I’ve been thinking a lot about airports and getting more excited about upcoming trips this past week. While catching up with my shows, I found that the characters in many of them coincidentally traveled.
On Thursday Mike and I watched an old Mad Men to gear up for the new season. It was the episode where Don has to go to Rome and Betty spontaneously decides to join him. There was barely a semblance of real Rome in that episode, but it still revived the travel bug in me. The chaos of people coming and going as they arrived reminded me of the rush I get when in transit. And actually seeing Betty, the restless housewife that she is, reveal a very practical skill that goes wasted in the throes of suburbia - speaking Italian – made me want to pop in my Spanish CDs and get ready for Spain.
We spent part of our Friday night catching up on Modern Family. Last week’s entire episode was dedicated to LAX. It reminded me of how “waiting” doesn’t have to be a negative thing, it can be transformed into an opportunity to do more with your time, like meet new people. While that didn’t work out so well for Haley, I have found that some of the best people watching at airports can end up turning into a great conversation. And while we’re on the topic of people watching – I think you really can’t beat it in an airport. In addition to the intricacies of their daily lives, people are talking about their trips, what they’ll see, what they’ve seen, why they traveled.
When we think of travel, it’s often about the destination, and getting there is just a means to that end. I don’t travel enough to see it that way. Before arriving at the airport, I don’t really think about the anticipated problems, of which there can be many. I don’t dread security lines, at least not until I am just about to go through them. I don’t think about how expensive the food is and the fact that no matter how many snacks you bring, buying it is sometimes unavoidable. I think about the rush, the excitement of being surrounded by travelers like me, and the inconveniences that almost build character because we are all willing to go through them to see new things.
Love this post! You know I used to agree with what you said 100%. I loved everything about the airport, now it seems like every time I get on a plane I’m holding my breath in anticipation of whether or not my flight will be delayed or canceled. But, as I go to the airport this Thursday I’m going to repeat your words in my head and I will try to enjoy the experience once again! How many days now until the wedding???
I’ve got to say, I’ve done a lot of travelling and I’ve never enjoyed the airport part. I’m not patient enough – I don’t like the waiting. I was entranced by Dubai Intl – the incredible diversity of people, clothing – men dressed like goatherders from the Old Testament – women in full burqas… and then the haunting sound of the muezzin calling to prayer! A magical place, and a destination in its own right.
But after 10 hours MY destination is all I’m thinking about!
Great post! I love traveling and I find airports to be one of my favorite places. It seems weird, I know, but there is something about airports that I love. Everyone there has a purpose, a place, and a reason for being there, it just seems very efficient to me (in the sense that no one is aimlessly wandering around with no purpose in life). Maybe I’m odd but knowing that everyone has a purpose and a reason and a direction that they are heading puts me at ease.
I think I’m one of the few people who doesn’t mind a layover at the airport. Sure, it can be a bit annoying when you want to get somewhere, but at the end of the day, you’re stuck at a bar with the best people watching in the world, and often a partner in crime to share it with. Is that really the end of the world?
you know I was just having a similar conversation with one of my friends about this! I’m one of the few who really enjoys the airport experience (including everything you mentioned but I can’t do layovers) I love the possibility of an airport.