we are not going to scotland

Me: I’m loading the iPod for the flight. What kind of music do you want?
Steph: Bagpipes, Buffy! Tons and TONS of bagpipes!

I’m accustomed to flying solo, or with The Euro. I’ve never done it with anyone else. This will be my first girls-only holiday. It’s Steph’s first time on an airplane.

As a recovering aerophobic myself, I understand her pain. Ten years ago – to the very day we’ll be travelling – I took my first flight. It took two doses of horse tranquilizer to keep me calm (that’s only a slight exaggeration). In September 2001 I finally got over my fear. I remember sitting in New York the day before taking off thinking I’m not the least bit bothered by this. How great is that?. Two days later, 9-11. Needless to say it took a few more years of in-flight breathing exercises before I outgrew the nervousness again.

I’m trying to make the whole experience as comfortable as possible for my girl Steph. Admittedly, this could be a bit tricky. She’s a teetotaler who wont even pop an Advil so my Have a glass of red and relax routine isn’t really gonna work on her. Same goes for the horse tranquilizers. Obviously.

So if bagpipes is what she wants. Bagpipes is what she’ll get. That, and a lot of chocolate. Because chocolate. Is good. For everything.