A Moment At The Airport!
Technology has changed the way we live and most certainly changed the way we travel. Plane tickets can be booked or switched on-line, no more waiting on hold to try and get a “real person” to talk to. Your flight status is sent directly to your mobile phone, so you can rest at the hotel’s indoor pool instead of facing a Canadian snow storm. No need to wait for hours in stuffy airport lounge if you don’t have too!
Sure the argument can, and has been made, that over use or miss use of technology has “made us a little bit lonelier than we were before the age of connectivity.” Yes, if you aren’t carefully with how and when you texted you become a comedians punch line or made fun of in a beer commercial however technology when used correctly can also make you feel connected to those that are far away. I live in Kuwait yet somedays with all the facebook, skype and text messages it can feel like my friends and family from around the world are just in fact around the corner.
The modern wonders of communication have also recently brought me into many “airport moments.” An airport is a special place. It is a tangible symbol of coming and going. A place that often marks both the beginning and end of something. A place where people are looking forward to returning home or excited for the trip of a lifetime. People find themselves at the airport often filled with mixed emotions. Sometimes happy to be leaving a place, sad to be leaving the people or just plain tired.
I’ve had many airport moments that were made better by a cell phone call, a funny or sweet text message. Sometimes the quietness of an airport brings you peace and sometimes the loneliness of an airport makes you long for connection. Recently I Skyped with someone who was about to head off on the trip of a lifetime. His airport moment was filled with joy and anticipation. The waiting moments in airports, when you are transferring planes, stuck between here and there, those are the moments when getting lost in a good book or enjoying the musings of a good friend over instant chatting are most appreciated.
Moments in airports can be magical or painful, pure or pathetic but somehow being able to be connected with technology makes the moments, no matter what they are, seem brighter.
Enjoy your day!
Kuwait City, KUWAIT
Christine Oastler is a freelance travel writer, teacher and artist, currently living in Mahboula, Kuwait. Born and raised in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, Christine obtained her Bachelor of Arts at Trent University and her Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University. Currently traveling around the Middle East she finds herself riding the odd camel and embracing a new culture!
Though I hate the hassle of having to go though the security check points and not bring what I want on the flight with me, I still enjoy the process being at the airports. I usually have my laptop with me to help kill the time when I have to check in two hours before the flight or its too distracting to read a book. I have met people and made new friends at the airports – people who I still have contact with today. I guess the time you spend there is what you make of it.
Carla,
That is an interesting point, about making “new” friends at the airport. Perhaps the moments focused on technology on making contact or strengthening the bond with someone you already know prevents you from making a new friend at the airport. Then again I can be a little shy so the idea of making a new friend at the airport is perhaps not a goal I would have, although new friends somehow get brought into your life when you least expect it.
Happy Adventures!
Christine
Technology is what we make it to be — it can isolate us from or connect us with the rest of the world. I personally love airports, but I do find that waits can be a bit boring, and technology is an alternative to being bored.
That said, there are tons of things that can be done without technology to keep the mind busy though, right?
Herbert,
Thanks for stopping by. I read a few pieces on your blog. Addressing Human Weakness was very deep and insightful. Is it true you are so deep and thoughtful at only the age of 17?
Most of the time I too really like airports. Only recently, I think because of how much I have been flying I have started to become a little bored in them or perhaps I just don’t find particular joy in the Kuwait airport! However that being said perhaps a little more planning will lead me to enjoy my airport experience.
Hope you have grand adventures!
Christine