How many people have the good fortune to travel by plane? I was one of the fortunate few. My first flight in the air was the most exciting experience in my life.
I was travelling from Delhi to London by air. I entered the aeroplane in the morning. It was like getting into a car or bus but the noise of the machine made us feel that it was different. Soon the plane took off and rose in the air higher and higher. The buzzing sound which had fascinated me continued. When I looked down, things looked tiny.
The plane rushed fast through the air without a bump or a jolt, when all of a sudden bad weather overtook us. The plane began to swing from side to side and the pilot was a little troubled in controlling it, but I felt happy like a bird swinging in the air. Due to weather, some of the passengers felt sick. Some slept in their seats but I sat still. I took great pleasure in looking at the scenery of the different places as we passed over.
After flying for a few hours, we were told that we were passing over a big desert which looked like a meadow from the air. It was a lovely sight. The sun was just setting. The ships below looked like toys floating in a tub of water. The blue sea was simply enchanting.
We stopped at Cairo for the night. The coming down of the plane was quite pleasant. The plane had made some peculiar movements while landing. I was told that it was due to some engine trouble.
During dinner I was introduced to the members of the plane crew. There was the chief pilot who commanded the plane. Then there was a co-pilot, a radio officer .and three officers belonging to the plane. One of them was an engineer, another radio expert and the third radioman. There were also pursers and air hostesses to look after the passengers.
We retired for rest very soon as the plane was to take off very early in the morning. But I could not sleep. If ever I closed my eyes, I was awakened by a constant buzzing sound in my brain and I began to think again of the lands...