March 30th- The Departure

After leaving the grasp of my weeping mother, my dad and I began our drive towards
the airport. It was nice to have some car time with dad, even though I did not have much
to talk about, but my dad kept asking me questions, I think he just wanted to hear my
voice. I too wanted to talk, but my mind was somewhere else, and rightfully so. I had
been anticipating this day for the last six months. Once we pulled up to the airport I
started to get real excited, although it would be almost 24 hours until I was in Israel, the
trip had begun.
While checking in, the Air Canada representative informed me that my bag was 8
pounds over the limit and that I would have to remove some items or pay an extra $25. So
I plucked some items out and stuffed my carry on as full as I could get it without smushing
the delicious sandwich that my dad had prepared for my travels (one of his favorite things
to do for his son). I did not really think about what I was taking out and putting into my
carry on , but one of the items was my first aid kit. The issue with the first aid kit is that I
had a small pocket knife inside and that is a no-no with security. Well, knowing me, I
proceeded anyway and continued through security with no problems or bonus frisking
(makes ya feel realllll safe).
With two hours until my flight and a full stomach, I got real board real quick while
waiting at the gate. So I started to wonder around and found a restaurant/bar with a TV. I
took a seat and just started to relax when the meanest Asian lady I had ever met, asked
me if I wanted anything. When I replied no, she proceeded to be very rude and kick me
out because seating was for customers only. This seemed fair, but I was the only potential
customer within 25 feet of the place and now I think I know why (she was no Joy, the
loving Asian owner of the finest diner in Eugene). So I took a seat across from the
restaurant where I could still view the exhilarating match-up between the Cincinnati Reds
and Boston Red Sox (Bronson Arroyo struck out Willy Mo Pena, players that were traded for
each other amongst the competing squads). As time ticked away, I made faces and played
with a young kid who was also waiting for a flight and was not the type to sit still and wait
(much like me when I was his age and still). But eventually, the little hand was on between
the 11 and 12 and it was time for me to head back to the gate and start leg one of the
flight.
The flight to Toronto was quick and painless (in comparison to what was still to
come). I enjoyed the in-flight movie, “Prime” I believe it was called. A story about a 23
year old Jewish boy whose mother is a psychiatrist, a concept that could develop into a
movie on its own. The 23 year old met and fell in love with a beautiful 37 year old woman
(Uma Thurman). The catch is that Uma was a patient of the psychiatrist mother and would
tell stories of her relationship with this young boy and in some detail. Eventually the
mother caught on and blah blah blah. All in all, it was entertaining and throughout the
movie, spurts of laughter would rain inside the plane.
Once off the plane in Toronto, I had to proceed through customs and make my way to
another terminal for the second leg of the trip. I had a three hour layover and had a huge
craving for some poutin (french fries covered in gravy with cheese curds on top), a
Canadian delicacy. Of course before I made my way to any food stop, there was a very
important phone call that had to be made. So I picked up the phone and called home to
let my mother know that her 263 month old baby was safe and sound. I was quite lucky
because as soon as I sat down to enjoy my healthy batch of poutin, the jersey retirement
ceremony for Indiana Pacer, Reggie Miller was just beginning. It made me feel a little
emotional because I remember all the times Reggie buried the hopes of the New York
Knickerbockers (the choking gesture is still in my mind) and his last second heroics. I
thought this was there was not a better game to end my 2005-06 season on. The Pacers
were playing the Phoenix Suns and were just getting blown out (could the Suns win it all
minus Amare? ‘Cuz it sure looked like whatever Indiana tried was not going to stop Steve
Nash from getting the ball to someone who would put the ball through the hoop).
Anyway, it was time to board the 11 hour flight to Tel-Aviv and while I was waiting for
everyone to make their way down to the plane, I was chatting it up with the gate attendant.
He was very charming and flexible, something very rare in his profession. After everyone
seemed to be on the plane, I figured it was my turn to walk the plank. Before I could begin
the gentleman at the gate asked for my ticked and said he was going to give me a seat
with some extra leg room (even though I already had the exit row); he said I would be in
the front row. As I stepped onto the plane I started counting rows and did not understand
why my seat was 5C because there were seven rows in first class. The kindest airline
attendant I have ever worked with had pulled some sort of magic from his hat and
reassigned me to first class, unbelievable. I really wanted to run back to the gate and
shake his hand, but I was already stuck in the seat, more like lounge chair, which would be
perfect for the overnight flight.
After flying first class, I do not think I can ever go back to economy. The chair
reclined into a bed and I was out, but not before enjoying a three course dinner. When I
awoke it was light out again and we were over Italy. The personal TV had a map channel
and I was able to figure out what cities I was flying over. The sky was clear and I had
wonderful views of Nice and Naples. Then came Greece, where I could identify Hydra and,
in the distance, Athens. With two hours to go it was time for breakfast. So here I was
enjoying a pre-breakfast of sliced fruit and pastries while flying over the Greek Isles. I
could see Milos and then Santorini and they were amazing. I had never had steak and
eggs before and never thought that my first time would be on a plane. Air Canada
definitely knows how to treat its elite passengers and I felt spoiled.