The end of the year is usually vacation time for many folks who take to the skies for holidays abroad. There are so many airlines, budget and regular, that travelers are spoilt for choice but of course to stretch the dollar further many would opt for budget airlines and use the extra savings on their holiday.The news that an aircraft had crashed most likely due to severe bad weather conditions and the delayed approval of a request to ascend to higher altitude in order to avoid the turbulent storms is most distressing. It is a known fact that air corridors are now congested with planes flying at different altitudes. There is also the possibility that inadequate equipment at air traffic control centers to handle the demands of high traffic in the air may lead to unforeseen circumstances which could result in accidents.
It doesn’t help that the flights taken towards the end of the year can be very turbulent. My last experience was quite frightening in view of the very recent air crash which has been confirmed to be due to the bad weather conditions. Passing through the thick clouds caused the plane to shake and shudder and I could feel my internal organs moving in tandem. I didn’t feel queasy as such but I kept my eyes closed and thought of my belief in God from whom I had asked for journey blessings when I boarded the plane. This kept me cool and calm.
When the flight steadied enough I went back to my crossword puzzles.
The turbulence was off and on throughout the flight but praise the Lord, the captain brought us safely to our destination and we all walked off the plane with thanks in our hearts.
Not only have we come through a turbulent flight but also a year that has seen many calamities and disasters. It is time to say farewell to this year and to welcome the New Year which is just a few hours away.
