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Trapped on a plane for 10 hours. You know, people have died from such things. If you're inactive for too long, blood clots can form. The Rick Steves european travel site recommended various stretches and walks during such travel, and noted that the in-flight movie was good for only one thing--sleep. During the flight I started to wonder if it was such a good idea that I watched so many air crash investigation videos on youtube. I'd made a point not to mention such morbid things to Eric during the days leading up to our flights. However, knowledge can be a powerful thing. Was that bump merely turbulence, or had the aileron shaft thingie sheared off? Compared to riding TheBus in Honolulu though, the ride was positively luxurious, and definitely smelled better.

About the time we reached cruising altitude, the drink carts wheeled down the aisles. They first serviced the people at the very back of our section, then slowly came back up toward us. I ordered my customary orange juice. The Rick Steves site had recommended ordering two orange juices every time the cart wheeled past to stave off dehydration, a common traveler's woe, but I didn't feel like going to pee that often.

After the drink carts packed up, the meal carts descended upon us. Thankfully, Eric had confirmed ahead of time that we'd be receiving a vegan meal. The airline had definitely said we'd be getting one, and we'd confirmed days in advance, plenty of time for the airline to arrange it. I was a bit surprised when Eric's meal looked slightly different than my meal. He had a vegan cookie, I had a definitely non-vegan cake. Eric had a fruit sampler (actually three wedges of unripe melon) that I didn't. We each had a small salad, mini olive oil, small water bottle, overcooked pasta in red sauce, and an empty coffee cup. On both our trays, we had non-vegan items--creamer, butter, sweat roll, and milk sticks (don't ask). Eventually we noticed the labels on the pasta. Eric had a VGML--a vegan meal. I had a VRML--a vegetarian meal. However, the main course was the same overcooked pasta, so I only had to stalk the flight attendant to get my damned missing cookie. An after dinner tea or coffee was served, I chose tea. It seemed that every time I was about to drink the hot beverage, the plane would encounter very slight turbulence, just enough to make me abort the attempt. Perhaps the captain was enjoying his tea right then.

For our in-flight entertainment, Eric and I both chose to watch Watchmen. We actually had a choice as each seat had a nifty in-flight entertainment system. We could watch movies, tv shows, listen to music, or even watch the progress of the flight on a map. The movie was fun. I'd read through the Watchmen graphic novel at Mark's place prior to the trip, so I was roughly familiar with the plot. In my non-expert opinion, I'd say it followed the novel fairly well, aside from the ending. No squidmen!

After the movie, Eric went on to listen to music while dozing. I tried to sleep but was fairly unsuccessful. All the windows were closed for the sleep period on the flight. Eric put on his British Airways socks, and I gave the eye shade a try. However, despite the always comfortable 89 degree reclining position, I couldn't sleep. Eventually, near morning, I went to the restroom to freshen up, throw some soap and water on my face. The captain came on the PA system, "Sorry to wake you up, but we have an ill passenger, is there a medical doctor on board?" Damn, apparently they've caught on to non-medical doctors responding.

Somewhere over Canada, I peered out the open window on the rear exit door. Down below I could see vast fragmented sheets of ice. Various people were milling about, stretching their legs. I paced up and down the aisle a bit. Eventually, the window shades came up, the lights came on, and it was decreed that morning had arrived. The alleged morning also brought forth the snack carts once more, dispensing rolls or some other breakfast pastry that wasn't vegan. I don't recall what it was, I wasn't paying attention.

As our seats were nowhere near a window, we couldn't see much of the English countryside as we made our final approach. Only when the plane banked could I see bits of green flying past. The plane touched down without incident, and we taxied to the gate. One last surprise before departing, the flight attendants brought Eric and myself some spare vegan cookies. Yay!

And so, we descended the International Arrivals ramp into the bowels of the airport.