“When I was a lad I could only dream of holidays abroad, you don’t know how lucky you are.” The words of my father chastising me as an eleven year-old boy still ring in my ears as we boarded a flight. Up until this time, I had only experienced a handful of holidays much nearer to home. Today we were flying halfway across the globe, yet I had decided to whine as I began to dread the fourteen-hour flight. My father had earned a decent living in sales for most of his life, but had just taken the bold step to leave sales and join the airline industry. Whilst he’d endured a cut in salary, the perk of his new role meant bargain holidays with the prospect of being promoted into the club cabin! My father’s forehead was creased into furrows of fury as I continued my protests as we boarded the aeroplane. I began to pull at my mother’s sleeve to see if I could invoke any pity but her eyes were fixed on the aeroplane door. Two well-presented air stewardesses were stood warmly greeting the passengers. They had noticed my distress and greeted me with a kind smile, instantly making me feel embarrassed. I could feel my cheeks redden as they gave a friendly Welcome to my father.
“I’ve some wonderful news for you”, the made-up stewardess cried, winking at my mother.
As we were led into the cabin, I was startled by the huge armchairs that we were greeted with. This was the rich people sat, my mother informed me. We took our seats and my protest was forgotten as I began to play with the various buttons in my chair. My scepticism for the flight and been replaced by sudden excitement. I knew my mother had been plotting Mauritius holidays for years, and today she was realising her dream. She’d fantasized about the clich©d white, sandy beaches and startling clear water. As we sat in the Club cabin, I began to realise something of the privilege I had been given. Sadly, the holiday was somewhat of a disappointment, as the deserted beaches and calm water shown in the brochure appeared to be pure fabrication. But that moment on the plane made me desire more travel, and soon Bali holidays followed. It was here that my mother realised her fantasy of perfect beaches, and continues to travel there to this day!
Today, the world has been shrunk by evolving technology and more efficient aircraft design which has ultimately reduced fares. It is easy to overlook that this has not always been the case. Never has the opportunity to travel and explore places different from home been so extensive. Still enjoying the benefits of my father’s staff travel, I now enjoy Thailand holidays, thriving in the wonderful nightlife and tourist attractives. At the age of twenty-four, I have perhaps seen more of the world than I am entitled to, and for that I have my father and his job to thank!
