My parents, however, did not seem to be aware of the risks involved in launching on our European holidays. Travelling by sea seemed part of the family tradition, with a strong leaning toward securing passage on one of the sister-ships Esperia and Ozonia, which alone met with my parents' complete approval. For a long time, I believed that sea voyages were chic, hence their choice of this mode of transportation. Anyway, my father would not hear of it. Only businessmen in a hurry flew, and he prided himself on not being one of them.
Fear of flying is peculiar in that it never lessens.
In recent times, with the publicity surrounding the increasing number of plane crashes, I have spent many sleepless nights before purchasing airline tickets. I avidly consult horoscopes to choose an auspicious date, and play number and letter games. I avoid travelling on Fridays, too. Still, my stomach churns and my legs wobble, my hearts beats in my throat and my hands are clammy on D-day. At the airport, I stare at the check-in counter without seeing it and ask for directions several times.