I had flown on a plane this size only once before, and it was disastrous for my father’s plaid shirt which he offered as I got sick. This plane to Tik’al in Guatemala could carry six passengers, light luggage and a pilot.
I took a deep breath. Air travel was a big part of the trip expense to see major Maya pyramids, but it saved us two full days and over 400 miles round trip by bus. I could do this. Sitting in the first passenger row next to my friend M, she smiled and I smiled back. Then, I saw the pilot cross himself.
Oh my…we’re going to die…
If the pilot wasn’t sure of his abilities…. A little over an hour flying felt like a lot longer. Thankfully I was not sick. The clincher was once the three wheels touched down, all the passengers began to clap. Relieved to be back on the ground? Were we that close to disaster? M applauded along with four Guatemalan passengers and she gave me the stink eye until I did the same.
A friend who lives in Mexico assures me clapping at landing is normal. Upon reflection, asking for the blessing of the creator upon departure and thanking the pilot for a safe journey are cultural touchstones I admire.
Stories about Tikal temples next Thursday!
Any plane ride stories you’d like to share?
¡Olé! –Rebecca
Fake Flamenco 
And then you also had to fly back?
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That’s right! By then I was so excited about what we had seen and I knew the customs so I could clap with the best of them. 😉
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Sounds like a great adventure.
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Thanks, Sadje. I’m grateful to my friend M who planned our adventure!
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Looking forward to reading more.
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Thank you, Sadje!
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My pleasure
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Oh wow what a throwback 👏🏻
Glad you are safe 🛩️
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Thanks, Devang. Pictures of the temples next week!
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I shall wait
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Well, that sounds … different. No, I can’t offer a story. I haven’t flown too often, and though the views down to the earth below are always thrilling, I have little to report.
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Thanks, Margaret. Must admit I’m glad you’ve had calm flights. 🙂
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The only kind of flights I ever really enjoyed were the ones with lots of fresh air, like the helicopter flights in Vietnam with both doors open. Also I once rode in a small observation plane where I was sitting right behind the pilot, with both of my elbows sticking out the open windows on both sides.
But otherwise I can’t stand flying, and I haven’t flown at all since 2005.
(I currently have no need to fly, since I am here already.)
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Wow, I can’t say I’ve had the wind in my hair that way while flying. Living abroad and traveling does sound ideal. My uncle was a helicopter pilot in Viet Nam in 1967. Thank you for your service.
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Great narrative, Rebecca.
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Thank you kindly, Neal!
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Clapping at landing is quite normal. (And my wife, who’s Colombian, crosses herself whenever we take the car outside the city…)
I did fly that plane. Impressive… Part of the fun…
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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Yes, I was quoting you about the clapping 👏 A little prayer never hurt to make the car or plane journey safer.
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Great photo! Fun adventure! I would do it too, fly and pray. 😊
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Thanks, Michele. Yes, fun adventure with my friend off in the jungle.
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How wonderful! What year?
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’94! 🙂
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The photo has a vintage look to it and yet ’94 doesn’t seem that long ago. 😆
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Yes, the colors faded quite a bit, plus it was not digital, I scanned it in. I think I used discount photo finishing back in the 90s… 😆
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I like the vintage look!
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Thanks, Michele!
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Rides into the jungle on small planes Are an Adventure!!
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Yes, you have stories too, I take it, from Ecuador.
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Aside from a helicopter ride I took over the Grand Canyon when I was a kid, I’ve only ever flown commercial planes. Give or take some being a bit smaller than others, I haven’t had anything too wild happen while on the flight, bar some turbulence. Your flight to Tikal sounds thrilling; can’t wait to hear what you did there in the next post (Tikal’s on my bucket list)!
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A helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon sounds fantastic. Thanks for that story. Tikal is worthy of a place on your bucket list, esteemed traveler! More stories and vintage-looking photos to come. 🙂
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