Flying is truly one of the most exhilarating human experiences. The entire process, from boarding a plane to witnessing the anticipated landing, is a treasure often taken for granted. Instead of detecting the remarkable occurrences within a seemingly ordinary flight, humans overlook the tangible beauty before their deceived eyes. Flying is a feat of pure mechanical genius introduced by two fearless individuals. The Wright Brothers managed to meticulously engineer the world's first successful airplane. Since then, flying has transformed into one of the fastest and most secure modes of transportation.
Traveling remains one of my most relished pastimes. This supposedly colorless experience continues to inspire me with each trip. I enjoy the rising anticipation of waiting in an airport's stiff chairs and passing the time by people-watching. I calmly witness an overwhelmed couple race to catch a departing flight or notice a crabby child impatiently trudging through a crowded food line. Other times I observe an exhausted baby sleeping in their comfortable stroller or a group of athletes huddled over their electronic devices and drowning out the distractions from countless bystanders. Waiting for your flight is easily as exciting as the trip itself.
The next exhilarating part of a trip is when you physically board the aircraft. A new wave of excitement surges through your body when your group number is announced. As you line up and hand your ticket to the hyper flight attendant, reality instantly hits you like a ton a bricks. You anxiously carry your luggage through the noisy jet-bridge until you enter the head of the plane and are greeted by the accompanying crew. As you advance through the narrow aisle and glance over the multitude of peering eyes, you finally reach your designated seat (hopefully by the window). A few minutes later, the pilot's voice is audible on the overhead speaker.
My heart beats heavier with each passing minute. The flight attendants imitate the safety instructions voiced by the concealed pilot. I anxiously buckle my belt and prepare for takeoff. The flight crew execute one final seat check before retreating to their own seats. I proceed to open the window blind and gaze off at the lively movement on the tarmac. The plane receives the official go-ahead from the workers at the traffic control tower. The massive aluminum monster turns on the colossal engines and cautiously prepares for a thunderous takeoff.
The eager airplane negotiates throughout the various platforms and lines up with the seemingly endless runway. The immense aircraft quickly surges forward against the beating wind and neighboring planes touching down on the nearby landing strips. My whole body jolts backward and the soles of my feet shake as the plane prepares a speedy ascent. The remaining visible terminals and lingering airplanes become blurry as our own aircraft gradually levitates from the concrete pavement. Tilted on a sharp incline, the plane soars into the inviting sky while the steady wings tilt left and right to balance out the aircraft.
My stomach drops as the plane navigates to the desired altitude until suddenly the commotion and turbulence ceases. The huge aircraft completes its expert ascent and the entire world seems to stop altogether. Time appears motionless and the only cares in the world are what drink or snack you'll order as you hover thousands of feet above the undetectable ground. The rush of adrenaline finally decreases and you return to a normal heart rate. The feeling of gliding over millions of people, large buildings, numerous bodies of water, and other natural formations is a truly unforgettable swell of emotions, which offers a calming perspective to combat life's hectic demands.
