Far Away From Home by Maya

I sat, taking my books and IPad out of my carry-on bag. Then, I put on my seat belt. I adjust the strap on my waist like adjusting the straps on my back pack. The plane doesn’t have comfortable seats. I begin to get comfortable when I hear the pilots voice boom out of the speaker above my head.

“Good afternoon,” he said in a chirpy voice. “I am your pilot I hope we have a great flight,” he continued. “Please, prepare yourself for take-off and turn of any electronics,” boomed out of the speaker above my head.

I CAN’T WAIT! The plane started moving on the runway like a little boy rolling his toy car; fast and slightly out of control. The plane makes a huge jolt that made my stomach twist and knot up. The plane started speeding up, getting faster by the second.  Then, we start flying! I looked out the window; we were off the run way and hovering over the ground. Slowly, the plane got higher and higher and higher into the air like a bird taking off from land. Outside, the buildings looked like doll houses, I could barely make out the windows on the houses. Outside I saw the clouds that looked like white cotton candy, fluffy and soft looking.

I have sat here in this stiff uncomfortable air plane chair for such a long time. I knew you had to sit in a plane for a long time. But not this long. My legs are stiff as metal rods. My mouth as dry as a dessert. My arms limp like spaghetti by my sides. I am sitting on this plane for so many hours that I just can’t stop myself from asking:

“Ugh, mom when are we going to get off this plane?” I moaned like a wounded animal.
“Soon Maya,” my mom said in a soothing voice.
That’s what you said 1 hour ago I think. I am reading a book and waiting to get off this plane. Hope rises in me as I hear the pilot’s voice crackle to life on the speaker.
“Hello, it is 4:30 here in Guatemala, 75 degrees,” the pilot informs us. “Please get ready to land, turn off all electronics and pack up all your things,” the pilot said in a stern voice.  “Make sure you don’t leave anything behind” He continued.

Yay! I think. Finally, I will be off this plane and with my family. All the way in Guatemala. Far away from home.