As with many seemingly monumental occurrences in one's life, there's a loud bang or a bright flash or some sort of jolt that issues in the beginning of a new adventure. Or sometimes an event is privileged to have all three, such as was the case with my flight to Chile:
6AM flight out of Albuquerque- No problem.
2 Hour Atlanta Layover- Easy.
2 Nathan's Hot dogs in Ft. Lauderdale Airport- Routine.
FL to Columbia.... Let the Adventure Begin:
Avianca Airlines. The most trusted name in the Colombian skies. Or so they say. My travel companion (Alex LaCroix) and I were reclined and relaxing en route to Bogota, Columbia; him abundantly partaking in the unlimited free alcohol provided on South American flights. We were discussing the merits of supplying free booze to passengers, obliquely and jokingly stating how it was necessary to maintain a level of tranquility amongst apprehensive passengers. Unfortunately for us, we had just foreshadowed our own fate.
5 minutes after the flight attendant had placed the last dinner tray-- chicken or carne covered in salsa verde, brownies, italian salads, and delicious manejar-- the captain came on and in true pilot fashion mumbled something entirely inaudible, the rapid-fire Spanish only complicating manners. The "ding" of the illuminated seat belt sign served as our translator. Then....
The entire cabin flashed a brilliant white as lightning etched across the sky, the plane dropped out from underneath our seats and trays, and for a split second everything hovered near the ceiling, before our bodies crashed back into our seats. Our food-covered trays quickly followed suit, landing awkwardly on people's heads, seats, tray-tables, and the floor. After 15-seconds of violent shaking the gyrations subsided, leaving a post-turbulence mire of food, frenzied Colombians, and us.
A silent reverie ensued as all tried to mentally assess the ramifications of what had just happened. A sharp "Ding" broke the silence... as Alex illuminated his flight attendant button, "I'm going to need another drink."
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