Always up-to-date

There used to be a time when we would race to the reception desk of our crew’s hotel every day. Just the lucky few would receive a fax from the home front, while the rest of us were kept in ignorance. Only on very long trips would we make a quick collect call to check how everyone was doing back home.

The whole world changed after the introduction of mobile networks and the worldwide web. Not least for those of us who travel a lot. Instead of hoping for a fax, the first thing we do on arrival nowadays is to get connected to the Internet and make sure we stay updated for the remainder of the trip.

'The WiFi signal is strongest here'In quite a few hotels, there’s wireless Internet in the room, like the hotel where I’m staying right now. (Sometimes you end up in funny places, though: I’ve installed my computer in the bathroom since the WiFi signal is strongest there.)

Facebook tells me that a sailing friend has arrived in Barbados safely. In my e-mail inbox I find a link to the pictures of my cousin’s birthday party last night. Twitter informs me about a quarrel between Dutch politicians, my digital newspaper updates me on the news in my country and the world, and I can even check my flight roster for the next four weeks on KLM’s intranet. Just a few minutes ago, I talked to my boyfriend on Skype and learned that our dog, which was run over by a car last week, is doing much better.

During a visit to a market this morning, I spotted a lovely, colourful quilt in a shop window. I took a picture of it and texted it to my boyfriend. He liked it as well, so I bought it. I’m over 8,000 kilometres from home but it doesn’t feel as far away as it used to. Being up-to-date all the time seems to eliminate distances.

I’m writing this blog in my bathroom office. In a few hours’ time, we’ll be flying home again. I’m looking forward to going home, especially since my summer leave will start this week. There’s just one disadvantage to being permanently up-to-date: when I get home there will be no surprises at all. Nor will my boyfriend be surprised by the quilt.

Caroline

Posted by:   Caroline  | 
Join the conversation Show comments

Lauravdlinde

I love your blog Caroline! It gives us a nice peek into your life as KLM flight attendant :) Can’t wait to become a flight attendant myself some day. 

Lauravdlinde

I love your blog Caroline! It gives us a nice peek into your life as KLM flight attendant :) Can’t wait to become a flight attendant myself some day. 

Renatolealferreira

It´s an exciting job beside which airline you are. But there is a big diference: low cost airlines we do no have the pleasure to enjoy the stay for days in a place and everything we pay from our wage. Cards, parking, uniform, etc. KLM is really the BEST airline that cares for its staff and I hope that times dont change when brands like Ryanair explore the employee till the last penny.
 

Renatolealferreira

It´s an exciting job beside which airline you are. But there is a big diference: low cost airlines we do no have the pleasure to enjoy the stay for days in a place and everything we pay from our wage. Cards, parking, uniform, etc. KLM is really the BEST airline that cares for its staff and I hope that times dont change when brands like Ryanair explore the employee till the last penny.
 

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