The Hawaii Traveler

On my way to BlogHer, where I met some b5 media beauties, I was delayed for four hours in Salt Lake City due to a mechanical issue. Oy. Ordinarily, I would have been disappointed and a little put out by the whole thing, but despite wondering what I was missing at the conference, I was sort of happily passing time alone. Such is a rare delight for most parents, and I was just happy that I was alone, instead of trying to placate a three-year-old for eight hours in a big glass building full of germy things to touch.

My family used to travel stand-by to and from Hawai’i, which was difficult then, and nearly impossible now. If you’re like most people, standing around waiting for a flight for half a day can give new meaning to the word “terminal.” Besides reading, shopping, and holding Cinnabon eating contests, a traveler has to dial up his creativity to do something that he’d classify as fun. Reading your new trashy novel or David Sedaris collection only lasts so long (usually the length of the book), so I’ve compiled a list of my favorite things to do when a flight is delayed, canceled, or somewhere in between.

Clean up–Head to the lavatory and wash up, using some of your own fancy soaps or shampoos if you have them with you (in three-ounce containers, of course.) Change your clothes if possible, especially if you’ve been on the road longer than eight hours. Refresh your makeup if you’re wearing any, or put some on if you’re not. Buy some nail polish and give your toes some color. (My dad used to say that a fresh coat of lipstick made him feel like he’d just showered. Just kidding.)

Visit a designated quiet area–Does the airport have a chapel or meditation room? If so, these are great places to get away from the overstimulation of the gate. You don’t have to pray necessarily. Sitting quietly in these areas especially designed to create an atmosphere of peacefulness can give you the boost you need to make it to the next leg of your journey. Om…

Visit a place you wouldn’t normally enter–For me, these are the “gadgety gee-gaw” stores, but for you, they might be the bath and beauty boutique, the bookstore, the food court, or the shoe shine stand. Explore, and try something new.

Look around–I noticed at Salt Lake Airport that there was a stunning photograph exhibition next to the moving walkways. I got back on it after having just stepped off, so that I could stand (on the right side, of course) and take in the artistry of the Utah landscapes there. Airports frequently buy art and artifacts, and display them with information about their origins, just like museums do. Take a look around; you’ll be amazed at what you see and learn.

Take pictures–The picture above was taken at an airport, and is now featured here. Try taking a series of abstract or illustrative photos and post them to a public photo stream. You might take one that you keep forever. Or someone else (like me) might end up using them.

Meet someone new–Are you socially outgoing? Adventurous and conversationally gifted? The answer is: Who cares? You’re all trapped together, you might as well talk to someone you don’t know. Here’s a tried and true ice breaker from me to you: Start with, “I can’t believe our flight’s delayed.”

Go on a scavenger hunt–An advanced tactic for sure, best reserved for desperate times, but what could be more desperate than your umpeenth hour in a place you can’t leave? Make a list of random, goofy things that may or may not exist on the premises, hand them out to your comrades, and go (making sure the wee ones are with an adult). Some ideas for the list:

• A locker key (may cost upwards of fifty cents)
• A maraschino cherry
• A packet of soy sauce
• A business card
• A spork
• A pair of those little plastic wings or a TSA sticker
• An autograph from an airline pilot

What are some of your favorite airport time-killing tactics and measures? Write in or comment, and I’ll post them in another installment.
Photo by Flickr–Creative Commons, by http2007

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