To fly is the opposite of traveling: you cross a gap in space, you vanish into the void, you accept not being in a place for a duration that is itself a kind of void in time; then you reappear, in a place and in a moment with no relation to the where and when in which you vanished.
by Italo Calvino
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The quote from Italo Calvino's "If on a Winter's Night a Traveler" highlights the unique experience of flying compared to traditional travel. It suggests that flying is not merely a means of moving from one location to another; rather, it involves disappearing from one space and time, only to reemerge in another context that feels disconnected from the original. This sense of vanishing creates a void, highlighting the surreal nature of air travel.

This perspective emphasizes the disorientation that can accompany flying, as passengers momentarily disengage from their surroundings and routines. The experience blurs the boundaries of place and time, making the act of flying a transformative journey. It invites readers to reflect on how this form of travel alters their perception of distance and temporality, creating an almost dreamlike separation from the world they leave behind.

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February 19, 2025

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