A Journey around the World

The prelude to my trip, the hub of my vacation, the self-contained city that never sleeps; it is a place where all nationalities are encountered. After entering the building I am immediately transferred into another world; I am bombarded with the overhead pages, the constant screams of children, and the overheard telephone conversations. I lose my sense of privacy since I am thrown into a situation where my behavior is constantly observed. Scanning the wide open lobby, looking for the correct uniformed authority figure with the bright cheery smile, I gain a sense of familiarity and I am able to relax and enjoy my experience in the airport. I hand off my heavy red suitcase to the clerk behind the desk and watch as she attaches the long white luggage ticket to the handle before putting the bag on the never ending conveyer belt along with the rest of the baggage. While the bags begin their journey into the vast unknown, I cannot help but feel that my voyage has just begun as well. The burden of forgetfulness and preparation that followed me into the busy airport disappears as the bags vanish behind the hanging black strips of rubber that separates the travelers from their belongings.

I walk away from the baggage clerk with a sense of relief only to find myself herded into another long, winding, and torturous queue. Surrounded by multinational people, I begin to notice the cultural diversities we have. I overhear accents and foreign languages, I see westernized and Middle Eastern clothing, I feel overcrowded and vulnerable as we are ushered around by the security guards in the military style uniform.

“Shoes off. Remove all liquids. Walk forward.”

Everyone is forced to conform and be subject to search. We place our hand luggage on the conveyor belt and watch while workers sit in front of two screens and scrutinize our most personal belongings. When the belt backs up and suddenly halts, when the workers point at the screen and look over at you, when the belt start up slowly but your bag is snatched by one of the two workers you know that all your contents are about to be revealed to the public. He calls me over and asks what is in my bag, after responding that it is a baseball and not some sort of bomb, my bag is one again put through the six foot long x-ray machine only to be searched once again. After removing four pairs of socks, three jerseys, shin guards, black electrical tape, two magazines, a camera, an iPod, chargers, and a sweatshirt, my black and gold, beat up and broken cleats are finally unearthed from my bottomless soccer bag and searched for the metal they contain in the soles. While the search is taking place, an even longer queue develops behind me and I cannot help but notice the impatience building on faces of the weary travelers behind me. A slight flush starts to form on my already pink sunburned cheeks while I hurriedly stuff my soccer gear back into my bag. After I am finally through the screening process, I was given the okay to travel and enjoy the wonders the airport has to offer.

The terminal is an exciting place: I experience different cultures and meet people from around the world. Walking down the corridor nonchalantly, dressed in camouflage is a US soldier who is greeted by a standing ovation from many of the travelers. He is very grateful and returns the applause with a shy half wave but desperate to reunite to his loved ones. The terminal- filled with soccer and hockey teams, children and parents, businessmen and travelers- was controlled chaos. Filled with a numerous amount of stores, voyagers can easily find a way to waste time while awaiting their flight. The shops were aligned like houses on a block inviting in customers. Along with shops, there is also a variety of cuisines that appeal to all the travelers. The aromas of the restaurants fill my senses and suddenly my stomach starts to rumble; the smells start to tempt the weary tourists while they wait patiently for their flight. Pizza, burgers, and sandwiches are the most commonly ordered food among travelers for the convenience. After eating, there is ten minutes left until I must join another line in order to board the plane, so I take a seat on one of the open spots on the long, cramped rows of black chairs next to the gate. Cellphones, iPods, laptops- as I look around I can see all these electronic devices in use. There is little conversation among the passengers but the sounds of the typing on a keyboard, the soft beat drifting from someone’s headphones, and the ringing of phones can be heard while everyone rapidly communicates with their friends or loved ones before the time comes to board the plane and switch of all electronic devices.

The monotonous voice on the crackling overhead informs us that our flight is starting to board families with small children, people with disabilities, and first class. The children were anxiously awaiting their time to board and start to jump up and down while their parents hand over the paper tickets and pause in order to receive the small stub of the ticket that is ripped off. Business and first class line up in a special queue waiting on a small red carpet designed with the airline logo. At last my time has come to board the plane and I take one last look around me; the crowd around the gate has started to dwindle but we will soon be replaced by the next flight. I head down the tunnel to board the plane that will bring me to the next airport where the scene will have many similarities but a different cast of characters.
-Eileen