - diaper changing, bare feet using the actual table as a foot rest, children jumping on them with dirty shoes, and noses being blown and kleenex's being set on them....and who knows what I haven't seen?!  And did you know that those table are rarely wiped down, let alone actually sanitized - it's no wonder people get sick after flying.

And the bathrooms?...it is a mystery to me why people feel it's ok to be "messy" in a public bathroom and not clean up after themselves.  I have learned over time and through bad experiences to avoid using the airplane bathroom at all costs - I will deny myself liquids leading up to and on the flight, if it will help me avoid the gross experience of having to using the airplane restroom.

Yes, I hate flying for the reasons mentioned above - and the obvious ones?  mechanical malfunctions, terrorists?...nah, I'm too busy worrying about germs that I don't even think about those.  BUT - I will never let my dislike for flying stop me from travelling.  When I hear about people who "won't fly" for whatever reason, I feel sorry for them - they are denying themselves one of the greatest pleasures in life...the wonderful experiences and memories that travelling gives us.  One of my favourite quotes - "The world is a book and those who don't travel read only a page" St. Augustine

So...as I write this I'm packing my bags for a new journey, one I'm quite excited about - but also slightly anxious about as this time I'll be flying overseas, by myself, for the first time.  Fingers crossed that my "seatmate" has showered, applied deodorant, doesn't snore or drool or have a cold - not too much to ask is it? lol

P.S...flying tip - don't spray hairspray in the airplane bathroom...it may set off the smoke detectors and a loud alarm and have everyone staring daggers at you as you emerge from the bathroom.  Don't ask me how I know ;-P