Of Flying
The Wright brothers must have only dreamed of how, a century or so later, their experimentation with flight would become an everyday reality. In fact, a common transport complete with different sections and even a business class... and now (for certain airlines) a bed! You cannot deny how much flying from here to there can be simply done by purchasing tickets, be it personally or online.
If Icarus had waited a bit, he might have enjoyed these same benefits too. Then again, we would not have a lesson to learn from him if that happened. Or no Icarus to talk about, even.
Despite the very many convenient ways to enjoy a flight from here to there, I have developed a fear of flying since college. Why college? Because it had been then that I took a plane ride to Tacloban (not so far away from Manila, yes?) and realized that unlike many other "accidents", there is very little you can do when a plane is crashing.
As I gazed at the blue-green plains of water below us, the plane gave a little shake... the stewardess, probably noticing the awkward silence, assured everyone that it was just turbulence-- an ordinary, every day experience in flight.
And then I wondered what I would do if ever it was not just turbulence. I realize how, in that event, you are left helpless, perhaps given a few moments to pray for a quick and painless death, before the plane grants this wish for you. Of course, there are exceptions... but it is a rare, if not miraculous, event.
Then again, this fear (which, by definition is an irrationality) is what stands between me and my dream to go around the world...
Houston, we have a problem.
If Icarus had waited a bit, he might have enjoyed these same benefits too. Then again, we would not have a lesson to learn from him if that happened. Or no Icarus to talk about, even.
Despite the very many convenient ways to enjoy a flight from here to there, I have developed a fear of flying since college. Why college? Because it had been then that I took a plane ride to Tacloban (not so far away from Manila, yes?) and realized that unlike many other "accidents", there is very little you can do when a plane is crashing.
As I gazed at the blue-green plains of water below us, the plane gave a little shake... the stewardess, probably noticing the awkward silence, assured everyone that it was just turbulence-- an ordinary, every day experience in flight.
And then I wondered what I would do if ever it was not just turbulence. I realize how, in that event, you are left helpless, perhaps given a few moments to pray for a quick and painless death, before the plane grants this wish for you. Of course, there are exceptions... but it is a rare, if not miraculous, event.
Then again, this fear (which, by definition is an irrationality) is what stands between me and my dream to go around the world...
Houston, we have a problem.