Vasco Da Gama

For our return flight to Portugal, we got to fly another one of TAP’s new A330-900 aircraft, one appropriately named “Vasco Da Gama”. This trip has surely been one of great explorations and stark contrasts as we have traversed the conflicted urban fabric of Rio.

Falling asleep off the Brazilian coast, we woke up over the Canaries, completely oblivious to the physical realities of sailing these vast distances. It is truly a privilege to be able to travel the world as we do. Yet, instead of exhibiting narcissist guilt (“flygskam”), it again seems far more productive to work towards a future where everyone has the same freedom to roam the world.

In the Uber back to the airport, Anna and I were both struck by how kind and familiar the southern end of Copacabana now felt. As many times before, I have felt encouraged by our common humanity and hopeful that, for all the idiocy of war, the better angels of our nature will ultimately prevail.