Opera, Oceans, and Waiting for Godot
Long-haul flights always feel like theatre of the absurd. Endless hours breathing recycled air, waiting for the meal cart, waiting for sleep that never comes, waiting just to wait some more. It’s a little like Beckett’s Waiting for Godot—except in my case, I’m waiting for Sydney.
In just two days, I’ll be on my way to Australia. I’m thrilled to get there… less so for the actual 21-hour flight. Last time I went, the trip was all about networking and laying the groundwork for relationships. This time, there’s real singing to do—not long after stepping off the plane. Which means juggling fatigue, dehydration, and jet lag. Not ideal, but definitely doable.
Jet-Lag Eye Bags
I’ve tried every trick to fight jet lag, but truthfully, there’s no magic cure for resetting your body clock. I’ve experimented with melatonin, napping across empty rows, and even alcohol once… never again.
My most successful “jet lag hack” happened by accident. On my last trip to Australia, I had an 11-hour layover in Los Angeles. We swam and had lunch at Hermosa Beach, then went rock climbing. After a well-deserved shower, we headed back to LAX and flew across the Pacific. Somehow, we slept through most of the flight and arrived in Fiji slightly rested. Five hours later we landed in Sydney, where Dom’s aunt and uncle greeted us. Shortly after, we crashed for 10 hours. Exhausted—but at least partially synced with Aussie time.
I think that was mostly luck. The flight home was TERRIBLE (I’ll save that story to compare with my flight back this time). I don’t have much faith in being that lucky again, though I hear Qantas has better seats, so we’ll see. Like Godot, rest is always promised, always expected, but somehow never arrives when you want it to.
DehYdRaTiOn
I never travel without my trusty lululemon water bottle, which has been with me since 2019. It’s been forgotten on planes, left in Wollongong, and mailed back across Australia—but it always finds its way home. On flights, I ask attendants to refill it often and try to avoid caffeine. Try. Sometimes nothing beats an ice-cold Coke. In a way, it’s like waiting for Godot too—you sip and sip, but somehow you’re still always thirsty.
Recycled Air
Remember the “humidi-flyer”? I think some singers still use it, but I haven’t seen one in ages. My personal flight toolkit includes:
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A mask
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My water bottle
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A sweater (doubles as a pillow when the plane gets hot)
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Reading material (or Netflix)
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Vaseline for inside and around my nostrils (a nurse friend’s tip that works wonders)
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Lysol wipes for the seat and tray table (because airline “cleaning crews” don’t get enough time to do the job properly).
The whole thing sometimes feels like a Beckett set piece: a sweater as a pillow, a Coke as salvation, an arid cabin as the stage. Once I saw a woman make multiple trips to the bathroom in just her socks on a fully packed plane. There’s always some cringe entertainment when you’re trapped in the absurd waiting-room that is economy class.
This Week’s Breakdown
Before all the packing madness, I had the fun opportunity to assist at a Rock Band camp, teaching 10–15-year-olds how to play together in a band. It was an absolute blast.
Between camp, the gym, packing, and setting up networking meetings in Sydney, life has been busy. I’ve also been watching my teacher’s dog since late July. On our walk this morning, she started chasing a butterfly—probably the most wholesome little moment I’ve experienced in a while. She’s such a sweetheart, and we’ll miss her when she goes back home.
Luna
Pumping Iron
So here I am, still in Toronto, suitcase half-zipped, counting down to a 21-hour flight across the ocean. Singing awaits me on the other side. For now, I’m caught in the in-between—a little like Waiting for Godot. The action is simple: wait, endure, and trust that something meaningful will arrive.
And in my case, thankfully, it’s not Godot. It’s Sydney.
See you next week from the other side of the world. 🌏✨
Have you ever tried oxygen water drops in your wayer bottle? It supposed to help with dehydration and increases your oxygenation. Nancy swears by it. Have a fabulous trip. Toi toi toi
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try it! Thanks for the tip aunty M!
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