Whilst recently travelling to Cyprus for a 4 day break I could not help get the urge to write even before I got there… just observing human behaviour was enough to inspire another blog entry.
You can spot a novice traveller immediately: gates open, they jump off their chairs and rush to the gate as if the plane is going to leave without them or as if they will get a better seat by being first. Once in the actual aircraft its another adrenaline pumping moment: Find your seat quick – rush, rush… store away your luggage or squash it under your seat. I enjoy watching people debate with themselves about what they think they should keep on them before storing away their luggage… books? Gum? Passport?
Finally seated, the Maltese are quite unique passengers because they are: … SO LOUD. On the tarmac the woman next to me calls her husband: ‘ Its a big plane’, she says, ‘ two – four – two seats per row’ she continues, ‘… and its a really long plane’. She hangs up and immediately phones her brother to tell him the same story. Hardly something you would expect from a 45 year old woman.
The PA services reminds everyone to turn of their mobiles, half the cabin jump out of their chairs to check their mobiles in their pockets… the woman next me say: ‘ Holy Mary, I nearly forgot it,’ and smiles at me as she gets up out of her seat to get it out of her bag that is stored away above her.
As we start to roll down the tarmac… my neighbour and a number of other passengers start the rosary… until we are in the air. Once off land, almost immediately snacks are being served . Pretty good by my standards… Im in economy and I have silver cutlery. Not bad at all! Drinks were served with the snacks and here is where it got interesting again… OMG do the Maltese drink? When I say drink I mean alcohol. The flight was at 4pm and the Maltese are at the whiskey, adding shots of baileys to their coffee, asking for second bottles of wine and vodka. This was not even a 3 hour flight. The airhostess turns to the steward and says ‘Get me all the Jack daniels you have back there’. I couldn’t help smile.
So as we landed in Cyprus… a plane full of loud, alcohol contented passengers clapped frantically at the success of the flight, and just like that it was over… I was there and I had a new experience and I was only just starting my trip.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
You hit the nail right on the head this is very funny .I agree how people behave can be extremely interesting.
The airhostess deserves a medal for style
And, obnoxious as your fellow travellers may have been, I seriously hope you never experience the company of the seasoned Maltese travelleress – the 50 year old type who complains that the plane is smaller than the Gambow Jet, and loudly asks why all eight members of her brood cannot sit in the same row (even if it is only six seats wide in all).
Great post. Made me laugh