I remember as a kid I had an extreme fascination with travel. The idea of jetting off to an exciting place. And lets face it, when I was younger EVERYWHERE was fascinating because it wasn't what I was used to, here in good old Colorado. Even the thought of flying for work, excited me.
I also remember the joy I had, packing the night before a trip, mom and dad reminding me of all I had to remember to NOT forget. For a short while I was convinced there weren't shops where we traveled because of my mom's constant reminder to "not to forget anything." But the level of excitement I had the night before, led me to not sleep well, carrying over into the adrenaline of the next morning or day when we hopped on a plane for the unknown.
As I got older, I became fascinated with the study of people in the airports we wandered through, human behavior. It's an interesting display of folks at their best, or worst. You can generally tell those who are hopping on planes for work related trips, laptop out, feverishly checking emails on their cell phones (never mind as I type, I am on my work laptop, in an airport, just one of those many business travelers). The study of dress, level of stress on making the plane (if they are rookie business travelers), as well as the desire to find a decent meal that doesn't include the default of McDonalds that seems in EVERY airport food court. (I lucked out on this trip, a Farm Fresh eatery, Mod Market,just opened in the United terminal in Denver. Score, bacon before 7am!).
Then there are the travelers who get the chance to hop on a plane to fun, sand, excitement of fresh powder somewhere. The easy going folks who are super laid back, ready to just relax. Their uniforms take on different designs, sweats or yoga pants for comfortability, a pair of shorts and flip flops if they are going somewhere hot. They are always the ones I envy when I am traveling for work, wanting so badly to sneak on their plane and fly away from responsibilities and just relax for a while.
I remember the days before 9/11 too, where displays of affection and love hit you the minute you stepped off the plane. Where friends and family were allowed to greet you at the gate and depending on the reason for travel, it meant a somber and sad hug, or tears of joy as you embraced your friend or family member you hadn't seen in years. When these reunions were confined the spaces of baggage claim and the pick up arrival areas, something felt lost.
I started business travel early, at the ripe age of 22, fresh from college. The opportunity to "see the world" for work was too intoxicating a concept for me, so I jumped at the chance to be a consultant. I found out way too quickly that removing yourself from the life you were used to at home, was more challenging, and depressing, than I first realized it would be. And at 24, realized that I wasn't going to be young and enjoy life forever, so business travel took a backseat to creating a life for myself at home.
Once again, I am forging back into business travel today. I'm lucky in almost 10 years with my company I've only had to travel 3 times for work. Each time, there's been some level of excitement as I go through security, survey the folks waiting in line with me for food and coffee, and remind myself of souvenirs to get the hubby in the place I end up. This might become more constant for me in the near future (business travel that is), so for now, I am enjoying the quiet buzz of the food court, a much needed cup of coffee, and allowing myself to ride the wave of travel til it sends me back home on Friday.
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