It is now 11.00pm.
My eyes
struggle to stay open even though my mind is still juggling hundreds of ideas
while, at the same time, I worry about my visa and what will happen in the next
24 hours. I will try not to be too
particular in regards to my observations, but being in an airport for a longer
period of time is, believe it or not, quite philosophical. My time here has
mostly been about “people watching”.
From the moment one arrives
at an airport there is a sense of excitement. Whether you’re on your way to a
new destination, or to pick up friends or family, the heart starts racing just
as you pull into the parking lot. The smell of fuel and exhaust from the
airplanes and cars, and the runways overpower the senses with images of exotic
escapes and a sense of freedom that can only come from being at an airport. I
can feel the rumbling of the jet engines at takeoff and the vibration from the
planes passing over the airport while being outside. I watch people as they
listen to their iPods, smartphones, type on their computers or play video
games.
Behind me is an older couple talking about the weather in Florida and
the possibility of rain. I can faintly recognize the smell of perfume and
cologne as people pass by; the smells clash with the aromas generated by KFC, Starbucks,
and Pizza Hut. In the main terminal I can hear the sound of luggage wheels on
marble mixed with the always formal, ever pleasant, voice from the loudspeaker reminding
us to stay with our luggage at all times, or announcing that flight 1234 is now
ready for boarding.
Having traveled extensively in the past I can’t say that
I’ve really taken notice or interest in everyone else around me. Nor have I
really thought of where everyone’s journey is taking them. This time I’m not
visiting the airport for traveling purposes; but to stay for a longer period of
time. Watching everyone go by and hearing bits of conversation from those
passing me on their way to the departure gate, I can’t help but wonder where
everyone is going. Is the family of two adults and three children taking a
family vacation? What about the elderly couple I heard talking about their
anniversary? Are they celebrating by escaping to someplace exotic? Perhaps,
they’ve just ended their trip and are on the way home. While as exciting as
some trips to the airport are, it’s very obvious that this is not a place one
would consider calm and carefree; in fact, quite the opposite.
As I sat and observed, I
immediately took note of the frazzled mother attempting to calm down her
children, the complacent business man roving through security control as if he
were playing a computer game, and the nail-biting woman who I would imagine
hasn't flown in fifteen years. These waiting people and I have only a few
things in common that I know: we are all in transit. We will all share a period
of time at this airport before we fly to faraway lands. Why are they here?
Where are they going? They all have their own stories, lives, intentions,
problems, and dreams. I realize that the world is overwhelmingly big;
exponentially larger than the limited view of my daily routine. As I have flown
over wide expanses of homes, cars and streets, I think of the thousands living
below me that did not even realize I existed 30,000 feet above their heads. The
world is so much bigger than we think. It is a gentle and humble reminder that
I hope others perceive.
Back to my airport adventure.
Overnight I managed to rest for almost 7 hours. Surely I woke up from time to
time to check that my luggage was still with me, but I slept unexpectedly well on
those hard wooden seats. At 7.00am, the highlight of the day, breakfast!
Nothing extraordinary, but the $6 Starbucks cappuccino (!!) and a warm ham & cheese
croissant made my morning. Quick catch up with friends and family letting them
know I was safe & sound before taking a walk around the terminal to stretch
my legs.
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