When we were children there were Middle Eastern fantasy movies and often there would be a magical, flying carpet. Things like "One Thousand and One Nights." Perhaps it was "Aladdin and His Magic Lamp (1952) that we enjoyed along with The Magic Carpet (1959). These would be Saturday afternoon activities.
One might think there would be magic flying carpets by now. But no, these remain metaphoric. On the other hand, we do get to fly high about landscapes and explore distant cultures. Flying in an airplane in our current times, seems the opposite of spiritual ascent and transcendence. When we first went into an airplane in the early 1960s, it was magical then. And the sense of wonder was very present.
And the Magic Carpet? Last night on PBS was one of those nostalgic music concert shows and there was Steppenwolf's John Kay singing Magic Carpet Ride. The song had been released in 1968, so I'd say that's nostalgic.
John Kay was quoted many years later. The question of whether it was about an acid trip. He "alleged the lyrics went beyond referencing the quality of the new stereo and were also a reference to his relationship with his wife Jutta and envisioning that he had made a wish with Aladdin's lamp."
Here's the magic carpet that I was thinking of. This was on display at the Aga Khan Museum when it opened. It is made of metal/nails not fabric.
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