Our destination this year is Australia and surrounding areas. We have purchased a one way ticket, visas, accommodations for six nights, and are anticipating 26 hours of travel time from Vancouver to Sidney, with a short 2 hour layover in China. A long haul...yes! Good thing I enjoy flying, but sleeping is always a problem! I'm a poor sleeper at the best of times, and only a catnapper on planes, buses, cars, boats. I walk aimlessly around the plane while everyone has settled in for a few hours sleep. I read, watch movie after movie, watch other people sleep, and wonder how they do it!! Friends and acquaintances say sleeping drugs could be the answer. But, I am reluctant!! I'd rather feel tired and grumpy, than groggy and foggy! Candy Crush won't be able to fill the void, as it needs an internet connection. Sudoku, word games, solitaire, journal writing, bathroom visits are some of my companions. Our journey will chase the sun. It is the oddest thing to be flying and following the sun around its orbit. Flight attendants, with watchful eyes, are quick to your side if you lift the window blind to sneak a peak of this wonder. They politely tell you to close the blind. They want everyones' melatonin to kick in so sleep is available. But not to me. The sandman passes me by! My body aches longingly for the prone position. I am bewildered by how others so easily sleep in a sitting position. During this long trip, I will catch a few moments of sleep here and there, but not much more. Feeling exhausted, cold, unable to sit much longer, we will finally arrive at our destination, make our way through immigration, security, and pick up our backpacks. We will leave the terminal, and look for the person who we have arranged accommodations with. He has kindly offered to meet us at the airport and take us to his home where we can finally get a good night, or in our case because we arrive at 9:30 AM, a good day sleep!
