An emergency and i had to do it. That is, leave my kids behind and take a long 20 hour flight to India. I was a nervous wreck by the time i even went to the airport. It was years since i boarded a flight without the company of a tot. Can i do this, really?
Finally waved my byes, and got my luggage checked in. After the initial panic attacks, i sort of settled down. Did some reading and just took some time for myself, engrossed in my thoughts. This was strange, even surreal. Now, what? Nothing else to do. No bathroom visits, feeding sessions, heck, not even one complaint of boredom to hear.
When i boarded the plane, i looked at everyone around as if i was seeing the world like a newborn baby. Is this how co-passengers look like? In all our previous trips, everybody around me always seemed like blurry images scurrying here and there. Who has time to observe people when you have a toddler or a preschooler tugging your arms?
After a few hours of my newfound freedom though, was i having these strange urges - please someone give me something to do - can i change your baby's diaper, maam? - maybe heat up the bottle for you, sir? - atleast let me read a book to that little kid. Waaaah. This is torture. Ok. That didn't work. No one is even looking at me. I then pulled myself together.
The worst of all though was not talking to anyone. After getting used to constantly entertaining the kids on the plane, this was the killer for me. But, was i going to give up so easily? Ha, no way. Ask the poor guy who sat next to me for the next 10 hours. I was jabbering non-stop all the way - without a full stop.
Finally waved my byes, and got my luggage checked in. After the initial panic attacks, i sort of settled down. Did some reading and just took some time for myself, engrossed in my thoughts. This was strange, even surreal. Now, what? Nothing else to do. No bathroom visits, feeding sessions, heck, not even one complaint of boredom to hear.
When i boarded the plane, i looked at everyone around as if i was seeing the world like a newborn baby. Is this how co-passengers look like? In all our previous trips, everybody around me always seemed like blurry images scurrying here and there. Who has time to observe people when you have a toddler or a preschooler tugging your arms?
After a few hours of my newfound freedom though, was i having these strange urges - please someone give me something to do - can i change your baby's diaper, maam? - maybe heat up the bottle for you, sir? - atleast let me read a book to that little kid. Waaaah. This is torture. Ok. That didn't work. No one is even looking at me. I then pulled myself together.
The worst of all though was not talking to anyone. After getting used to constantly entertaining the kids on the plane, this was the killer for me. But, was i going to give up so easily? Ha, no way. Ask the poor guy who sat next to me for the next 10 hours. I was jabbering non-stop all the way - without a full stop.