The Stretch Between
The long part of the journey lives in the air.
Our Air France flight from Atlanta to Paris was genuinely pleasant. A newer plane. Big screens. Reliable Wi-Fi. Eight hours felt long, but manageable. We landed a little early, which quietly stretched our layover to nearly six hours.
Paris was worth every minute.
But by the time we returned to the airport, the fatigue had settled in.
We moved smoothly through security. We reached the gate with about twenty minutes to spare before boarding. Just enough time to sit still for a moment.
The second leg from Paris to Dubai…was harder. An older aircraft. Fewer comforts. Smaller screens. Slower Wi-Fi. Sleep didn’t come easily, if at all. The flight arrived about thirty minutes late, and after more than seven hours in the air, every minute was felt.
Touching down in Dubai felt like relief.
Not excitement yet.
Not energy.
Just the quiet satisfaction of having made it through the longest stretch.
Some parts of the journey you enjoy.
Some you endure.
Both count.
