SHE is so scared of flying that, at 56, she has never been on a plane.
Even her honeymoon was in Singapore.
But come 5 Aug, Madam Doris Kwek will be putting aside her fears to go on an all-expenses paid trip to the Beijing Olympics.
She is one of five McDonald's employees from Singapore chosen to serve at the fast-food chain's four outlets at the Olympic village.
More than 1,400 McDonald's employees from around the world will be doing the same.
Madam Kwek said that for years, her husband and 29-year-old daughter have asked her to join them on family holidays.
She said: 'But I dare not. I'm scared of aeroplanes.
'But this one, I have to go, because I'm representing Singapore.'
The five representatives will fly Singapore Airlines and stay in a five-star hotel during the 10-day trip, which includes sight-seeing tours to destinations like the Great Wall of China.
At 56, Madam Kwek is the oldest of the five.
She has worked for McDonald's since 1982 and is now a crew leader at the Ang Mo Kio Park branch.
The five were chosen after a series of internal competitions, which included tests on customer service and cooking french fries.
Madam Kwek said that she was surprised and happy when she was selected, and so was her family.
They have given her tips on flying, like not to be frightened by the noise during take-off.
'But they didn't say much. The more they say, the more I'm frightened,' she said with a laugh.
Her husband, Mr Tay Hock Kee, said she has his full support.
The 64-year-old retiree said: 'It was a surprise to me. I didn't expect her to go because she really has a phobia. I hope that one of these days, we can go for a short trip together.'
Madam Kwek has been out of Singapore only twice, visiting Kuala Lumpur both times. The first trip was 30 years ago and the second was about three years ago.
'That's why my passport is so clean,' she said.
She said she is looking forward to seeing the local people and experiencing their culture, and making friends with the McDonald's employees from other countries.
This article was first published in The New Paper on July 26, 2008.
