To these questions, which are asked from me from time to time, I need to answer with quite a generalization, for there are so many places, manners and reasons to travel as there are people.
Where?
Today I would say India. I’d like you to see all the colours of the world. And the feel good movies of Bollywood in their own environment. And to taste the richness of Indian food accompanied by rhythmic music. India is the taste of life.
Yesterday I would’ve suggested China. The pace of westernization in China is wild, so in order to experience the genuine Chinese one needs to hurry up. The offering of culture doesn’t leave anyone cold and there are no sales, which could beat China in price comparison. China is silk and saving.
Tomorrow I will leave for New York, so welcome with me! The American taxis and alarm vehicles really do sound the same as in the movies. Being a “nobody” on the street one can sense the fleeting, hectic moment and the awareness that the city never sleeps. America is a movie.
As a culmination of generalization, let’s note that Thailand is a heaven on earth for many. Europe is full of marvellous destinations. And Finland. In good company I enjoy a trip even to Loimaa. One cannot find it from our scheduled traffic network though.
How?
The corner stone of a successful trip is attitude. The right kind of attitude that is.
Openness, curiosity, a pinch of bravery and patience. I would suggest a mix of something of the kind. I confess that queueing is not my favourite kind of game of endurance. Do I suffer from an allergy for queueing? Or is it a question of lack of training? On a summer holiday trip I could not help but cast admiring glances at peaceful, even serene looks, on the faces of the passengers who where waiting with us. In most countries people have developed on to a master level of patience as the result of desensitization.
I also confess that I am a Google fan. I want to read the official pages of the destinations, but the odd tales and photos of travellers give excellent extra information.
I fetch narrative literature from the library for travel reading that is placed in the destination. (I recommend a book called Shantaram that takes place in the scenery of Mumbai.) I also download music and watch movies. This is the way I see passengers spending time as well. Some of them sleep though, and there is their own category for a combination of open, bold and curios. To those, who start a conversation with their neighbour. It’s a grand way. A free way of extreme. Blooms or fades away.
Open mind. Open attire. We trust that the guys in technique tighten the screws and nuts, so that passengers can loosen their cravats and slacken their own screws.
Why?
I remember when we brought Finnish men from an oilrig from Norway home for Christmas. They took to singing in their own gruff but gorgeous way: “It’s so wonderful to come home again!” That’s when I bawled too.
Helena Kaartinen
Cabin attendant of Finnair
Filed under: Service | Tagged: cabin attendant, helena kaartinen, Service, travel
