Here I am on the eve of my flight to London and though I am excited beyond words to land at Heathrow on Friday morning, my enthusiasm (read: jittery, restless joy) extends backwards (or forward from this moment, as it were) to that second when I cross the airport sliding doors. When all the running around, the packing, the last minute details, the watering of the plants, the making sure for the umpteenth time that the heat is off and that my passport is safely stowed in the front pocket of my carry-on bag… All that stops when I cross the airport sliding doors. I can’t cook, clean, exercise, pay bills or do the million things I feel I ought to be doing when I arrive at the airport, which is comforting for a girl who is constantly on the go. I make the most of this idle time, when I have absolutely nothing else to do but wait for my plane to fly me across the Atlantic strait into my lover’s arms.
Sure there are waiting lines and impatient travelers and heavy baggage and annoying regulations and taking off your damn shoes when you walk through security, but you know what all that means? It means you are heading on an adventure and that is much more exciting than sitting on your chesterfield watching Grey’s Anatomy, if you ask me (though I rather enjoy watching McDreamy do his thing).
And it gets even better when I cross security and head to the nearest airport bar, which, as my friend Roma puts it, is an institution. I order a glass of red wine or a double whiskey (depending on my mood), I pull out my notebook and I observe all the characters around me while I wait to board my flight. And characters there are and life there is. It abounds, truly, when you stop and take the time to pay attention to it.
Remember the opening scene from Love Actually? It starts off with Hugh Grant saying: “Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion’s starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it’s always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaking suspicion love actually is all around.”
Well that is how I see airports, in slow motion, with all its emotions. A melee of people from the world over, gathered in one place to send their loved ones off or welcome them home. The best hugs are witnessed at airports. The hugs that never want to let go, the hugs that say please don’t ever leave again. The hugs that say I love you. The hugs that say Good Luck. Even the old tap on the back is just a little more meaningful at the airport. And truth be told, I even enjoy seeing the weary look on people’s faces (sometimes that look is my own tired reflection staring back at me). It means their journey has been long and they have seen many things.
I suppose it’s like anything in life. When you are so focused on being “there, already” you miss what is right in front of you. The journey begins long before you arrive at your destination, it begins before you even take flight (it’s a cliché for a reason). So next time you’re “stuck” at the airport, settle in, make yourself at home. Do some stretching, get a snack, grab a coffee, catch up on some reading, write a postcard, look at everything happening around you. And if you’re lucky enough, perhaps you will be witness to something like this (could you imagine?). It’s videos like these that make me love airports even more.
What do you love most about airports?
Jeanine Caron is a Canadian blogger who currently resides in Montreal, where she spends her weekends taking photographs and her weekdays saving up for her next travel destination. She is a regular contributor at Gypsy Girl’s Guide.
Awww, this brought a tear to my eye, then a smile at the video, and then another tear…I guess from feeling a bit tender at it being along time since I’ve had that hug of welcome, or even that anticipation of leaving/arriving somewhere. But I know what you mean about the plethora of moments/sights/experiences to be had while waiting at an airport.
i can’t wait to greet you at the airport Jeanine. i’m not sure i can pull together a supporting cast like the one in the video in time, so it might just be me and nic. but there’ll be plenty of hugs, and smiles. and if you are particularly unlucky, i might even burst into song.
i like the potential of airports… they are the gateway to adventurelands.
Oh, airports always make me cry. Everything seems so heightened. I loved reading this! Sending best wishes for an amazing time with your sweetie:)
Love airports, loved this post. Particularly guilty pleasure: Buying gummy candy (hi, Haribo) after security. Other guilty pleasure: Airports with rocking chairs.
OMG that video gave me chills and then brought me to tears. Tears of awe, of wonder, of happiness. Thanks so much for sharing. I do. I really do hope something like that happens to you. I’ve never been a fan of airports. They frighten me. But I just might begin looking at them in a different light thanks to you. Love you.
I absolutely adore this post! I must admit, even though the airport is my 2nd home, I hardly ever take the time to appreciate all of the love around me. Guess what I’m doing in 2 weeks when I’m at the airport???
this post made me want to hop on a jet plane this very second. love love that you are in england pursuing this love story of yours..