Playing truant

On cold, windy, rainy days I usually don’t mind leaving Holland. Especially when the flight is to an exotic place. While people struggle to work on their bikes or try not to get wet by huddling together at the bus stop, I am not at all sorry to be leaving.

In summer though, at times I find it rather hard to leave. Like on a sunny weekend afternoon. On balconies all over town, flowers are being watered, coffee is being drunk and the past week is discussed. The terraces in the centre of town are full of happy people, celebrating their weekend. The park is buzzing with activity, people playing football, picnicking, walking their dogs or with the kids, cooling themselves down in a pond or a fountain. You hear them making plans for the coming evening, which promises to be hot and long.

In the meantime, my uniform sticks to my skin as I make my way to the bus stop. “I don’t wanna go!” my heart cries out. “I want to spend the rest of the day on a terrace too, I want to cool down in that pond as well!”
Perhaps it’s all part of living in a country with distinct seasons. You don’t want to miss the best parts, because they could be gone at any moment. Travelling all over the world, I don’t want to miss out on those too-few days of perfect summer (or winter, or spring, or autumn) in my own country.

I am also reluctant to leave when I have to report for work in the evening. Like tonight. The family will soon be sitting cosily around the dinner table, chatting and relaxing, while I do my packing and rush to get to the airport.

I know, I know – I sound spoilt. Because when I return on one of those early, sunny weekday mornings, things are just the opposite. While everyone is rushing to work, I’ll be arriving home, with the rest of the week to myself. After all my years of flying, I still feel I am playing truant, taking time off while others can’t. And … the weather forecast looks good for the coming week!

Caroline