Photo by Carlos Aristizabal
This is going to sound crazy, but I love airports. Sure, they are hubs of chaos, frustration and overpriced keychains that — let’s face it — no one is going to be thrilled to receive. But to me, for as long as I can remember, they represent the beginning of adventure.
I remember entering Simon Bolivar International Airport in the muggy city of Maiquetía as a young girl and being welcomed by the glorious multicolored floor designed by Venezuelan kinetic artist Carlos Cruz-Diez. The piece, which still graces the floor of the international terminal, is called ”Ambientación de Color Aditivo, 1974.”
I loved walking across its strips of bright, tropical colors and watching them move with each step I took. It set the tone for how I felt, flowing alongside my enthusiasm to journey somewhere — anywhere— whether a beach holiday in nearby sunny Barbados or off to distant lands like Israel, where overzealous uncles eagerly waited to pinch my cheeks.
That excitement to travel has remained with me since, still kicking into full gear the minute I walk into any terminal. Scenes of crowded, flustered folks do not faze me, in fact, they serve as inspiration. That woman with twin toddlers fighting for her lap, looking like she could use a 12-hour nap? Perhaps she’s headed to Chicago to drop them off at Grandma’s so she can finally get a well-deserved girls’ weekend trip. The handsome couple outfitted in brand new rugged outdoor gear? Off to conquer Mount Everest or finally visit Machu Picchu!
It’s the writer in me that can’t help it: there’s a story behind everybody, after all. But place them in an airport while I’m there and it is bound to be a tale brimming with adventure and fun. Travel is, ultimately, not just about visiting a destination, but about having an experience that will, in some way, shape us and our outlook on the world. So, while others may rightfully dread the finicky check-in monitors or taking off their shoes in the security line, I’m happily anticipating the adventures I, and those around me, are on the way to have.
Happy Reading!
Alona Abbady Martinez
alona@bocaratonobserver.com