A knotty narrative of a frequent flyer
Have you ever dressed up for a date, bought a nice perfume, the finest leather shoes, matching accessories, a box full of chocolates and scented flowers… Most people do, what’s the big deal?
Only that some people do all of it and more, only to go on a date with the many airports that take them in, let them fly high, and gently put them out on their way!
Well, puns aside – a large percentage of flyers today have begun to find comfort in their almost second loves, the airports. Thanks to their modern, tech savvy, and belly-friendly makeover, airports look hotter than most humans I know.
Whether it’s for a job, own business, personal commitments, or simply put, the passion to travel across mapped lines.
Like most love stories, this too is a love-hate relationship! No kidding, it is. Somedays are more mush than others; and then there are those awesomely annoying moments when you wish for the flight tyre to get punctured or something (if only, phew).
Surely, in some worlds, aircraft tyres get punctured and all passengers have no other option but to just hang out in the air, watching other planes glide by, and wave to fellow travelers, a bye-bye! Who said wishes don’t have wings.
To make my love affair with the airport more clear, let me share about one of those nights when the date went so well that it felt unrealistic and I wondered what if we never ever meet again.
It was late December last year, and as usual, I was in the air, moving around for meetings and work. A little personal detour took me from my usual Delhi airport to Bangalore airport. 5-long hours of airport time and the fidgeter in me got curious. To lounge or not to lounge? Or perhaps, just stay up, alert, and roam, roam, roam.
The thing about airports in December is that there is a crowd, and chaos yet a certain calm in knowing that it’s holiday travel already. Flyers are chirpy, well-dressed, and high on winter breeze, unlike the summer force.
Craving for some calm right after landing, I headed to a quaint store known as Relay. What better way to be stationary than an exciting range of stationery and some books. Found myself a seat and a book, and just like that it was an hour before I decided to move to my next pitstop. Reading can be fulfilling yet it doesn’t fill the belly.
Barley & Grapes, how lovely the sound of it! There is something about airport food, it spells exotic somehow. Minus the real fact that you pay so much more for it! But why not. It’s an experiential journey walking through airport booths, staring at strangers, the faraway sounds of flight announcements — the thought of someone leaving, someone arriving! One panini sandwich and an open omlette later, I was convinced that nothing satiates more than quietude and well-beaten fluffy eggs.
With a sparkle in my mind and my eyes — oh yes, Swarovski happened too. Picked me a pair of cuff links, how romantic, you say? I agree. After all, it isn’t December synonymous with shine and sparkle all the way from Christmas to the final countdown.
The much-loved sensory play left no room for further tactics and I had no option but to head for a siesta before the connecting flight. Lounge and bed, it was, ultimately!
Hey, did I mention I bumped into someone too? Yes, it was something at first sight. But then, most airport crushes end in a knotty way. Well, that’s the beauty of it.
I wonder how convenient my date would have been though if it wasn’t backed by the solid, minus stroll-your-bags affair and this really cool service by CarterX. They made sure all my carry-along were in a smooth transition while I did what I do best. Romancing the airport!