By: Angel Xu
There’s something about the whole ritual of flying that I’ve always had a fondness for. The whole glitz and glam of it, per say. Setting the 5 alarms for a 4:45 wake up call, the sluggish Uber ride to the airport. Checking my bag, praying it gets to my final destination. The height of luxury? Going to not just one, but two Hudson News to grab my SmartWater from one, and snacks for the plane at another.
On my American flight today to Los Angeles, to my shocked pleasure, the airline was serving breakfast. My first domestic 5-hour plus flight where they don’t expect us to subsidize ourselves on turbulence and recycled air? Call me shook.
I wasn’t sure if it was the altitude or what, but I have a bold and perhaps even shocking statement. Airplane food is good. Better than good. Delicious in fact. The flight attendant asking if I wanted Belgian Waffles, Oatmeal or a Nuts and Cheese plate was the best surprise, sweet nothings I got whispered in my ear in a long time. It gave me a tingle. I also love that Nuts and Cheese is a breakfast option — even in unprecedented times, here are no rules in the lawless skies.
I am a creature of habit so my only breakfast option is eggs. Since this doesn’t exist, I had to settle for oatmeal.
Oatmeal and I have a love hate relationship. I ate it to death while in college like clockwork without complaint. Quick cooking steel cut oats, peanut butter cinnamon and apples. Day in, day out, I was a good soldier. My hyper fixation even exited after after college; my taste buds matured to bananas and blueberries.Â
I’ve entered my mid-twenties and now I was watching my health and cholesterol so I dose up my oats with goji berries, flax, chia seeds and hemp seeds. Yes my darling young Gen X folks, you do end up turning into your mothers and going to your doctor appointments and worrying about your health.
Sadly, somehow one day as of a year ago, I woke up and oatmeal gave me the horrid ick. Something about the texture resembled congealed glue and I couldn’t get myself to even finish a bowl. Hot or cold, no can do.
But American Airlines helped me see the light and I had a religious experience. This was best oatmeal I’ve ever had. Nutty, chewy, refreshing with pops of sweet acidic blueberries with every bite. No peanut butter or toppings needed. Washed down with a classic watered-down coffee and two half and half’s. My lactose intolerance doesn’t exist in the friendly skies.Â
I planned to sleep on this flight and instead, I’m sitting here writing this in my notes. Usually my palms are clenched tight from anxiety but I am CALM. I can’t give the oatmeal all the credit though. This jello analogy to flying is a godsend — thank you for the other half of BB for finding this.
Ok maybe I’m just excited for the semblance of normalcy, whatever that is again. Even when it’s just having an airplane meal. Even when it’s just a plain cold bowl of oats in my seat 12D.Â