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Daily writing prompt

What’s the best and worst airport you’ve been to?

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MCI is the airport in Kansas City where I live. Renovations to MCI were complete in 2023. It looks nice. It’s fresh and modern. I had no complaints about the old MCI but now that the airport is renovated I appreciate the investment. MCI is my favorite airport due to proximity and familiarity. I’ve been to MCI more than I have been to any other airport.

I had a layover in Charlotte, SC years ago. The airport was nice. It looked like it was a new building or recently remodeled. They had an area in front of a large window with rocking chairs. I thought that was cute and I’m sure it’s relaxing for people that will be waiting for a while.

The airport in Newark, NJ is huge and it was hard to get my bearings and a sense of direction. You have to use a train to get around the airport. It’s like a city mass transit system for the airport. There were a lot of helpful and engaging employees around to reassure confused and anxious travelers. Newark Airport has a nice duty free shop but I did not go inside because I can tell from the outside that the merchandise is high end and out of my budget.

I’m not complaining about Newark it’s just big as heck. It’s actually kind of impressive. It reminds me of a self contained city in a futuristic doomsday novel. A bunch of people could live in Newark Airport and never leave and they won’t feel like they’re missing out on anything.

Flyers get a nice view of New York City when flying in or out of Newark. Las Vegas airport offers passengers a nice view of The Strip as they fly in or out. It’s fun to try and get a photo. This is a photo I took of the Las Vegas strip from a plane in 2017.

Reagan Airport in Washington DC has a lot of dark and hectic energy. I talked to an airline employee at their counter to check luggage. That part was fine. Then I turned the corner to go through security. Once I turned that corner it was like I got in line to enter a demonic portal of chaos and confusion with a few hundred other people in a tight, hot area with stressed out security officers yelling commands that no one can hear because it’s too loud. Their security area is kind of hidden from other areas of the airport. I’m sure a lot of people wouldn’t even board the flight after seeing the disarray and bewilderment of …everyone.

TSA threw away yogurt and fruit that I forgot I had in my purse. I was bummed out. Almost every modern problem with this country is a direct result of Ronald and Nancy Reagan’s political policies so it’s fitting that the airport that feels the most like you’re in an intake line for a forced labor camp is named for the president that put the country on a downward spiral.

I went to Athens, Greece in 2023. The Athens airport was small and it was an older building. Older meaning built in the 60s-80s. Old is subjective, especially in a place like Athens. The airport was calm and quiet. The airport employees wore nice uniforms. Airports tend to be a mess starting in the parking lot but the one in Athens didn’t have a lot of traffic. It was relaxed.

For the most part airports are all the same to me and it’s hard to distinguish one from the other. The details are very fine. Airports are more functional so the style plays a distant second and is almost irrelevant. Airports are hell holes so renovations, shops and places to get snacks don’t make a big difference.

It’s nice that the authorities let us keep our shoes on now. Yup, here I am grateful I’m allowed to keep my shoes on in public after taking them off and walking through the airport with no shoes on in public for about twenty five years. I think the change was made for World Cup travelers and the rest of us will benefit.

A private jet would be well worth the money. I understand why people use them even though they are destroying the environment. I would like to think I would make the choice that benefits the Earth if I had the choice but I don’t really know because I really do not enjoy airports.

I think cities should build more smaller airports as opposed to one or two huge ones in each metro area. That would make air traffic control more challenging but I believe they are smart and will figure it out. Have smaller airports all around like Walmarts so no one has to deal with a 100,000 people at the same time milling about like an ant farm. I like going places and walking around and doing things but I don’t like actually travelling.

I don’t have one.  The last time I thought I had a significant other I met him on the internet.   That works out for some people but I wouldn’t try that again.  Good luck to the rest of you.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a cultural tradition from your country that you love?

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Holiday (over)consumption. (It’s all overconsumption.) It’s fun, colorful and the American way. I have no problem with (over) consumption even for religious holidays. In fact (over) consumption around religious holidays are my favorite. I don’t feel like the (over) consumption takes away from the spiritual observation. They are separate matters and should be observed every day of the year in your heart.

Holiday (over)consumption and materialism brings people together and helps the economy. You may be thinking that this is shallow and you’re kind of right. But I have fond memories of holidays from my past. I specifically remember gifts and treats I have received. I remember gifts and treats I have given. I have fond memories of crowded shopping malls during the holidays and outfits I’ve worn on Easter. What’s wrong with that? People that say money doesn’t buy happiness are fake deep liars.

Enjoy holiday fun. It’s all just stuff that won’t matter or be remembered at all one day.