This week’s guest: Josephine, Cabin attendant, reader, humanitarian, philosophy afficianado, world traveller

I first met Josephine at the International airport in Frankfurt. We were both in transit on our way to the UK.  I was struck by her personality and confident manner of speech. She was very well spoken and had an incredibly beautiful carriage. I told her that with a little bit of training, she would […]

I first met Josephine at the International airport in Frankfurt. We were both in transit on our way to the UK.  I was struck by her personality and confident manner of speech. She was very well spoken and had an incredibly beautiful carriage. I told her that with a little bit of training, she would easily become a notable broadcaster. We chatted for a while. It was six in the morning and I was cranky from flying all night but I found her conversation soothing and her discourse light as it was engaging. Deep into the conversation, I asked Josephine what she did and she said she was a cabin attendant on  a Nigerian airline. I have always admired efficient members of this profession and in awe of them. I certainly would not fly everyday if given a choice. I found Josephine not only beautiful to listen to but beautiful to look at. She is an inspiration but also tells me a lot of interesting stories of some top government functionaries and politicians who are extremely painful to attend to on board. “They think they own you,” she says, “very badly behaved, but we keep smiling”. No, I am not telling you who they are. I salute Josephine and all those cabin attendants who tolerate our excesses. Here, enjoy her five favourite books.