Hello my lovelies,
As I mentioned in my last post, I wasn't feeling overly confident about my abilities to be completely dependent on myself. Fortunately the plane ride calmed my nerves or, rather, my seatmate did. He was a Russian seafarer by the name of Sergei who was returning home with his crew. He spoke little English but that didn't deter him from engaging me in stunted conversation. He is one of the nicest people I have ever met. Not only did he offer me his pillow and his blanket, even though mine were plenty comfortable, but he made sure to always get me a drink when the flight attendant came by. He even programmed my watch, a cheap, complicated device that took him no time at all, considering his watch was an expensive, complicated navigation device for the sea. He insisted I listen to his music and play a game on his computer until the battery ran out.
He and his men proved the Russian cliché that Russian men like their alcohol. I had some good laughs over their schemes to get more alcohol out of the flight attendants. The flight attendants had a good humor about it but it's probably a good thing they were wise to the Russians ways. Nobody wants rowdy Russians in a confined space.
Sergei showed me pictures of his family and pets, along the way teaching me Russian. All I remember is that "zdravo-something" means "hello", "fox" sounds like "Lisa," and "wolf," "wook."
Something I noted is that, at least by my encounter with Sergei, Russians are not private about sexuality. He drew my attention to his motorcycle screensaver, telling me about his bike, seeming to not notice the naked girl draped across it. It didn't bother me, but I found it interesting. If you are familiar with Russian culture, let me know if this experience was odd or fit with their views on sexuality.
The only other note-worthy moment on the plane is my first legal glass of wine!!! I must compliment KLM/Northwest on their delicious food and free alcohol. The wine was a Merlot from Chile and tasted sweet. Then again, mockery of U.S. puritanical values towards alcohol and glorifying in my escape may have influenced my enjoyment. I finished the whole mini-bottle :)
Lots of love,
Nancy
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Firstly, thank you so much for providing me with the link to your blog! It's really a wonderful way to share your adventures to those of us stuck back home. Congrats on your safe flight and first legal glass of wine! I've flown KLM before and it is a great airline. Good luck in the remainder of your travels and keep us posted!
ReplyDeleteYou write beautifully! The dance between feeling alone and feeling independent will continue if your experience is like mine, but it will slowly give way to also feeling like part of a larger community and feeling a broader sense of interdependence--not one that seeks to contain drinking of alcohol, but one that knows that our lives are indeed bound together in a garment of destiny. Looking forward to see your descriptions of that garment unfold.
ReplyDeleteI thought I left a comment here but now I can't find it, which is too bad because it was a nice one. So, to sum it up, I am sooo glad you see my point about Russians and am honored that the title you choose is one of my sayings.
ReplyDeleteI also wrote that KLM is probably my favorite airline because they go above and beyond. And they have a really pretty logo, which doesn't hurt.
I am glad that you got your wine! Yay! That being said, hope you are having fun :)