Here’s a post from the past, my musings on airports. I love them!
Here I am, sitting in the Minneapolis airport by myself sipping coffee.
And you know what?
I love it.
I love all airports.
Please tell me someone else out there has this strange love affair?!
It’s not that they are a glorious sampling of the world’s best cuisine.
Or that everyone is so friendly you can’t help but smile.
Or that they smell like flowers.
Nor is it the lovely security that is always easy, stress-free, fast, and never the place where you are praying it isn’t your feet you’re smelling.
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Really, it’s the possiblity that makes me love airports.
I love that here is the open door to anywhere.
I could hop on a plane and jet off to Paris and be sipping this cafe-au-lait while people watching, with the Eiffel Tower out of the corner of my eye.
I could fly over to Belize for some reefs and ruins.
I could fly to Alaska to kayak among the glaciers and whales and polar bears.
I could fly to China to sleep on the Great Wall.
Airports are symbols of the most exciting times of my life: the first time I flew, when I went to Switzerland at 15 and officially got hooked on traveling.
The first time I flew alone, to the lake in California.
The first time I visited a boy’s family, with E in Seattle.
The time I flew alone, to Peru, completely terrified of my solo adventure, clutching my English-Spanish dictionary.
The time my cousin and I flew to Southeast Asia, with months of unplanned traveling and volunteering stretching seemingly endlessly ahead of us.
The time I flew to China, with a gorgeous layover in Vancouver, an entire summer of humanitarian work ahead of me.
The time I flew from China to Brussels to meet up with E after a long summer apart, with several glorious European weeks ahead of us (one of the longest flights I remember due to pure anticipation!)
And, on our way home from Europe, when we had one last layover in Iceland, which would quickly become one of my favorite destinations I’ve ever been.
Despite the fact that I always get nervous going through security, I always end up eating junk food and getting sick, I love airports.
They represent the adventure of life, my dreams of seeing the world, and the forming of my independence. They have forced me out of my shell, warned me to keep my passport close at all times (and that leaving it in the bathroom of a Peruvian airport will only lead to bad things), helped me start seeing the great world, and showed me that where I come from deserves some love, too.
Being in an airport reminds me that life is the great world and that I’m just getting started.
Even if right now I’m just flying from Minneapolis to Denver.
I wish I could be in an airport right now!! Do you love airports, too?
Linking up with Travel Tuesday.
I’ve heard that layovers in Iceland are amazing opportunities with a lot of airlines and Iceland is on the top of my next adventures list. Have you blogged about it? I’d love to read about your layover!
It was amazing! I’d been abroad for awhile and I was getting pretty tired but Iceland was totally reinvigorating! I plan to stop whenever I next make it to Europe to see more of that place :). I’ve heard that you can add a few days to your layover at no cost, as well! I haven’t blogged about it yet, but I plan to soon so I’ll keep you posted. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!!!!!
I agree that airports are great because of the endless possibilities (if only I had the money!) but it is much more stressful than taking a train! … and I can’t believe you left your passport in a Peruvian airport!
True, airports are much more annoying that hopping on a train or bus. I tend to love train stations too!! And I know, I can’t believe I did that either–the most stressful event of my life, probably!
I love them too!
They’re the best 🙂
I love airports too – but only when I am dropping someone off or meeting them. I used to do that a lot for my mother. She loved travelling. When I am flying myself I hate them – far too much stress!
Aw that’s nice you were able to pick up/drop off your mother. I admit that airports aren’t without their stress, that’s for sure!!
I love them, too, even though they stress me out sometimes! This fall we’ll be taking an international flight with my (will be then) eight month daughter. The thought alone is making me break out in a nervous sweat….BUT the airport is the gateway to our adventures and wonderful memories!
Yes they can definitely be so stressful. That’s so awesome and brave of you to take your baby on an international flight :). I will be anxious to see how that goes for you!!! 🙂
I totally relate to this post! Airports really have transformed travel, especially for women, I would say (less dangerous than riding a horse around by ourselves, for example). Really cool post, and thanks for reminding us that airports present us with the possibility of anywhere!
So true! What a great point that I didn’t really think of–the increased safety for women! Things have come a long way from then, haven’t they? (Although it could be argued they still have a long way to go…but still!)
Aw what a lovely love letter to airports! I love airports because they often bookmark chapters for so many people and moments, from saying goodbye to being reunited, to starting a new adventures, or going off on a break, etc. I love the significance of them!
Yes!! Like that scene in the movie Love Actually 🙂 The represent such big moments in my life, too.
I am traditionally not a huge fan of airports, because I’m coeliac and there’s usually nothing for me to eat there. As a food oriented person, spending a long time in a place where you can’t eat is frustrating! However, this makes me see things a different way. Yes, the possibilities are endless and once you’ve done the stress of check in/security, then it can be really quite a pleasant experience. Especially in some of the really great airports like Singapore or Seoul, where you can explore and there’s cool stuff to do. In Singapore there’s a butterfly garden!
That’s so cool! I like the trend that airports are getting more traveler-friendly. I admit that I don’t have any serious food allergies so I’ve never seen it from your perspective before. Thanks for sharing that with me! I don’t think I would enjoy airports if I couldn’t eat much. I hope things are changing in that area for you!
I wouldn’t say that I necessarily “love” airports … but I also don’t hate them, which a lot of people do. Back when I was living in Spain, I was in airports almost 4 times a month, which got a little old after a while, but I have to admit, now I’m missing them. Although the whole process can be a pain, there’s nothing like getting through security and waiting with excitement for your next adventure! Like you said .. endless possibilities!! 😀
Yes! They’re not the easiest places in the world to be, and not without their stress, but nothing beats the excitement of flying to a whole new country. I’ll admit though, I love the train here in Europe–partly because the train stations are generally so much easier to get to, and don’t require as much security. Here in Budapest, it takes a good hour to get to the airport–THEN we have to do security, THEN actually get on the plane!