Omega II: Visiting with the Sages
Day 1 - Travel Log - Part 1

by Alisa Joaquin

As you can see, this new adventure is starting out differently. I leave behind someone new in my life, my daughter. I will miss her, but I know that she is with her father and in good hands.

Traveling up to Omega this time was quite strenuous. Since I did not travel by train, I was, oddly enough, far more weary than the last time. The planes that I flew on were jet props; you know the kind, the ones used primarily by commuters where you can feel the vibrations from the engines. I really don't mind them. I can fall asleep to the sound, though it's only during turbulence that they make me a little nervous. I do not always travel well. Sometimes, when I am stressed, I get a headache and this time was no different. Luckily, I brought something to take.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Helen again and this time, I brought her a small gift. I'm looking forward to having lunch together. Though this time, we will not have as much time together, it is still going to be fun.

The first leg of the trip seemed to go well. I reached Philly with no problems. Looking at the time of my arrival 10:15 am, it looks like I'll have plenty of time before my next flight. It doesn't leave until 10:45.

This is rather strange; you never know what you're going to see at an airport. Over at the counter for USAirways Express, I see a monk. Not a Shaolin Monk, but a monk just the same. He is dressed in brown robes with a brown skullcap, white rope cinch, rosary beads, and sandals. It's not every day you see a Franciscan monk.

Well, 10:45 am has come and gone. I just heard the announcement that my flight is delayed and I won't be leaving until 11:45. Well, that does not seem too bad. I still might make it to meet Helen and we may still have time for lunch before our ride to Omega. I decided to head to the ladies room and freshen up a bit. Now that's fascinating, at least it would be from my husband's perspective. The stalls in the women's room are huge. They contain a changing table, a sink, and a larger trash receptacle. I guess someone wanted to design a space where mothers can change their infants in privacy. And they say there is nothing interesting to see at an airport.

My plane has been delayed again. I will not be able to leave Philly until around 12:45, more like 1:15 after everyone has boarded the plane (2 hours from the original departure time). One good thing about it, I can practice a little Kung Fu and Tai Chi while I wait for them to finally call my flight. At least my Sifu would be pleased with me.

I started practicing my Chu Chi Chen (Primary Fist) but the carpet is not easy to practice on. Better to practice without my sandles. The waiting area is also filling up with people making it more difficult to practice. I am aware that I am getting some odd looks, even as I switch to Tai Chi. An airport worker came up to me and asked me what I was doing. He sounded interested. Too bad I could not talk with him for too long, he had other duties and my flight was just called.

Take off from Philly was rough and filled with turbulence. I could tell that the engines on this plane were rougher than the last. This was the plane that had been serviced earlier thus causing the delay. I hope they don't have any more difficulties in flight or have to turn back. As they got closer to cruising altitude, some of the clouds cleared away. I could look down and see the fall foliage; reds, yellows, oranges in a sea of dark green. Fall has really come to this part of the country. The plane is not far from Stewart Airport now. I hope the shuttle awaits.

I have finally arrived. Helen persuaded the driver to wait. I was envisioning a shuttle bus but there was an actual driver with a car. There was supposed to be three of us but the third person's flight had also been delayed. Helen and I chatted and got caught up on many things. We also chatted with the driver. It seems he's been on the road all day. I feel sorry for him. He's going to have to go to New York and then back to Stewart. He's got a long drive ahead of him. As we pull up to the registration office and the luggage drop-off area, I can't help thinking that poor driver is going to be exhausted by the time he's done.

Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2000.
This personal account cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.

Omega II Contents / Next - The Arrival
David Carradine Home / Contact Alisa