I found myself being prodded in the small of my back the
whole way down the aisle of the SAA Boeing 737, by a very eager lady who was
obviously very keen to get to her seat - which just happened to be the one
right next to mine!
Much grunting and groaning later she managed to install
herself and her numerous bags into the middle seat with husband in tow.
Take off was uneventful and I had just settled in when
the dinner service commenced. My travel companions proceeded to tuck in with
much gusto and delight - amid much slurping and enjoyment she leaned down and extracted a bag of
goodies from the bag beneath her seat.
Her husband literally squealed with anticipation and could not wait to
get his hands on the bag of "yuyu" - the best I could make out they
looked like steamed chicken legs on the bone with skin still on........by this
time I was literally sitting with my mouth wide open watching the feasting of
the masses. I discreetly tried to see
what they were enjoying with their standard airplane fare but to no avail -
take a yuyu, chew, suck and spit out the little pieces......
Just when I thought it was safe to avert my eyes, out
popped a thermos flask and much to my dismay hot milky coffee sprayed all over
the seats and my lap. Unfazed my
neighbors licked up the spill and proceeded to pour and enjoy their coffee.
By now I had made peace with the fact that there was no
way out of this - being stuck in the corner 30 000 feet in the air!!!!!!
My travel companions' enthusiastic approach to their meal
was being echoed across the aircraft - little goodie bags were being unpacked
and fruit, nuts and tea were being selected ........all accompanied by the
delightful chatter that accompanies oriental tourists the world over. I have always been reminded of birds when
caught in a crowd of camera toting tourists -
exotic, incessant chatter and voracious appetites.
Copious amounts of nuts and fruits were consumed on the
flight and I am certain that a good time was had by all and sundry - the
satisfied smiles and grunts of pleasure were a dead give away, and if that does
not convince you then the nose blowing, throat clearing, hawking, removal of
shoes and general settling in for the night definitely will ....... make yourself right at home why don't you?
