leaving on a jet plane

so i do a lot of traveling. it's one of my favorite things to do. experience new cultures, new countries and ways of life, where the world moves at a snail's pace and is probably happier and healthier for it. well, since i do a lot of traveling both within the US and outside of it, i've made some observations. and the one i find most interesting by far is the airplane environment. so picture your last flight. plane takes off, there's some sleep, maybe a movie, slim to no chance of food but it does happen, a couple of minutes of turbulence and then you land. story over right? you grab your things and impatiently wait to deplane. well that all depends on where you are flying to. After multiple flights to Puerto Rico and a flight to Haiti (all filled with natives) i've first hand experienced energy charged flights which upon landing applause and cheers abound. so i've pondered the catalyst behind the applause.

a. cheers for the pilot, showing gratitude for a job well done
b. general gratitude for having arrived safely
c. a combo of the above

I can't think of any other reasons here. But I tell you this - if it's any of the above it tells me something about the differences in our cultures. I don't clap when I touch down in any US state, or country outside the states for that matter. Am i taking things for granted? Am i desensitized? Or do we all just exhibit our thankfulness in different ways? I say a quick prayer and give my love to everyone (just in case) before each take off and a thanks when i land. all inside, to myself. Maybe i lack the vibrancy of other cultures (and yes i am puerto rican but my native friends have pointed out i'm still a gringa, i do recognize the differences in our ways of being). not sure if there is one easy answer here. but i tell you this. i absolutely LOVE those plane rides that end in jovial celebration. i get a warm fuzzy feeling inside which feels so good!