Wherever you are, go to a window, and look out at the sky. Chances are, if you live in America, you see at least one or two planes RIGHT NOW. Since coming to the Gambia, I have seen approximately 2 planes… in four months. And by approximately, I mean exactly.
On one of these rare occurrences when I saw an airplane in the sky, I was sitting with my young friend Maimuna. She looked up, gasped, and asked me what being on an airplane is like. I told her it was just like sitting in a car, but less bumpy. Then she asked more questions.
Are there roads that the plane drives on in the sky?
- No, there aren’t any roads… it’s… well it’s kept up by wind… more is pushing up than down… you have to go really fast…
She was confused by this answer. She decided to change topics from the physics of air travel to the logistics.
Do you just go to the airport and wait for a plane to come, like with a gele gele?
- No… you have to go online… umm, you have to go on the internet and search for a flight leaving when you want to leave.
So you can hire a plane for when you want to go?
- … no. They only leave on certain days at certain times… and you have to be there then.
So you just showed up at the airport and bought your ticket?
- …no. you buys tickets online… on the computer. With a credit card.
So you sent your money?
- …no. credit cards send it automatically… over the computer… or phone wires… or internet. You have special numbers that link to your bank account… (this continued for many minutes, with me backtracking, starting over, giving false information, and overall confusing Maimuna thoroughly.) You see?
Ok.
Self realization: I have no idea how to buy a plane ticket if you don’t do it on the internet.
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