The Flight to Dubai

The flight to Dubai

 

The fight is called - the seat numbers announced - the back seats first - We are corralled into a loading room by a middle aged Australian matron resplendent in the official Emirates flight attendant regalia - I smile to myself - was this what the fashion designer had in mind ?

The loading of those of us from cattle class continued not as slick as the glitzy advertisements would lead you to believe! We reach our seats near the back of the 777- greeted by yet more Australians making their way in the world as Emirates flight attendants - are they Qantas defectors like us? - we look with envy at the sets of twin seats that grace the windows at the rear of the 777- -it would be nice not to cramped up next to others - both of as make a note not to get caught with that again.

We settle in - listen to the couple next to us try to get the entertainment system going - be smug - we know how those things work - time comes for us - now we are not so smug - we internally chastise ourselves - settle in to watch a movie - The Way - Martin Sheen - a person walks the Camino in memory of his son - think of Bernie O'Donnell who has walked many parts of the Camino many times - we also think of the time we spent in Burgos watching the footsore pilgrims take some time out in the city square - we also think of marvellous day we had sitting quitely watching them as they made their way, often one by one, through a small village in Catalan countryside.

But I am distracted - back to the realities of this long haul flight and to the sophisticated services promised to us by the by geniuses of the Emirates advertising agency - the services - delivered politely but a long stride away from best practice.

Meal arrives eventually - no longer any choice - never mind food OK

Time for sleep - ah! - there is a power outlet in the seat- plug in the sleep apnoea machine - put on the Darth Vader mask and slip into 6 hours of great sleep.

Wake refreshed - not usually into movies but there are still 4 hours to go - watch J. Edgar - While a nice Eastwood film it was soft treatment of a harsh individual - I now understand why the politicians set up organisations in competition with an existing organisation - there is little chance that any politician would allow someone like Hoover a develop such a powerbase again - I also understand how the relationship between them failed the US around 9-11


Arrive in Dubai - both feeling great.

This is a big airport - well at least you get considerable exercise walking to the baggage claim.