Airport — House of Mixed Feelings

A place that has a thousand stories to tell

As I sit here in Frankfurt Airport waiting for my flight to India, I am flashed with numerous bitter-sweet memories.

I once read a quote,

“Airports witness more sincere kisses than wedding halls!”

Ever since that particular day, I’ve developed a habit of carefully observing individuals and their facial expressions whenever I find myself at the airport.

It truly fascinates me to witness such diverse emotions, encompassing happiness, sadness, excitement, nervousness, and countless others, all converging within one location.

Have you ever wondered whether there might be another venue or event where one could encounter such a vast range of sentiments under a single roof?

Personally, I can’t fathom any other setting or occasion quite like it.

Let’s talk about the situations that caught my attention today.

I am sitting on a bench directly in front of the check-in counter. So, I can observe almost everyone’s final goodbye.

#1

A family of four arrived, consisting of an elderly and a young couple.

I presumed the elderly couple to be the parents of the young man. They appeared too frail to walk unassisted. To aid their mobility, they relied on a walking stick.

Meanwhile, the young boy seemed perpetually on the move, engaged in a quest for something elusive. I found myself wondering what he was searching for.

After approximately five minutes, an airport car arrived, specifically designed to transport elderly and disabled individuals to the gate. The boy and his wife assisted his parents in boarding. They shared heartfelt hugs and tenderly kissed their parents’ hands.

As the car set off, capturing a few photographs and waving goodbye, I was deeply touched by the evident love and respect exhibited by the couple towards their aging parents.

#2

A couple of Asian descent, possibly Chinese, accompanied by their two children.

One of the kids, approximately 3 to 4 years old, is incredibly adorable, and I can’t help but find her irresistibly cute.

I jokingly think about kidnapping her, though I mean it in a light-hearted manner. However, the other child, whose gender is uncertain, is in a stroller and constantly wailing at a high volume. The crying is becoming increasingly bothersome, and my ears are beginning to ache.

I fail to comprehend why the mother or father doesn’t care about this crying kid. It is annoying everyone.

Thankfully, an elderly gentleman eventually intervened and requested the child’s father to investigate the cause of the intense crying. At last, the family collected their belongings and relocated to a different area.

#3

As I was getting bored and frustrated when the kid from #2 was crying, I walked around at the airport without realising I reached up to the arrivals. There I observed a man with his dog. I assumed they were waiting for someone.

I’ve always harboured a dislike for the notion of owning a pet. I’m aware that many would despise me for such a perspective. Nevertheless, I perceive the task of caring for a pet to be more demanding in comparison to raising a child.

However, I am reconsidering my thoughts on this after this incident that I saw today.

Continuing the story of the man and the dog, my assumption was correct. They were waiting for a girl, probably that man’s partner. As soon as the girl came out of the airport, the dog's reaction was worth watching.

He was extremely excited to see the woman. He was jumping and barking with love as she approached them. He jumped and hugged her as she reached near him. He was constantly licking her hands and pouring love in abundance to the woman, so much so that everyone in the airport was found looking at him.

He was not able to contain his happiness, and the woman was returning the same amount of love.

I got very tempted after seeing this scene. I was wondering,

Could humans love anyone so selflessly?

The selfless love and affection were clearly visible in the dog’s actions, and all of us could see that.

#4

There is a group of people assumably going on a trip. They are around 15–20 people, including girls and boys. It’s summertime, and it’s usual for people to go on vacation during this period.

They all have big backpacks on their shoulders, are wearing light funky clothes, and seem thrilled to go on that trip.

Their energy is unmatched. They are emitting vibrant, positive energy that I am getting attracted to.

Unfortunately, I never had a chance to go on a trip with large group of friends. The maximum was five of us going on a four-day trip to Goa in 2011, again tricking our warden of the student hostels.

Though it was fun, we were still students then, with limited resources and time. It would be fun to go on such a trip now, with enough money, time, and permission to do whatever we like.

However, we have no time now. All of us are scattered in different parts of the world.

I wish to go on one such trip soon.

Parting words

There are many stories that I have been/ am observing today. However, I gather, it is my turn to go for the luggage drop. So I am wrapping it up with the below words:

My time at the airport is truly enchanting as I observe a diverse set of individuals. The bustling terminals are a gateway to a world of captivating stories and unique journeys.

What are your thoughts about it?

What activities do you engage in while at the airport?

Witnessing the interactions, expressions, and emotions of people from all walks of life adds a touch of magic to the experience.

From the adventurous backpacker embarking on a new chapter to the tearful goodbyes and heartwarming reunions, every moment paints a vivid tapestry of human connections.

The airport proved to be a microcosm of life’s ever-changing narratives, reminding me of the beauty and interconnectedness that lies within our shared experiences.

As I move towards the check-in counter with a sense of wonderment, I am thinking about those captivating encounters, cherishing the reminder that even amidst the chaos, airports have a remarkable ability to unite us all.

I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it.

Sorry for not being regular in connecting with you all. After this article, you also know why!

See you soon, lovelies!

Love, Priyanka

P.S: I wrote this article on 14th May at the Frankfurt Airport, but due to lack of internet connectivity and then no time — I was not able to publish it.

At this time, I am at my home in India, and it’s 2:00 am here.