I have never had a huge
problem with flying. In fact, I used to love everything about it from wandering
the airport to the thrill of take off to endless re-fills of pop.
However, that was my opinion
from when I would fly Laguadia to Denver non-stop. Getting to and from
Connecticut from Bush, Alaska has changed those views a little.
Here are some tips for any
future bush traveler as well as my personal observations throughout my travels:
1.) Bush pilots don’t fly if
they can’t see within 15 miles all around them. And they often don’t tell you
whether or not they are going to fly that day until the end of the day. This
may lead to cancelled flights, many hours on hold with airlines to change
connecting flights and plenty of time to attempt to get comfy in the airport
itself. If you are good at sweet talking your way through life, that may help
in getting fees waived for changing tickets.
2.) From a traveler’s
perspective, the muffin is quite universal. From New York to Anchorage- they
are everywhere. At first, it may seem like a simple ounce of joy. When one
first gets to the airport, there is nothing more thrilling than sitting down at
a Starbucks, surrounded by luggage, muffin in hand. Although, the longer one
spends in the air and in various airports, the more the muffin starts to lose
it’s appeal. It becomes a dry, tasteless bun that does nothing but limit the
body’s number of regular bowel movements.
3.) The temperature changes
as your travel. Don’t get stuck in your east coast shoes in the icy muck of
Dillingham, Alaska. Unless you deem the hot chocolate to be worth it.
4.) There is nothing better
then having a random conversation with a random stranger who you will probably
never see again on a plane or in a taxi. Yea, it is probably not best to get
pregnant in Dillingham. If anything goes wrong, there is really not much they
can do.
5.) It can suck to be stuck
whether in Togiak, Dillingham, Anchorage, Chicago… but it can also be awesome.
Go on a shopping spree, eat every single dinner out… who knows you might see a
moose!
6.) Sometimes
out-of-your-control wacky things happen. Get in a tug of war fight over your
luggage with a drunk who thinks they should be able to get on their plane
despite being intoxicated? Airport security is getting better and better by the
day!
But more importantly, don’t
freak out about anything that may happen. You can’t plan a trip to the bush and
expect it to go perfectly so you might as well embrace the adventure.
Just to clarify.. I still
don’t have a problem with flying. Just more of an appreciation for my
destination the longer the trip takes!
