It’s that time of year, when people have accumulated vacation time to visit friends and family throughout the world. Highways are crowded, trains are booked, and flights are delayed. Generally it’s not my favorite time to travel, as the world is temporarily filled with chaos as people are trying to reach their destination.
I can’t help but observe fellow travellers around me. As I write this, I finished my second flight to Panama and awaiting my third to head to Colombia, for a week long cruise. The first flight was two hours late, from the tiny airport in SLO. I kept my cool, because my layover of four hours had space. But others didn’t. As we landed in Terminal 7 in LAX, some of us walked towards Bradley International terminal. The shuttle was closed temporarily for 30 minutes. We had the option of waiting or leaving the airport, walking 10-15 minutes, going back through TSA to head to our gates. One family was worried, they didn’t know if they would make it in time. Another man in his 60s decided to walk, I walked with him. As we walked we shared stories. “I have to make this flight to Tahiti, I haven’t spent Christmas with my family in 30 years.” He had travelled from Denver, a delayed flight, made it to another flight, and was determined to make this particular flight on Air France. He was meeting his family in Tahiti as his sister and her partner have been sailing the world for six months and the family decided why not meet in Tahiti. I said I was headed to Colombia. He reminisced while briskly walking. “I lived there for a month when I was 17, with two other expats. Someone let us rent their place for $8 for the whole month. “ He proceeded to share how he spent six months hitchhiking South America. What an adventurer. We parted ways, wished each other luck. I didn’t know his name, but I will remember his story.
As I made it to my gate, I sat and wait. There were 2 Copa Airlines headed to Panama within several minutes of each other. I asked the agent why, if it was overbooked. She said “we always have two flights.” I later learned Panama and Copa Airlines is the gateway to the rest of South America. I listened as people shared their final destination. One American man said he was headed to Brazil. The staff member asked for his visa, he didn’t know he needed one and panicked. Could he get one virtually? No, it would take five days. He wanted to still take the plane and just hang out in Panama, she wouldn’t allow it. I recall my aunt and husband went to Brazil for their wedding, not knowing they too needed visas, until being turned away at the airport. They headed to NYC for an emergency embassy visit and made the most of their honeymoon. Noted for future me, check for visas for Brazil.
I felt bad for this man, he probably organized everything for this trip. In my head, I hypothesized he paid for his parking, coordinated vacation days, paid for a pet sitter, hotels, excursions, and this ticket. Perhaps he wasn’t meant to go to Brazil and will be redirected to go on a journey somewhere else or have a staycation.
Holiday travels don’t always go as planned, and we need to leave space for this. It definitely is a time of stress. I noticed I craved Asian fast food and headed to Panda Express after running to my gate. A staff member ate Cheetos as she looked at her list of to dos. People scrolled on their phones to distract themselves from time spent waiting. Another passenger on the second flight to Panama came to my gate and requested to get on that flight. The other flight was delayed and he would miss his layover, could he switch? The gate agent said no and would not help him. I thanked the stars that my plane was not late and I could make my layover. But this could have been me too. Yet in the midst of this, I noticed two Nordic travellers having a beer, as I wolfed down my Chinese food. They appeared as they were in total chill mode, as if they were just having pints at a local bar. These two seemed to be enjoying the travel moment, something many of us were missing. During the holidays we all have the potential to be stressed. Give yourself some grace during this season, and also compassion to your fellow travellers and humans. You don’t know what they are going through. Notice the little things that make you smile, however ridiculous. At this café in Panama as I write this my Almond Cappaccino was $8, the same price as that fellow traveller’s month in Colombia. The duty free shop was filled with holiday carolers and Mr. and Mrs. Claus available for photo ops. One bathroom cleaner played Reggaeton as she cleaned the sinks. In another bathroom, a cleaner wore a holiday reindeer headband. Somehow they were making the most of the busy work day. Take in the joy where you can, and spread some if possible. Notice what’s going on around you, how other people are engaging with the day, observe the moment versus totally distracting yourself from the world. Find gratitude for what is working. We’re all just trying to make it to our next de
It Only Takes A Smile 