Amsterdam, Paris, Laguardia. Newark, JFK, LAX.  Burbank, Dallas Fort Worth, Dallas Love Field and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Charlotte and Orlando. Miami and Fort Lauderdale. SFO, Detroit, Philadelphia, BWI, Tampa, and Nashville. Dulles and Reagan. De Gaulle to Rio Galeao to Stockholm to Frankfurt.  All airports are basically the same. Airports all have the same news and snack stores, chain restaurants, and Starbucks (or Dunkin Donuts). 

They all have a distinct smell and feel. Weary travelers on their way home, rushing to get to the baggage claim first. Excited travelers on the start of their journey, stopping at the bar for a celebratory drink. Or the business travelers, with their perfect carry on luggage, with their sportcoat hung nicely over the top. The haggard mothers, trying to coral tired, overstimulated children and avoid the glares of their fellow travelers whose only thoughts are “please don’t let them sit by me.”

They all have the constant buzz of noise in the background. The droning of announcements for departing flights and delayed flights and the occasional name of a passenger who stopped in the bar just a little too long or hit crazy traffic on the commute to the airport. The millions of pieces of conversations. 

I take my airpods and my computer. Download my books and my music. Wear an extra sweatshirt for when I get cold, and buy a water for when I get thirsty. A seasoned traveler comes prepared. Every airport around the world is the same, and I have seen quite a few of them!