I'm Back

[fabrisse]

I flew into Dulles this evening, just as the sun was setting.

A digression: I don't understand why everyone doesn't fight for the window seat. Seriously. People get on and CLOSE THE WINDOW SHADE. Why? I have two magnificent memories of flights where it was clear all the way and all I did was look out the window.

The first was when the moon was at its perigee in the late nineties. I flew to my parents' in Los Angeles from Boston. The moon was rising just as we took off and it was clear the whole way. The Mississippi River nearly made me cry in its silver glory.

The second was around the same time (1999 or 2000). I'd visited family in DC and was flying home. It was a clear day and as we went up the Chesapeake Bay, I finally understood the idea that a beach, if approached at the microscopic level approaches an infinite length. The little twists and turns and filigrees of the water against the shore were so detailed and beautiful, then we were over open water for a few minutes and something caught my eye in the distance. Manhattan was to our left crystal clear and sparkling with the World Trade Center looking so grand. It was the first time, only time, I ever thought those towers were beautiful. I love the Chrysler Building and find the Empire State Building quite nice, but I'd always hated the World Trade Center. But as a beacon out to the ocean from this vast and sparkling city, they made sense to me. The best way to view it was from above, and that's how I remember them.

Tonight, the lines of sky were delicate hues of gold and rose and aquamarine as we landed with delicate blue-grey clouds chasing the sky. I thought there was a huge bank of lighter blue clouds on the horizon. Then I realized the sky was so clear, I was seeing the Blue Ridge Mountains behind the darker foothills. I'd never thought of Dulles being that near the Piedmont region.

I finished watching the sunset from the people mover.

It was a long and tiring day. I'm home. And I had a chance to savor beauty on the journey.

Comments

[travelinthedark.livejournal.com]

the blue ridge mountains are amazing both when you're flying over them and when you're hiking through them... i miss them and i'm jealous you got to see them.

also, dulles kind of sucks (as in the terminals, because sometimes you have to sprint half a mile to make your connecting flight).

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

I love the original structure of Dulles and miss the elegance of it. Now, so many things take place at the more distant terminals.

I love the Blue Ridge, too. *G*

[eanja]

I always want a window seat. Even if it's mostly dark or above clouds in the middle of the flight, you can usually look out at the beginning and end, at least.

And on a less scenic reason, in a window seat, you have a wall to lean against during the flight, which is another perk.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Shhhh about the leaning. Too many people will catch on. *G*

There's a glory to seeing the world from above and watching the thunderstorm as we came into Tampa was stunning.

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I love the window seat. I always have to look out the window. My plane ride last June, from Vegas to Charlotte, was at night, but I still loved looking at the country's night lights. :)

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

Yes. It shows both how built up the country is and how many places are still wild/uninhabited. It always feels quieter on the plane when I can see we're flying over forest. *G*

[riverfox.livejournal.com]

It definitely does. And since I'm a night person anyway, I always find the sunsets and rises to be especially beautiful. :)

[innerslytherin]

I would totally fight for the window seat myself.

I love that your memories are so vivid of these flights. I feel like I was right there with you.

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

There are several reasons to feel blessed with my freak memory. Things like being able to recall clear details of flights that happened a decade ago (but only if they were worth remembering *G*) is a big one.

[aizjanika.livejournal.com]

A digression: I don't understand why everyone doesn't fight for the window seat. Seriously. People get on and CLOSE THE WINDOW SHADE. Why? I have two magnificent memories of flights where it was clear all the way and all I did was look out the window.

I hate the window seat for a few reasons, but the main one is that I don't like being trapped. I need to be able to get up and go to the bathroom without having to stick my butt in someone else's face or disturb them several times (depending on the length of the flight). Even if it's a short flight, I still prefer the aisle seat so that I don't feel so trapped. (The thing I hate most about flying is being trapped on the airplane with other people.)

Also, I really hate it when the window shades are up if it's sunny out. I don't like the bright sunlight in my face or...well, on me and flashing in my eyes or whatever. Do.Not.Want. Nighttime or if the sun is on the other side is different, I guess, but I honestly don't care much as I can never really see much from those tiny windows anyway.

I'm glad you had a good flight, though. :-)

[fabrisse.livejournal.com]

If you aren't choosing the window seat, I understand it. *G*

I did have a good flight.