I flew from Athens to Amsterdam.

I know I’m supposed to hate flying, being an environmentalist and all. I find the industry abhorrent, and the pollution produced untenable. But the actual act of flying… it’s not “unnatural.” It’s breathtaking. It’s one of the most amazing things that humans can do. To be above the clouds, basked in unfiltered sunlight? To look down and see the whole breathtaking majesty that is the earth? These are good things. I wish that air travel hadn’t become so mundane and detached. I remember, years ago, the first time I’d flown as an adult, I was on an airplane at dawn, flying into florida, and the morning light filtering in through the thick windows was about the most fantastic thing I’d ever experienced. And then a voice came on advising us to all close our windows so people could see the movie better.

Anyhow, a few more photos of cloudscapes over europe, below the break: