Bug and my first year together was full of adventure. He was thrilled to have someone to travel with and I had money from my previous career and from the sale of my condo. We were away from home almost once a month for the whole of 2009.
This past New Year, as with each new year that comes along, I ruminate and plan what to expect with the coming months. Finances are tight, so travel will be very limited for 2011. Now that we're on the other side of those many months of traveling, Bug and I have to find new and creative ways to enjoy our time together closer to home.
For the most part Bug had led quite a sedentary life. Being reliant on a wheelchair posed obstacles for many who've come into his life. Bug's helper before me seemed less than enthused about traveling and had a fear of flight, so Bug's limited trips were with his family.
Then I came along and the chance to travel without his parents thrilled Bug. This excitement buoyed us. I was really inspired to give this man opportunities he'd only dreamed of. He loved traveling with his gay boyfriend and I loved bringing new adventures into his life.
Flying with Bug is a surprisingly easy venture.
My personality is such that I like to arrive early to things and traveling with Bug, this is imperative. Everything needs to be done twice. Take off his shoes and coat, take off mine. Unload his carry-on luggage onto the scanner conveyor-belt and then mine. Once through security, then do everything in reverse, twice.
Getting Bug to his seat is a bit of an effort. There's these narrow aisle chairs that are generally used for people with mobility issues. Bug has tried using these, but since he can't hold himself upright and his arms stick out when he's tense, then these wheelie chairs are useless. So how do I get Bug to his seat? I carry him.
I make jokes that I don't go to the gym and this is my workout. I'm glad that we get to be the first to board, so other people can't see the sweat bead on my forehead and my face turning slightly red.
We had one gal at a check-in gate in L.A. tell me that I couldn't carry him on; it was against policy, blah, blah. I tried to get her to tell me how else I'd get him to my seat. She got on a phone and made calls, but then we spoke to the attendants who'd be on the flight. This other woman asked me if I was OK with carrying him. I said I was. She shrugged and said, 'Go for it.'
Bug and I have had some wonderful experiences with flight attendants as well. Since we're always the first to board and the last to leave, we've gotten to chat with some of the folks that take care of the passengers while waiting for the plane to empty out.
On one flight back from Atlanta this gal was really chatty. She leaned over an empty seat and asked if we were brothers; we get that a lot. We said, 'Nope'. Then she kind of slyly asked if we were lovers. Bug chuckled and I answered in the affirmative.
The flight attendant relaxed and started talking to us about the gay friends she had back home. She got us some treats from first class and shoved the plastic bag of goodies into my lap. Bug and I made a new friend who saw our love for each other and wanted to celebrate it with us.
In the writings to come I'll recount some of our travels. Bug and I have had some amazing experiences. I've got two years worth of memories and the work for me will be to figure out which ones to explore here.
Until next time...
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