I’m writing this while sitting at the airport, so my thoughts are kind of all over the place as I glance around.
Airports are one of my favorite places to people watch, mainly because of the different emotions you see amongst people. You have some people going on vacation solo, which I recommend. Some are going with their family, some are business oriented so they’re talking loud as fuck on the phone so everybody can know they’re closing a deal. Sprinkle in the rest of the different types of travelers, and you have a really good mix of people.
It isn’t centered around one part of the world, either. There are the same types of people at airports all over the world. They may be speaking a different language, but you’ll generally find the same types of people everywhere.
The real heroes of the airport are the ones who look like they’ve lost their will to live, but they have a bunch of kids they’re trying to watch and make sure don’t leave their sight.
The worst type of people are the ones who clap when the plane lands and the ones who stand up the second the seatbelt light turns off. Which I’ve noticed is an American thing.
And I can’t even fully hate on the clapping when the plane lands. I remember when I was flying from Iceland to Sweden. I had a layover in Norway for a little bit, and there was a pretty bad winter storm. At least it was bad for me because I’m from the southern part of the United States.
Anyways, the ride was bumpy. A shit ton of turbulence. As we got close, the captain told us it was going to be a rough landing as well, so I immediately thought, “We’re going to slide off the tarmac and die,” because I’m dramatic like that.
We ended up having probably the roughest landing of my life, and I’ve been on anywhere from 125 to 150 flights in my life, so not a lot, but not a little bit. The inner American came out of me, and I started the clap that flight. Luckily, a lot of people joined in, so I didn’t feel like an idiot, but I was really happy to be alive and the captain deserved it.
Airports also have a different set of rules. It’s like one of the most lawful and lawless places you can go. You’re checked heavily at the door. You can’t leave your bag anywhere. You can’t say certain words. You can’t argue with anyone because then you can’t fly. But meanwhile, you can get drunk at 9:30 a.m. at a Chili’s (shout out to the Chili’s in Mexico City).
Airports really make the playing field the same. CEOs, college students, retirees, families, backpackers, and people who have no idea what they’re doing are all just trying to make their flight. Everyone has a different story, and they’re all going somewhere.
Every time I walk by the departure boards, I like to take a quick glance. I’ve been traveling a lot lately for work, and if you’ve read my first post, you know that my current job isn’t what I’m wanting to do long term.
As I look at all the different departures, I often think, “I could buy a ticket, get on that plane, and completely change the path of my life.” Like I’m some peasant who has enough money to buy a one way ticket and start a new life.
I think that’s the great thing about free will. Knowing you could do something like that if you really wanted to.
One of these days, I think I’ll end up doing it when all the stars align and the “fuck this job” attitude is in line with my bank account.
My intrusive thoughts are to walk up to someone and ask if I can tag along with their life for a few days just to see what it’s like. Especially if they’re from a country with really good food, because I know their food is going to be better than any food I’m going to eat on that trip.
-J