HOW TO HAVE MORE FUN AT AIRPORTS

SEASONED TRAVELER IAN JARRETT SHARES THE LIGHTER SIDE OF STAYING SANE WHILE WAITING FOR A PLANE

IMAGE: mind flyer+twisstii

I have been dumped in Doha, stranded in Siem Reap and lost in Atlanta. But airports still never fail to fascinate me. I very rarely suffer from boredom there and, with a little imagination, the hours can fly by faster than you can blink.

I have a routine that keeps me stress-free through some challenging times while waiting for connections.

I usually start at the souvenir shop and take time to search out the most bizarre souvenir I can find to add to my collection of truly awful souvenirs. These rarely cost more than a few dollars.

I have absurd little elephants in glass domes which become covered with snow when you shake them – I bought those in Phuket. I have little men on surfboards who float on waves inside a Perspex tube, from somewhere in Australia. I also have cute little dogs, dolls and dishes. In Nice, I loaded up with lavender soaps. In Dubai it was a camel on a stick. Crazy, I know, but each little item reminds me of an airport experience.

If there is still time to kill, my second favourite pastime is people-watching. Airports are a great place to sit and stare without attracting attention.

Who is that guy in the blue number 10 French soccer shirt? Who is the number 10 for France now? Thierry Henry, maybe…

And that blonde lady heading towards the First Class lounge… Could that be Kylie Minogue?

Perhaps it’s her sister.

I’m still thinking about this as I hear the boarding call.

“Final call for the remaining passengers travelling to Jakarta…”

I’m afraid it’s time for me to leave you.