This past weekend, I flew home for the first time - though I know many of you are aware of my love for driving - in quite a while to celebrate my brother's graduation. I was able to drive home and see my family earlier this month, but I knew that it would just be better to fly.
I ended up getting to the airport a little later than I had anticipated, so by the time I got past check-in, I was afraid that eating (a very important component of traveling) would take too much time. So, I sat through security for an absurd amount of time (in all honesty it was probably like 10 minutes but I'm a wimp), and was able to reach my gate just before they began boarding.
Starbucks was my only option. If I had stayed true to my white-girl roots, this would have sufficed for my trip back home. However, I hadn't eaten that day (a very very very very very bad idea for anyone traveling imho) and was forced to spend more money than I thought - but this is an airport, and this is Starbucks, so logically what was I thinking?
I digress.
As I line up to board, a scratchy voice over the intercom says "Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, folks, but it seems that we've come across a maintenance issue, and are unsure of how much time it will take. We will keep you updated."
To which, my heart kind of sank, but for the most part, I was content with reading my book and eating (my two favorite past times).
Out of my peripheral vision, I heard a woman say to her husband and 20-something daughter, "Well, looks like we better hit the bar!" and I don't think I've ever heard more enthusiasm for a delayed flight in my entire life.
We got the message that our flight was to be delayed until 7. I had missed an opportunity to grab some doba for an over-priced egg sandwich, and was forced to sit next to a woman with four chest tattoos fart and complain about missing the Indy 500.
(But she is probably a very nice woman despite her gaseousness)
I met a nice couple from Vincennes who had many family members graduate from my alma mater. They bought me caramel corn for watching their bags, talked to me about flying in the late 80s, and collectively people-watched all the women at the bar who drank for five hours, then boarded the plane in order to take selfies on their iPads and order even more drinks.
The reason I dwell on this recent escapade is not for the excellent people-watching I witnessed for a five-hour period while I "studied." This was a period of time when I was able to interact with the environment around me and learn how to deal with problems that are out of my control. Though it was a pain in my ass to get home at 9 o'clock when all I wanted to do was collapse on my bed and sleep for 4.5 years, I was able to make friends and exercise a much-needed metaphorical deep breath.
Traveling alone has been my favorite adult-oriented experience in life so far, and I seem to always enjoy these moments more than others. Perhaps it's the fact that I'm constantly on the move and being able to visit so many places that could have impacted someone is what motivates to continue. Living in the midwest for the past two years of so, it baffles me that I can go visit my friends in other states within a couple hours drive, where as Dallas is such a large city that I feel I'm confined whenever I'm home.
Needless to say, I enjoyed my time - both traveling and spending the weekend with my family - and I've let this traveling experience teach me these things about life, which have helped me clear my mind and set forth on a very prosperous future! <3
