Being given the opportunity to explore new cities, countries and continents is one of the most thrilling experiences I have ever encountered. Traveling takes you out of your comfort zone and into new surroundings, opening your eyes to what’s beyond the Google Image search results and National Geographic magazine photographs. However, getting to your destination can be an adventure in its own. Tackling airports, alone or within a group, stimulates many emotions ranging from frustration, confusion and excitement (and some humor, too). The following is my thought process while navigating through an airport, onto my flight and after I land.
1. Why are there so many traffic lanes and which one do I need to be in?
I thought rush hour with six lanes in downtown Minneapolis was enough. I don't have enough eyes to read all of these signs!
2. There are too many people checking in for my airline, my flight is going to be packed.
Maybe these people are just here extremely early for their flights. Oh, who am I kidding, these people are here for the same flight as me.
3. I hope that screaming baby is not on my flight.
Which is more damaging: a baby screaming or blasting my music to drown out the baby's screaming?
4. Why did I put my ID in my wallet, which is at the bottom of my bag?
I just saw my wallet, it was under my sunglasses, which were under my boarding pass! I need to find a more efficient way of storing my ID.
5. That security worker was very rude.
All I wanted to know was if my earrings would set the security alarms off!
6. Wait, I don't blame him. I wouldn't want to deal with people at 3 a.m. either.
I guess I can give the worker a break, I'm not the nicest person at 3 a.m. either.
7. I need to find a convenient store and buy something to eat and drink.
Do I want candy, a mediocre, packaged sandwich, or a bag of pretzels?
8. $4.00 for a bag of pretzels? No thanks, looks like I will be starving.
I barely have enough money for a cup of water, and that's free.
9. However, I will pay whatever I need to for the latest Cosmo.
Definitely worth scrounging up all of my change for!
10. Do I have enough time to wait in line for Starbucks before my flight boards?
Let's see, I have twenty minutes before my flight begins to board, but Starbucks is on the other side of the terminal...
11. Dang, he's a cute boy, I hope he is on my flight.
I forgot that it's 3 a.m. and I woke up only 45 minutes ago, maybe I hope he isn't on my flight.
12. That girl is wearing a Minnesota Gopher shirt, I like her!
Always comforting to see a fellow Golden Gopher, Ski-U-Mah!
13. I will never understand why they board the front of the plane first, making it that much more difficult for us middle class to get on.
Sorry sir, I just bumped you with my carry on.
14. I wonder what it's like to fly first class... I'm sure they get the warm cookies and cold bottled water.
The worst part about being middle class is having to walk past first class when boarding the plane. Yes ma'am, I see your three feet of leg room.
15. I am so thankful I am not in the middle seat stuck between two strangers.
People probably think I am four years old for being so excited about having a window seat.
16. Every time I am on a plane, I cannot help but imagine Annie, from 'Bridesmaids,' and the colonial woman on the wing.
"I had a dream last night. That we went down. You were in it."
17. I have to send "I love you" texts to my family before I turn on airplane mode, you know, just in case.
I already Googled the probability of plane crashes. I am more likely to die from a coconut falling on my head, but let me just send a few texts in case there are coconuts on board.
18. I have always wanted to sit on the baggage claim conveyor belt.
Again, airports bring out my inner youth.
19. This feels like 'The Parent Trap' trying to snag my bag from under five others.
This is like my chance to live my childhood dream of going to camp and finding my long-lost twin!
20. I almost forgot to take my phone off airplane mode, I wonder how my Instagram and Twitter feed have changed while I was on my flight (my 30 minute flight).
Never mind my text messages, I need to see how the Twitter fight progressed after I turned airplane mode on!
21. I wish a well-dressed limousine driver was waiting with my name on a sign.
If I could have my way, Ryan Gosling would be holding a sign that says "Hey Girl, let me take you on a ride in my limousine." Hey, a girl can dream, right?
22. Shoot, I forgot my toothbrush.
You know that feeling you get when you feel like you forgot something? Never ignore that feeling.
