Comments on: “The imaginary flight has the children captivated.”

By: Sami

Sami — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:34:14 +0000

Yes, saw Sooni Taraporevala’s hilarious and senstive film LITTLE ZIZOU at SALTAF in DC. Really eerie the connection! The flight simulator in the film was being built by the son of a fundamentalist leader who called himself “Son of Psycho” on his blog. Because the film was all about fundamentalism versus tolerance and love (wow it exists in every community doesnt it?), the flight simulator was made by these young guys to be accessible and open to all. If you haven’t seen the movie, watch out for it next year in more festivals and hopefully in theaters.

By: Milky Java

Milky Java — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:23:22 +0000

Anna, how does one percolate coffee with milk instead of water? Would that work in a regular "coffee maker" percolater that you buy at Wal-mart? Seems to me that the milk would burn against the inner aluminum/material?

Is there a percolater especially made for this type of brewing? Clue me in!!!!!

By: Crest

Crest — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:52:28 +0000

Great piece-very touching. I remember my first flight, also to India. I was five and for some reason the travel agent messed up on the reservation so my mom, sister and I had three middle seats all throughout the plane. My mom was so worried that I would be scared and tried so hard to get somebody to switch with her-but of course nobody wanted a middle seat. But I was totally fine-probably the start of my independence! I now fly all the time for work, get on a plane to see my family at least once a month and the airport has become a second home. I know the best sandwich shops in Ft. Lauderdale international, the best place to find a beer and live music during a layover in Nashville and the best place to get online in Chicago. There are so many of us that fly to see a long distance boyfriend or girlfriend-and best friends that are now scattered throughout this great country and world of ours. I still feel a sense of awe and a bit of fear when a plane takes off and lands. Recently I had a plane diverted for some mechanical problems. Though we were all fine and just got home quite late the woman next to me was very VERY scared-and it does make you realize that even though for some of us flying is now a part of life there is always a risk and it’s not something that we should take for granted.

By: Caramelmoiselle

Caramelmoiselle — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 12:40:38 +0000

I really liked this piece and how whimsical it is. Beautiful

By: They Call Me Trinity

They Call Me Trinity — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 11:13:34 +0000

Grew up next to an airport. Watched flights take off and land forever. Knew the schedules by heart, as also the type of planes and such. It was 80's India; there were about 4-5 flights per day, until 92-93, when they had Jet Airways and Modi-Luft and East West Airways and some other airlines (NEPC?)

Took the first flight out of my hometown after school; your reality changes from 2d to 3d. Been flying for eight years now, mostly personal, some business; some 180,000 km by my estimate. Still feel it's surreal, still collect every single boarding pass I've used.

By: SSK

SSK — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:49:20 +0000

14 Â· LandBeyond7Zs said

Nice story, I can empathize. I am a poor kid wanting to make that Virgin Space Flight. I have always dreamt of going to space and feel the weightlessness. But I am so damn poor to afford it. Please donate money to make my dream come true!.

To experience weightlessness, you could always book a ride on the vomet-comet. It's pretty expensive at around $6000 a pop though. (Or, if you're in science, think of a cool experiment, and you can get the taxpayers to pay for you!)

By: A N N A

A N N A — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:13:17 +0000

Thanks for the comments, everyone.

8 Â· Bridget Jones said

Wonder whether these air-travel starved Indian kids be inspired to careers such as pilots, air-hostess, merchant navy officers etc ?

One of the little boys featured does indeed want to grow up to be a pilot. The in-flight crew has aspiring stewardesses, too; they think it’s good practice, might give them an an edge, etc.

16 Â· BlueVanMeer said

BTW, I recently read a book, subsequent research on the author somehow reminded me of your father’s day post. It is not a great book, but it has the most fervently and perfectly daydreamed father I’ve ever come across.

Wow, thank you for thinking of me. Will check it out the next time I’m near the bookstore.

By: BlueVanMeer

BlueVanMeer — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:31:55 +0000

Nice post, I still remember my transition to that lucky 3%. I joined the Air Force wing of the National Cadet Corps so that I could have a chance to fly. Didn’t work out. I tried joining the Air Force itself, that also didn’t work out. Then I tried the Navy’s air wing, the Army’s air wing, didn’t work out. Finally I decided to go back to school for graduate studies, and bingo!

BTW, I recently read a book, subsequent research on the author somehow reminded me of your father’s day post. It is not a great book, but it has the most fervently and perfectly daydreamed father I’ve ever come across.

By: A-kay

A-kay — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:38:30 +0000

Touching piece! I remember mopping a few years back, as everyone in my house have taken a trans-atlantic or pacific flight except me, before I got into one. To think and know that I am one of the 3% of Indian population drills some perspective in my head! Thanks for posting this, Anna.

By: LandBeyond7Zs

LandBeyond7Zs — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:45:20 +0000

Nice story, I can empathize. I am a poor kid wanting to make that Virgin Space Flight. I have always dreamt of going to space and feel the weightlessness. But I am so damn poor to afford it. Please donate money to make my dream come true!.