The cry for sleep

There used to be a time when I had no problem at all staying awake at night. I would just switch that button in my head to ‘on’, and my body would listen. Nowadays it can be quite a struggle to make it through a sleepless night. Since many KLM flights to Amsterdam are night flights, I am confronted with this ‘challenge’ on most of my trips.

I had one of those struggles on my last homebound flight. The cabin was dark, most of our Business Class passengers were asleep and my colleague was having a rest period. The cry for sleep became louder and louder. So I walked through the cabin, creeping past the sleeping passengers and pouncing upon anyone who made a movement. “Can I get you anything to drink? No? Anything to eat then?” But you can’t do this forever. I guess it becomes rather annoying if a flight attendant pesters you with questions whenever you move in your sleep.

A lot of my colleagues read a newspaper during those quiet moments. Not me. Even before I’ve finished the intro of an article, my head starts to make funny moves and I need full concentration to keep my eyes open. But it’s easy to keep yourself busy with all sorts of odd jobs in the galley for a while. So I prepared the breakfast, cleaned out the coffee machines and collected empty cans. According to my watch, I had another hour to go, so I crept into the cabin again. But the only passenger who stirred was one whom I had stalked twice before. When I passed him, he just smiled, shook his head and closed his eyes again, before I had even asked him anything.

Cry4sleepBack in the galley I grabbed a newspaper after all. But soon my head made those funny moves so I decided I would have to get active again. Just then, a voice started to sing an old Dutch lullaby. The passenger whom I’d pestered a couple of times before, was standing next to me, laughing. “Saved by the bell,” he said. “Ok, I’ve got a job for you. Please find me a house I don’t have yet.” He handed over his list of Delft Blue miniature houses; the ones he already had were marked.

When he disembarked a few hours later, I thanked him for getting me through the night. A few passengers nearby looked surprised, but he laughed loudly.

Caroline

Posted by:   Caroline  | 
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Anonymous

Did you find him a house he didn’t already have? :-)

Guest

I was wondering about the same.

FridaFrosk

Did you find him a house he didn’t already have? :-)

Guest

I was wondering about the same.

Ybolton1

Night shift is hard work!

Ybolton1

Night shift is hard work!

RC Traas

Most of the time keeping yourself busy (moving) is the only way to stay awake.

RC Traas

Most of the time keeping yourself busy (moving) is the only way to stay awake.

Julien

Echt super leuk om je verhalen allemaal te lezen en je schrijft ook heel leuk, top. Ga zo door! :)

Julien

Echt super leuk om je verhalen allemaal te lezen en je schrijft ook heel leuk, top. Ga zo door! :)

Emie_84

For a flight attendant at KLM your English sucks

Emie_84

For a flight attendant at KLM your English sucks

Joe

A HUGE request.

I have a wonderful wife that is the light of my life. Unfortunately I have a very hard time buying gifts for her. She hardly ever asks for anything. Her birthday is next month. On a flight to Amsterdam last week she spotted a set of jewelry in the onflight magazine that she said was beautiful. “RUSSIAN TRIO – by BUCKLEY” see photo Here 

That is what I will get her for her birthday I thought. But I couldn’t buy it right there in front of her, so I jotted down the information to buy it online. But Noooo. it turns out it is a specialty item that can only be purchased to be delivered ON THE AIRPLANE.  I can not find it any where else.

I am hoping to find a gracious stewardess who would be willing to purchase it for me and ship it to my address in Kentucky USA. i would be willing to pay some one for the trouble with PayPal, CC, Visa, AmEx, Cash, Marks, Yen, Pounds, or wampum.

If anyone would be willing to help I would be eternally grateful.

Joe

Joe Castillo

joe@joeCastillo.com

301 Apricot Court

Richmond, KY 40475

859-625-2289

Joe

A HUGE request.

I have a wonderful wife that is the light of my life. Unfortunately I have a very hard time buying gifts for her. She hardly ever asks for anything. Her birthday is next month. On a flight to Amsterdam last week she spotted a set of jewelry in the onflight magazine that she said was beautiful. “RUSSIAN TRIO – by BUCKLEY” see photo Here 

That is what I will get her for her birthday I thought. But I couldn’t buy it right there in front of her, so I jotted down the information to buy it online. But Noooo. it turns out it is a specialty item that can only be purchased to be delivered ON THE AIRPLANE.  I can not find it any where else.

I am hoping to find a gracious stewardess who would be willing to purchase it for me and ship it to my address in Kentucky USA. i would be willing to pay some one for the trouble with PayPal, CC, Visa, AmEx, Cash, Marks, Yen, Pounds, or wampum.

If anyone would be willing to help I would be eternally grateful.

Joe

Joe Castillo

joe@joeCastillo.com

301 Apricot Court

Richmond, KY 40475

859-625-2289

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