Airports

Airports.  If I ever need a dose of the ridiculous, I go to the airport.  Any airport in the world provides spectacular free entertainment.  Traveling is one of my favorite extra-curricular activities.  Yes, the dreaming about and the planning to go and exploring when I get there is nice, but the people watching is the true trip of any trip.  Ironically, people seem to leave their manners, values and common sense at the security checkpoint.


Good morning to the lady who is eating fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cole slaw and a biscuit for breakfast.  Sitting next to her is her husband licking a vanilla ice cream cone with sprinkles.  Other folks are drinking beer and still others nibbling on pepperoni pizza.  It's 9:06am.


Howdy to the man who is giving himself a pedicure while waiting for his flight to board.  No proper tools, just his fingernails and the cap of a ballpoint pen.


Hello to the mother of four attempting to feed her baby, corral the toddler, discipline the other toddler, color with the five year old while posting pictures of this lovely scene on Facebook. Mother to mother - whoever you are going to visit - should be visiting you.


Hey to the twenty-something traveler.  You realize the airport is not a youth hostel, right?  Roll up your sleeping bag, fold your clothes and put them back in your pack.  The airport is not your destination.


To the business man with his iPad and no luggage - yes, we are impressed.  To the lady walking around in her bare feet - no shirt, no shoes, no service!  To the international couple who are impeccably dressed strolling through the airport oozing intrigue - I'm sorry.


As I sit in judgment of my fellow travelers, I wonder what character I play in their stories.  I am sitting on the grimy airport floor, eating a hamburger with onions and mustard dripping from the bun looking forward to noshing on the cheese/caramel popcorn mix I am taking home to the kids (wink. wink).  Oh and it's 9:06am.