Flying to Sharjah

Well, it seems that we are in the air for about 2 hours now and should be 3 hours out from Sharjah (United Arab Emirates). There are certain things that are becoming evident, such as traveling with a child under the age of one internationally is a test of ones patience for sure. Also, traveling on an Arab-based Airlines is…uh…different on many different levels. Additionally, some things are inherently different no matter where one is outside the United States…especially when traveling on an Airplane. Let’s see how things pan out with but a few hours before arrival in the UAE.

First, yes it is a challenge to travel with an infant, especially on flights over 5 hours. There is just no way around it. Folks in charge of the travel authorities in various countries do nothing to make this easier either. I will say that KAA (Kenyan Air Authority or something similar) was much easier than TSA or the British equivalent. The Kenyans are very understanding when it comes to traveling with Children. It was very obvious, to them, that infants require special foods, liquids, and even travel equipment. Compare that to the US or Brits who think that anyone with an infant should pay dearly for the nerve to travel…almost like they get some sick type of humorous fulfillment to see just how difficult they can make it. The hoops my wife had to jump through when traveling from the U.S. through London onward to Nairobi was horrible. There is no way that one could have much of a positive experience traveling that way. Now, on our way to Sharja, things are much easier albeit our daughter is being a tad challenging on her own accord.

We were fortunate enough to get a bassinet seat on this flight. This gives us our own row at the front with a wall-mounted flat bassinet that she initially thought was a playground, not a place to sleep. We tried feeding, bottles, playing, plugs…everything trying to get her to sleep. Finally, we bought a blanket, got her sleepy, wrapped her up and things are good to go. For some reason, we thought going somewhere that averages 105 degrees…we may not need a heavy blanket. Forgot about cold airplanes, I guess. This airline is a spin off of something like Southwest but cheaper. It cost the three of us about $500 USD to fly round trip. Most other airlines were going to cost closer to $1200-$1500 USD. To get around this, EVERYTHING costs you. Not supposed to bring food on board nor drink, and everything is available…at a cost. This includes earphones and blankets…either of which if you want one you have to buy the other. I will say that it is not that expensive though…$8 USD for a blanket, headphones, eye-shade, and a nifty Ziploc bag to store it in. Regardless, I would have paid $50 USD for the blanket considering it helped my daughter sleep for awhile empowering us to relax for a bit.

There are also differences in an Arabic-run airline. Not the cheap part…that would be a stereotype that would not be supported on this forum…albeit it is kind of funny to consider. The first part is the distinct Muslim flair. The first message delivered is always in Arabic and also includes the Muslim salutation of “As Salaam Alaikum” meaning (roughly in English) God’s blessing to you. I would say roughly 80% of the folks onboard are familiar with this salutation (including this author) and it seemed normal. I also saw the other 20% maybe seeming miffed by it. Funny how some folks would be upset if their beliefs (faith) were not tolerated yet immediately throw stones in a glass house. In addition, the first book of the Quran was read prior to take off. Basically, it says that there is one and only one God, none other before H` im and He is responsible for everything and everybody. I actually liked the fact that there was a quick prayer that all things work out prior to departure. After our past experiences every little bit of help is appreciated.

The other difference in an Arab-based airline…right before take-off, the head stewardess popped the top off of two air sanitizers and walked the entire length of the cabin…and it was GREATLY APPRECIATED! Arabs, like a lot of Kenyans, not only do not think Soap is something one should use every day but Deodorant is either a luxury or optional…kind of like turn signals on cars. There is something to be said about someone walking past and wafting dirty ass and various other body odors so strong that it masks everything else for 10-30 seconds of your world. I have smelt dead things (long dead) that do not have the strength of this type of smell. Chemistry experiments left in the refrigerator for months that cannot compare…and these folks do not even seem to notice it!!! Maybe they think everyone is crying for joy that they grace us with their presence…not that the odors are like 30 raw onions being chopped mere inches from our eyeballs. I will give the fact that there are a lot of folks out there that cannot necessarily afford to take showers every day and further cannot afford deodorant. I get that. I do not get the folks that are flying places, wearing designer clothes , sunglasses, and shoes…expensive luggage and can afford expensive coffee drinks in the airport cannot afford to wash their dirty ass with a cheap bar of soap at least once a day…and utilize some sort of deodorant. Sure, some cultures do not mind one smelling like flattened-fauna left simmering in the July Sun…but not in an enclosed environment like an airplane! THERE SHOULD BE LAWS!!!

I also know that if this flight were to leave from any major airport in the United States…probably half the white folk would have bailed on this flight due to the stereotype of the folks flying on this one. Other than me and one other dude, EVERYONE looks the part. Some more so than others, but the mold is fit. TSA mirror-foggers would lose their freaking mind watching some of these people try to go through security. For example, a few of the guys that boarded the flight looked like they should be on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted International list. Some of them are probably buttholes and some of them are probably really cool…kind of like any folks from any culture or religion. While some feel that anyone that is Muslim is automatically a bad person and others feel that anyone that is Muslim is better than anyone that is not…get a grip, people are people. I am very interested in seeing what it is like to be in a Muslim country that “somewhat” practices a version of Sharia law. If we are fortunate enough to gain employment while we are there and go back, I am excited to see what it is like living in a Muslim country to see how it affects society as a whole…as well as what they think of Americans.

There is going to be a lot of changes continuing from USA, to Kenya, to United Arab Emirates. Although cosmopolitan, Sharja is a bit different than Dubai…a lot more traditional with fewer “Western” distractions like Prostitution and Drug Abuse. The growth has been much more controlled in Sharja and therefore they had kept a better handle on it. Regardless, I am excited to check it out, excited to get on the ground with an infant, and probably going to be excited to get into air-conditioning once we reach.

Peace,

Dude