It is better to travel well, than to arrive.
Buddha
Welcome to the season of jet-setting and chasing the sun. I hope for all of you who happen upon this article that this summer, you are headed somewhere new and exciting. Climb a mountain, swim in an ocean and eat the local food. But before you can get to the fun destination, you have to make the sometimes grueling (and boring) journey. And where do most of our interesting journeys begin?
The airport of course!
So you got to the airport WAY early, now what? Here are fourteen things to do when you're bored in an airport:
1. Browse the shelves of the Hudson News Stand
Not only do they have every magazine you could never need (so many golf magazines) they have your favorite over priced airport snacks, huge neck rings that will never fit in your bag and a gum selection to make any dentist smile.
2. Listen and count how many different languages you hear spoken
Deciphering the difference between each is the hard part.
3. Log on to that sweet airport Wi-Fi
Save up that data! You are about to take a trip which means you're probably going to be spending a little more money than you usually do. So click on to that free airport wifi and keep your followers on every platform informed about what you're up to (in moderation of course...don't be obnoxious).
Oh, and just remember not to check your bank account on that open wifi.
4. Go shopping
It seems like airports are slowly starting to turn into malls. Gucci? in an airport? I can't afford it, but while I am here might as well go browse through the bags that are worth more than all my clothes and shoes combined.
5. Write an Odyssey article
I mean, that's what I'm doing.
Now if you REALLY want to participate in #5 of this listicle, but you aren't yet an Odyssey Creator (but you really want to be) come with me.
6. Double check your bags
If you are anything like me (both forgetful and paranoid) you check your bags more than twice.
7. Read up on where you are going
Be that person. Whip out the travel guide you spent a lot of money on and ACTUALLY READ IT. There is some good information in there with a lot of sightseeing suggestions you would not have thought of otherwise. You will look a wee bit like a lame tourist, we win some, we lose some.
8. Get a massage
They're cheap and not half bad (trust me). Just be prepared for people to stare.
9. Dine at a fancy airport restaurant
Seattle-Tacoma airport is basically turning into Bellevue Square. High end shops and fancy restaurants. I mean if you have the time though, why not? Try that steakhouse in Terminal S and own it.
10. Take the tram between terminals over and over
I think it's fun. Maybe not too productive. But fun.
11. Try and guess where other travelers are going
For some reason I find it easiest to spot the people going to the mid-west. Maybe they are distinctive. Maybe they just have a look. Maybe I just have an incredible talent.
12. Figure out your killer travel playlist
Get all the good music downloaded on your phone so you are not searching for those Wi-Fi spots to get all your music to play smoothly (I am looking at you Spotify).
13. Take artsy airport photos
You know what kind of pictures I am talking about. I'm thinking your silhouette against the floor to ceiling windows that look out on to the plane that is about to take you on your next adventure. You're probably not looking at the camera and a self-timer and/or kind bystander was probably involved for the actual snapping of the picture.
14. Stare at the gate door until it opens
Yeah, or just do that.
I wish you the best adventures and the safest travels!
