Category Archives: Ideas

Since my last post there have been some notable notes worth noting. The first starts with my departure from South Africa. The rest will be written about in further posts.

Another flight, another airline, another terminal, another departure lounge. This time it was good. I felt alive. I had made some pretty heavy decisions and now it was time to act on them. I was floating. For the first time in a long time I felt free. No more fighting. God it was amazing.

After a little wait in a little line we eventually boarded the aircraft. I was sat half way down in seat 36A. Next to me was this lovely woman who was traveling to Russia with her husband. We chatted a bit. After closing the doors we started our taxi to the runway. Just before taking off the plane started moving and then quickly swung around and we started a taxi back to the terminal. The captain came across the PA system and announced that he had just received urgent information from the company advising him that the aircraft had been loaded incorrectly and we were completely out of balance. We had to return to reload the cargo and baggage. I laughed. I laughed so hard. These poor people had no idea that I was the jinx. People started complaining so I felt it was my duty to set things straight. In a strong voice I commented to the complainers that we should all be VERY grateful that they realised this when they did and not once we had gone over 300mph past the point of no return on takeoff. That did shut people up.

I just sat there thinking, “If we get asked to get off then that’s it, I’m not getting back on. My new life starts now”. We never did get asked to leave so I guess that means that I have to settle things the right way.

They opened the bar so we knew we were going to be there a while. I drank wine, we laughed and joked about all sorts of things and eventually about 2 hours later we took off. We were en route to London.

This flight was amazing. Even though I was crammed up in economy I felt good. I was so happy. I fell asleep with a big smile on my face.

Arriving over London in the early hours was incredible. I opened my eyes to an incredible view of a blanket of snow that had recently rested over the entire country. The sun was just coming up and through three thin layers of cloud it radiated over the countryside and it felt warm. I was awake with a smile. I confirmed then that I was making the right decision and it was time for massive change.

We landed and made our way through the notorious Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport and boy it didn’t let us down. A mountain of baggage awaited us as we arrived. I chuckled. It took a further 2 hours for our belongings to make it from the aircraft to the carrousel and when it finally arrived people cheered. I simply smiled, grabbed my bag and made my way outside into the crisp icy air. Blowing mist breathe while walking to the taxi that I had ordered I felt like a tourist. This was no longer my place. I was here now to make a change. I am heading home.