Date: Tue, 10 May 1998 13:13:06 +0000 From: Amos Taylor ataylor@levi.urova.fi To: vr@x-i.net Subject: airport

The plane journey to helsinki I will tell you about only because it says something about future cultures.

On the plane in front of me a group of muslim refugees are creating chaos. Its understandable I suppose, as they have not been on a plane before and have brought all their worldly posessions into the cabin wrapped in cloth. The airfrance stewardesses and pilot can´t communicate with them, but after finaly a bit of forceful shoving and pointing; the one man and three girls are seated, and belongings stored, somewhere...

With the muslim girls in the seat behind and the suited muslim man/boy two seats away from me, the plane begins its take-off. We arrive above the clouds and as I look toward the man I realise he has a childish exploration movement with his eyes and hands. He pulls and plays with every ashtray, button, or movable object he can reach ; calling the stewardess 5 times and reclining his and his neighbors seat until it becomes more than funny. his neghbor a Finnish woman in between me and him has my pitty and respect, because for the rest of the flight she was tormented and made uncomfortable, but always she held some humour.

The food arrives... I can say that airplane food is difficult to eat without a little bit of mess, but... The food we are to eat is beef stew with a creamy sauce and vegetables... I have never seen anyone eat beef stew with a creamy sayce with their hands... not until then. He ate, mouth open stew falling onto him and the Finnish lady beside him, I must say he really enjoyed the food, as he finished quite fast, licking the flight food container clean. The next thing he did demonstraited the difference in personal space. finishing his food he placed the dishes and tray, (much to the surprise of the woman beside him), on her eating desk, puting his own table away so that he could streach out and be comfortable.

As we discussed the situation, she and me, he leant over both of us to look out of the window, leaning aginst our faces with his body. The journey continued like this until we came to land... The landing was a little bumpy, and I suddenly felt a push and tapping on the back of my seat. Unfortunatly One of the girls hed been really sick, which is wierd because I think they had quite delicate eating manners. he on the other hand although confused from the landing managed to keep his air france beef stew. Well there was a smell and it became worse as we had to wait on the plane for some time.

I felt sorry for them as they walked into the Passport hall and lined up for the Eropean passport holders only. They were lead into another room by some security, which is a shame as they were really totaly confused and im not sure if they ever left the helsinki airport.