Tuesday, December 19, 2006

A midflight proposal


I mulled over where to plug in my computer so I could recharge my ipod but all I could see were sockets that looked destroyed. I was restless and irritable and became more so as people started filling the little waiting area. An hour before the flight was scheduled for take off, I was sitting snugly between two swahili speaking girls and swapping stories. I had also figured out that since I wasn't in the US the plugs in Amsterdam airport had a different look and I had my converter out and my ipod charging. It was fixing to be a nice flight considering it was going to be almost eight hours long. The only scar to the trip was going to be the security officer who tossed my cleanser and moisturizer because it was 18 mls above the limit. Which was ridiculous since the bottle said 118 mls but it was half full. I was pissy as I walked into the plane and ended up knocking into someone with my backpack. I apologized and sat in my seat. There was an empty spot between me and the lady at the window. Finally an aisle seat! I was hoping the middle seat remained vacant but a few minutes later a middle aged man walked up to my seat and started peering at his boarding pass curiously. He was supposed to sit opposite from me but another lady had mistakenly taken his seat. Graciously he said he didn't mind taking the lady's seat if she could point him to the right one. It was the middle seat. Damn it, I thought.





As he settled in his seat, he turned to me and inquired about my well being. We started talking about books, politics, airport security and kenyans. He lived in New Hampshire. His father had died a week ago. He was smart and funny. He spoke about religions. Apparently wearing hijabs is a fashion statement and he inquired to my faith. I pointed to my headscarf in exclamation and his laughter boomed across the plane. I assisted him in operating his movie console and remote, he in turn kept me entertained the whole trip. The lady he switched seats with was as delightful. She was full of wisdom and stories. She was heading home to properly mourn the loss of her first born son. Coincidence? I was going home to visit my great-grandma who was sickly and in fear of death. We discussed death for a while but I decided not to venture too deep into it. I was scared of what would meet me when I got to my great-grandma's bedside. After eating and drinking a couple Heineken, he dozed off leaving me to my ipod and movies. Around breakfast time, I got up to freshen up and nudged him awake because the hostess was coming around with food.


I walked back to my seat to find my food waiting and my drink of diet pepsi fizzing on his table. He smiled coyly at me and says, "I told the hostess my wife needs her breakfast and would be mad if she didn't leave anything." He also points out the diet-pepsi making me gape at his observance to my drinks all night. My admirer was on a full fledged attack now. He spoke of how he never gets along with people under 27 but with me it was relatively easy. He spoke of how he is willing to give up his religion to become a muslim if I gave him a chance. He also spoke of his past which was colorful. I giggled because he wasn't shy about his interest, but he knew he was not getting anywhere. As we got ready to land, he asked if I was staying for a while. I told him nope and wished him a pleasant stay. My trip was over and I had been entertained and I wasn't about to take this man up on his marriage proposal.


Ps:- the pics were taken by me while waiting to board the plane.

11 comments:

Om said...

All I can say is that you have a strong stomach to handle his alcohol breath at such a close range. My nose is so sensitive that I'd get headache if I smell catar much less than an alcohol; I'm certain I'd be vomiting all the way!

Again, stay safe and enjoy yourself.

P.S. Keep on blogging, Sista!

3Abdallah Bashaewuth said...

Mhh! Some may say U'r so lucky! But I dont think so!

LoL ! He proposed so early/quickly.

Anywayz, Have fun and enjoy ya trip - Take care

NATIVE said...

Aaww lucky girl, mashaAllah. I dont mean about the premature proposal :D but about the fact that you went back to the motherland!

Hope your great grandma gets well sonn inshaAllah.

Try to enjoy yourself and see the family you have there...it's not everyday you get to go back home...

Making dua for great grandma SD
inshaAllah kheyr

Firefly said...

SD! I didn't know you had already left. Aw..I wanted to wish you a bon voyage and all!

Looks like a good start to your trip. And don't worry Heineken is known for making men propose to strange women. Ha ha.

I hope your nan recovers soon and I hope you have a fabulous time in Africa.

Anonymous said...

wow u must be some kind of girl, if a man is willing to propose to u in a day!!! wow hope u have a good trip! Africa is a most experiencing place to expeirence life! have fun and i suspect u will have more proposels when u get to africa knowing i did and i was only 13 at that time

DALAHOW said...

....We wishing your Ayeeyo all the best..Inshallah

Rem, Good girls don't go for speedy proposals...

Do I say?

NM said...

Aww...sound like you guys got along, the proposal (well almost) was a bit weird but hey at least the flight passed by pleasantly!

keep the pictures coming

Anonymous said...

very funny! hope you have a great trip and will also make dua for ayeyo. Take care

Lonesome Dreamer said...

Hope you have a nice trip!

lol@ the proposal. He must've seen something he couldn't pass up. ;)

Poundy said...

I envy you girl.How I wanted to dust off that passport in my suit case this year.Hope you have a blast holiday and remember to buy me some KETEPA tea bags (Fahari ya Kenya).....

SleepDepraved said...

Thanks for all your wishes and dua. I am yet to completely recover from my trip but I am slowly getting there. Poundy I am sorry but my bro in law called dibs on the ketepa tea. He has been begging me for it since day one.