Airport stories : Thank God, there is .....

Airports fascinate me. 

Every time I travel, the time spent at the airport is always interesting. I usually get a large cappuccino, open a book or a writing pad, and let my imagination fly free. 

Everyone around me is in transit - they have their own travel stories. I quietly observe them and let my mind wander into their journey of life......

This time when I traveled, these are some of the people who traveled with me and my imagination.

😀

8am.  
Eli is having a red wine and reading a book titled ‘Never let me go’ by Kazuo Ichiguro.

She is flying to Venice. 

Her son called her last week to ask if she could come over for a week to take care of their 5 yr old son. He and his wife were planning to go to their friend’s wedding in Paris. 

Lisa did not say a word but Eli knew she was beside him when he made the phone call. Eli loves her grandson and the Italian red wine but.... 

She does not like Venice - too many canals, too many tourists, too loud, too dirty....

…… but she cannot refuse her son. 

Eli knows it was Lisa's decision to move to Italy. Lisa should know how moms feel- she is a mom too.  

A few words from her on the phone would have made Eli feel better. 

 
Thank God, there is red wine!! 

8 am, so what?

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Tim is a naughty child... the nice naughty type.  He will be 3 this year.

He loves to play with a balloon, sometimes for hours.  This is such a blessing for Bert. Wherever they go Bert always carries a pack of balloons, ready to be blown up anytime anywhere. 

He knew he would need one at the airport today- 4 hours of transit in Amsterdam on their way to Venice would not be very easy with him.

Tim slept the entire time during the first part of the journey – Dubai to Amsterdam. He is awake and full of energy now- running around happily playing with his red balloon.

Being a single dad is not easy, Tim was only 15 months old when Martha left. 

Bert struggled a lot but very soon realized that all he needs is a pair of healthy lungs full of air to be blown into balloons.- rest is easy-peasy.

Bert met Valentina in Venice earlier this year and fell in love.  He wants to introduce her to Tim.

Thank God there are balloons..

Hmm....They don’t allow balloons inside the aircraft.
 
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It was her dream to fly since she was 6.

Their house was in Hoofddorp, a small town close to the airport. She grew up with the sound of planes. She used to run outside and wave frantically at them.

Her father used to smile and say, 'You are going to fly in one of those when you grow up'.

Today Nina flies around the world, never ever tired of flying. Every flight is as exciting as her first one - a sense of freedom, liberation, and empowerment. 

New places, new people, new food, new cultures -she loves every aspect of her job.

The moment she enters the airport, she is in a different world. She still loves to wave, especially to small girls who look at her with dreamy eyes.

She wants to say , 'yes, dreams come true'!!

She feels like a princess once she puts on her blue dress.

Thank God , there is KLM...

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At 73, Disha has serious knee issues, especially the right one. 

Maybe it is time to get a plastic one now. She has been pushing it too long..... 

This trip to Venice is the last one, she promised herself. Once back in Amsterdam, she will go to the doctor the very next day. 

The airline assistance lady was waiting with the wheelchair. Kim, said her name tag. She pushed Disha carefully through the crowded waiting area and brought her close to the boarding gate. A few more minutes before boarding starts.

Disha was lost in her thoughts. Many years back when she first visited Venice she was overwhelmed by the city's beauty. The canals and gondolas stole her heart..she knew she would return.

Mio Amore – she is in love with Italy,  visiting the country every year since then. 

The knees have cooperated till now....travel keeps her alive.

Thank God, there is a travel bug......

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 Good afternoon! This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight KL064 to Venice. We are now inviting passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes time. Thank you.
 
 
 I took the last sip of my coffee and proceeded towards the gate......