TOO FAT FOR NEW YORK

I watched the season finale of Ruby over the weekend.  In this final episode Ruby goes to New York City to be a guest star on the Rosie O'Donnell radio show.  During her visit she gets a taste of what life in the big city is like for a fat girl.  Making her way through the crowded streets, people are literally bouncing off her hips as she attempts to squeeze her large frame down the sidewalk.  Ruby stops to take a seat only to feel the stares of the crowd as she attempts to put band-aids on her blistered feet.  


Tired from the strain of walking with an extra two-hundred pounds, Ruby decides to take the subway but is reminded once again of her limitations. Ecstatic that she can squeeze through the turnstile, she quickly meets with disappointment when unable to fit the seats in the waiting area.  Within seconds of boarding the train, a woman quickly changes seats to escape sharing space with her.  Ruby tries her best to hide her embarrassment but realizes that even with her sunny disposition and southern charm, New Yorkers are just not willing to look past her weight.  Her last attempt at transportation is a rickshaw.  This time she meets with success as the driver reassures her that his strong legs will enable him to peddle her and a friend to their destination.

Ruby returns to Savannah with an understanding of how prohibitive her size is when it comes to travel.  Despite having lost 366 pounds, her 350+ pound frame is still too much for an airplane seat, a subway ride, or even just a stroll down the streets of New York City.  Being an avid traveler, I can relate to the obstacles and challenges Ruby faces when going out of town.  Despite not being as big, I still feel nervous every time I board a plane.  Will I fit?  Will the seat belt work?  Am I encroaching on my neighbor's space?  


When I was in Europe I can remember being distinctly identified as an American based on my too large size and too casual attire.  When it came time to see the streets via a Segway, I opted to travel on foot due to the weight restrictions.  I was nervous stepping into a gondola in Venice and horrified at the thought of burdening the donkey with my weight on a climb up the cliffs of Santorini.  


Until you've been severely overweight you have no idea just how many everyday things become a challenge for those of a bigger size.  Everything from movie theater seats, airplane seats, to the booth at a chain restaurant is designed with the average frame in mind and can be an emotional terror for those who are imperfect.  Funny how we've managed to accommodate wheel chairs while overlooking the most prevalent population, the overweight.  I don't enjoy contributing to a negative statistic which is why I am making this very necessary change in my life.  Everything in life, especially travel, becomes a more pleasant experience when you can focus on the enjoyment of the experience without any limitations.  I look forward to freeing myself of these physical and mental barriers in time for my next vacation.


"There are only two emotions in a plane: boredom and terror." -Orson Welles