One of my favorite things about flying is that you get to explore and roam through airports. Yes, I hate the crowds and people who clearly don’t realize that there are others in the airport, but overall the experience of getting off a plane into a new world can be fascinating. The lights and commotion are welcoming you as you exit the jetbridge, enticing you to immerse yourself in it all. Isn’t that why we travel, to seek new opportunties and step outside our boundaries?
I compare the feeling of learning a new airport to that of exploring a new city. You roam the halls, taking in all the sights and sounds. You can get as lost as you want, or you can follow the signs and maps to your destination. There are new restaurants and shops (albeit expensive…usually) to check out along the way, whichever path you take. There might be a tram or bus you have to take to get around. There are plenty of spots along the way to take selfies, if you choose to make your friends envious of your travels. There are even the elusive airline clubs that you need to pay to get into (or get access for free with several credit cards). Airports have something for everyone! Even random artwork, like these hand carvings of pencils at the Seattle Airport:
To add to the things you expect to find at an airport, you might even be in for an unexpected adventure. An obvious one is that the signage may be in another language, or they might be poorly translated, adding to the challenge of getting around (luckily most airports use English, so I haven’t had too many difficulties). Even if you can’t read them, you can get by. You may have to mime your way for help since people don’t speak your language, and you might make a new friend doing so. Regardless, you will most likely find your way and have a funny story to tell in the end.
I often like think of the airports as a mini trip within your trip. Sure you may be tired and cranky, but fighting through all of that is worthwhile if you make the best of your surroundings and time. All of your cares and worries are irrelevant at the airport since there isn’t much you can do about them (outside of making your connection, of course). Furthermore, I try to disconnect myself from the outside world here, meaning I stay off of social media and try to be present in the moment (except for the one post where I try to make my friends jealous – the trip never happened unless it’s on Facebook, right?!). Once I do this, I feel happier and more connected with my surroundings. Sure, some airports are nicer than others, but how many you say no to hanging out in this area:
So I encourage you, the next time you find yourself in a new airport, let yourself be free. Take the time to truly enjoy what the new location has to offer. I’m sure that once you slow down to take it all in you will end up having a more fun and pleasant experience.
