As a keen and well traveled teenager, many airports around the world have embraced me with somewhat open arms/doors. From dodgy security officers to the usual middle aged British tourist (along with her jangling bracelets and slapping flip flops) – airports, to me, have always been a point of interest. The people enclosed within the four walls of the dingy departure lounges can be compared to the animals kept within New York Zoo. As I’m sat here in Toronto airport, I look around and see the largest variety of people you can imagine. A young lady accompanied by her, possibly wealthy, 60 year old partner. The middle aged couple with excessive amounts of children whom of which are gladly screaming their head’s off. Monkeys. Am I the only one who thinks there should be seats on the wings of a plane designated for noisy children? Possibly.
People watching in airports makes traveling a little more bearable for me. As I’m typing this I’m slowly peering over my laptop screen watching an argument unfold. One lady has clearly had too much vino to handle and is trying to fight her argument of getting a seat on the plane, not today woman. She walks past me with her nose in the air; swaying as if an unseen force is pulling her from side to side. The smell engrosses me like a giant bubble, strong enough to scorch my nose hairs. I’m guessing the unlimited drinks within the frequent flyer lounge got the best of her. Too bad.
From where I’m sat I can see hundreds of people waiting patiently to pass by the vigorous airport security. The metal detectors. We’ve all been there; laptops removed from your bag, empty your pockets and place any liquids inside those flimsy plastic pockets as if it makes a massive difference. The facial expressions of the innocent travelers is what gets me each and every time. I’ve been there too. Whenever I’m beckoned to walk through the machine, do I look guilty? Do I look suspicious? Do I look the security officer in the eyes? We’ve all done it. “Do I have to take out my piercings?” “Preferably” “All of them?” as a look of horror engulfed the woman’s face. This was a situation that will make me chuckle for a long time. I felt awkward for the poor woman as she was swiped over by a hand held metal detector which bleeped repeatedly around ‘certain’ areas of her body.
I could go on forever with tales from this day and many others I’ve experienced in the past. I’ll leave you with one tip. Bored in an airport? Take a look around and secretly watch other people’s business, it certainly takes a smidge of dread out of traveling.
