You know, you really see some interesting things at the airport and on airplanes. Today, for example, I saw a man decked out in full business attire - complete with tie and jacket & carrying a briefcase -wearing navy crocs. I can only hope he had checked a bag with different footwear.
Let's not forget some of the standard staples of travel: you've got your snorers, chatty mc-chatters (who somehow don't get the clue when you murmur uncommittingly, put on your headset and close your eyes), the loud laughers (getting their chuckles out of the newest Zac Ephron movie while you're trying to focus on the latest budget spreadsheet), the standard arm rest hogs, the less standard (but still not that unusual) flab flowing over the armrest and invading your space people, the stinkies, flirts and networkers. Then there are the typical loudly complaining about not being in an exit row whiners, rude to flight attendant "I'm kind of a big deal"-ers, and your "there's no way I could leave my precious pooch / rabbit / kitten / rodent / reptile at HOME"-ers. All par for the course and many times I've been stuck sitting next to someone fitting into more than one category above - or, worse yet, been stuck between two categories!!
But sometimes, every now and then, you're lucky enough to discover an entirely new breed of strange passengers. Take, for instance, the woman sitting next to me on the plane today. She looked like a friendly lady (think a thinner Susan Boyle). Seemed ordinary enough, if perhaps a bit batty, until I glanced over and noticed her well worn stuffed animal in the seat next to her. A stuffed dog, to be exact. On his own travel pillow. Blink. blink. ... People - I am not making this up.
See exhibit A: Snapped while she got up to use the restroom.
She had been tapping away on her laptop while listening to her ipod, so I'm assuming she was a fully functioning 'normal' adult. She doesn't appear to be deathly afraid of flying and in need of snuggly comfort item or anything. For all I know, she could have BOUGHT the seat between us JUST FOR HIM. It was a very full flight, this is possible.
Yes, you see all types on an airplane - I'm just glad this one didn't start talking to her keychain (also a sutffed dog) or invite me to join her local coven / Zac Ephron fan club / poetry reading group before I could get off the aircraft. After the initial confusion over her stuffed animal, I barely even noticed when she stood in the aisle put him in his own special backpack pouch and started doing squats while we waited to disembark.
In case you were wondering it is VERY nice to be home.
Ha! That is awesome :) And welcome back!
Posted by: Teresa | August 27, 2009 at 05:49 AM
It could have been her daughter's and she was going to meet her...gosh, why do you have to be so mean? lol, only kidding, too funny! I am so glad you snapped a photo of it...
Posted by: Alicia | August 27, 2009 at 06:15 AM
I have 3 to add:
1) Small children - silent prayer...please be in another section of the plane
2) A nun or priest - silent prayer....we are going down for sure
3) Flight attendent is retiring and this is the last flight for them....see previous prayer
Posted by: Deb (aka Mom) | August 27, 2009 at 12:56 PM