Airport People

I like staring at people’s faces. I do it all the time, discreetly of course. I like looking at them, trying to guess their story, if there is a secret hiding deep in their head . . . one of their grimaces will reveal it to me!

I especially like to do it in airports. Lots of people, different tribes, a hundred destinations. You see people you will never meet again. I like staring at them and trying to guess where they came from, why they're travelling and where they're going. It’s fascinating to create stories based on their appearance, or on a few words overheard while they talk on the phone. 

Well, in the airports, there are always those who talk "big" on their cells.

“I am in the airport. I'm travelling. Let’s talk again. I’ll call you.” Then, they make another call. “Hey, what’s up? I am in the airport; I'm travelling in a little while.” They put on their hands free and talk big to everyone they know! Of course, they speak louder than normal so every one around can hear. Their outfit fits with their character and behavior. Expensive suit, proper for travelling, and black briefcase.

Now, here comes a lady that adores being watched, loves being the centre of attention wherever she goes. Perfect make up, although a little exaggerated, big sunglasses, expensive perfume and, of course, attitude.

Then there's the perfect family. Mother, father, and two little monsters running around, upsetting everyone. They run, they yell, they hit, they struggle. Dad is drinking coffee and mom's doing a crossword. Neither seems annoyed by the yelling brats. The phone rings, dad starts going elsewhere to speak, mom is looking at him with a questioning look and then she returns to her crossword. Little monsters are still yelling . . .

Oh yes, the elderly couple. They retired long ago, they're over 80 and they travel a lot, buying souvenirs for their grandchildren. How can they still go to faraway countries and handle all the travel problems? They obviously don’t care; they're still so much in love!

Oops! Here is a young couple! They hug, they kiss and they act like they are the only people on the planet. Life is a long continuous vacation!

There is always some writer, looking around then scribbling in a notebook. He wears glasses and a long coat. He pays no attention to his cell phone . . .

In the airport you'll probably meet some band or group, on their way to a concert. Swollen eyes from lack of sleep. Casual outfits. Holding their musical instruments. Talking and laughing with each other. They are used to being watched and don't feel awkward. They neither like it nor dislike it, they just tolerate it.

You can see many different people in airports, from different countries, different races, different colors, and different religions. Who are they, really? I look at them and I know that I'll never think of them again for the rest of my life.

There is, though, one type of person that I particularly like to watch, and I always “photograph” in my memory: The real traveller. Those with just a small suitcase or a backpack, with a big camera . . . sunburned faces under a cowboy hat and a pack of Chesterfields in the jeans pocket. They sit in the airports and do nothing. They just sit and think. They don’t chat with the people in the next chair; they don’t want to be bothered. I love them. I like their look.  You can just see in their eyes the countries they have visited and the places they have seen. Those are real travellers.

Like a wise man once said: The real traveller is not the one who doesn’t know where he is going, but the one who has forgotten from where he started in the first place!