A wanderlust soul

“With my sleek bob-cut and a toothy grin, I soaked in as much of this modern species of neon-green birds, as a three year old could” .

That had been my very first encounter with an airplane. I remember how amazed I was by the large, white wings that spanned across the whole of the world for a much tinier me. I don’t remember much about my first home, prior to setting foot on that plane, but I do remember the glittering jets that would zoom over the cream-soda green mosque, across our balcony. To see one up close in 2005 was mind blowing, earth-shattering almost…but it was only once we took off that my life really changed. 

While I have to admit that I cried my eyes out when my ears crackled weirdly from the new air pressure, I do remember admitting that I wanted to do it all over again– for the sake of feeling the freedom of drifting in between the clouds. 

There’s a certain rush of adrenaline and danger that courses through your veins when you’re dangling more than 10 000 m above the earth– gravity is your enemy, your safety net is gone  and you’re only hanging amongst the clouds and stars, by the grace of God. 

For me, the most exhilarating moments in life are experienced on an airplane. The world is beneath your fingertips. All the skyscrapers that loom over you as you hustle through the city, all the billboard and street lights flashing on your skin, all the cacophonous sounds of cars and taxis racing to their next destination. Life below ceases to exist– it’s only you and the scenery of fluorescent colours beneath the modern bird. 

Beylikdüzü on the first of January 2020 at 21:46

I spent the first day of the decade on an airplane and I can only hope that I spend the next decades to come on the metal bird. As the only saying goes: “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.”

After a 12 hour long flight and a three hour layover, you’d think that I’d want to gouge my eyes out at the sight of another commercial airplane. Surprisingly, I don’t. In fact, I think I’ve come to appreciate the journey more than I ever have.

I’m sure that if you were to stand on the corner of the busiest street in Istanbul, you would see an array of orange and emerald hues, but fly above the city and there’s a whole rainbow of purples, pinks and royal blues to marvel at.

Happy new year and thank you for the support on Desert Reigns. I can’t believe that we’ve actually reads 1k views! What?? Thank you!I wish everyone a blessed and prosperous 2020.

Much love,
Liya