Re: What to do during flights and transits?
^ these people are a few inches away from you. why be anti social and stare into a magazine when their stories will give you it's amazing the types of people you'll find. some of the most interesting people i have met have shared a seat next to me. on long haul lights real friendships can be developed.
some stories:
-i've met a texan, cow boy hat and all on a flight to karachi. he was going there for surgery. the guy, a grand father at the age of 60 had chosen pakistan over india because his doctor in houston was a pakistani. it melted my heart when he talked about his grand children. no stereotypes of texans does justice to what this man taught me about a people few have understood.
-i've met a french canadian on my way to london, bound by language we drew diagrams and shared snacks for 7 hours. he had a day to spend before his tour group took him around europe, and i regret to this day that i did not offer to show him around a bit of london. he walked down into the tube, and it was there that our friendhsip of a few hours ended.
-i've met another french canadian on a domestic flight who was suffering from a severe cold. the poor girl, maybe 20 at most was so paranoid i'd mind. i told her i didnt mind, i just had the cold - she could sneeze on me and i wouldnt flinch. when you're stuck in a plane, in a seat you didnt chose, it's comforting to know your neighbour isnt an ass.
that is all :-)