Somewhere and Back Again

"Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport...Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. If you look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love actually is all around."

- Hugh Grant, as Prime Minister, Love Actually





Still in relation with the "The Terminal" movie that I watched, I intend to write something about one of my most favorite things in this world (fifth actually, after love, dreams, written words, and chocolates), travel.



I like looking at planes. So frightening in its majestic size, it literally makes the world a smaller place. Aside from my personal computer at home, and the telephone, the airplane is one invention that shrinks distances. For me, it's the Millenium Falcon (not the Enterprise, for I'm not a Trekkie, I'm a StarWars Geek), ready to shuttle off to its next great adventure in a galaxy far, far away. It represents places I've never been before, places I've always wanted to see. The airplane is, and probably will always be, the ultimate symbol of the great adventure into the unknown, beyond the horizon.



I can almost imagine myself, with that unmistakable tingle of excitement that probably passes through the spine of every passenger upon boarding. I would look back, instilling in my mind the familiar picture of home, and would grin and run fast towards the adventure waiting for me, but all the while promising to be back soon.



I think I have a soft spot for airports. Maybe because of my deep love of anything related to travel. But I think it's because it signifies so many things to many people. I should probably hate the airport because I am one of those people who really, truly hates waiting, of any kind. Yes, I'm also one of those who, when being waited upon, doesn't mind it as much.



And so much waiting is being done in an airport. Waiting for someone to arrive, waiting for the call to board your flight, and even waiting for some crazy chance to get to that flight you know was not meant for you in the first place.



But I love airports. It has different meanings to different people. I smile when I remember the way they painted the picture of love in Love Actually, by comparing it with the Arrivals gate scene. All those hellos minus the goodbyes. All the hugs and kisses everywhere. Some with tears of joy, some with silent prayer of thanks, and then some with pretend excitement. Me, I'd want many hellos, but not goodbyes. I'd rather have hellos and see-you-soons. Hugs and an excited wave. Arrivals and Departures Gate in a nutshell.



I am wishing fervently that I get to travel someday, get to see as many airports in the world as I can. All those Arrivals Gates to see. But I have no wish to leave my home for good. This will always be home for me. I may want to see Harry Potter, Eiffel Tower, the Vatican, the pyramids, and walk around Central Park, but I'll be happier if I know that after doing all that, I'll soon be returning home with a hot pandesal in the morning waiting for me.



If we are people carrying signages while waiting in a bus stop, a train station or in the airport, studies show that majority of the Filipinos will be carrying signs saying



'Anywhere but here'.



I remember a story in Robert Fulghum's book, and I will borrow it here for now, because very appropriately, my sign will say



'Go somewhere and then back again.'



So, what would your sign say?



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*I watched The Terminal, not because of Tom Hanks or Steven Spielberg, but because Diego Luna is there. Go figure my reason is someone who looks young enough to be mistaken for a high school student.