Just an Extended Metaphor

Dearest Orchid,

I’ll tell you what — this post has had a few iterations already, all of them quietly squirreled away from prying eyes.

And with that vague hint, onto version three! It’s just an extended metaphor, so you’re going to have to draw all your own conclusions and make your own comparisons.

Okay, I don’t know what’s going on in my brain, except to say that it’s been on strike lately. Employees aren’t showing up for work, parts of it have been plunged into darkness for days, and frankly, if things keep going this way, someone’s gonna get fired without severance.

Now, what we have here is usually a busy, vital hub of activity, with travelers streaming through, impatiently waiting, and really just hoping to get a move on.

No one really hangs for fun; they’re here for a purpose. Arrivals, departures, baggage carousel. Taxi stand over there, lost and found over here. Some police patrolling disinterestedly, lots of purposeful walking to and fro. A few pieces of art, because, why not make the place a little prettier? But mostly utilitarian to a bleh degree.

We’re in an airport, friend. And an airport, even the most beautifully appointed one, is still a place few people wish to be.

We’re in a sprawling location, quite large indeed. And so many flights take off and arrive every day, nearly every moment. And they must carefully coordinate with the tower, lest there be an accident.

Even when it’s quieter, during the non-rush, shit’s still happening. Can’t fully close down, because red-eye flights wait for no one, except perhaps the pilot.

How are we organized? Well, meticulously. We’re a town within a town, and we serve so many people daily. They must be able to access food and drink, facilities, and all manner of assistance in order to safely depart and arrive at this destination. We’re able to look up information quickly and efficiently. We can direct you to where you need to go. We can find lost items for you, at least in theory. We’ll call you when they’ve actually been located, if you’re lucky.

We have a variety of fun, random stores with some totally off-the-wall items. Here you have a personal massager, here you have the latest bestseller. And here, you have a tall, strong Bloody Mary. All can be found on the concourse!

But look, we’re not responsible to ensure that you make your flight on time. There are rules and guidelines to follow, you must arrive at the airport with enough time for security checks. You must get to your gate and avidly listen for your section to be called. If you miss your flight, we can try to help, but really — it’s your own damn fault. We’re not a kindergarten, we’re an airport.

We are precise and on time, except when we are not. And that’s up to us, so stop your complaining.

Did I mention the duty-free? You’ll love it. Filled with luxury on which you don’t pay tax! So fabulous, so frivolous. We truly have it all.

We know that you look forward to visiting, if only because we’re the gateway to your vacation, visit home, or just a break from your family on your business trip. We know you’re not here to see us, just want to get the most out of your experience. And that’s okay, we’re here to work a system, not to make friends.

If all this seems cold and calculating, it’s because it is. We’re efficient around here. Save for the pockets of total chaos and emotion. Dear god, what gives? Over there, crying at the bar, telling the bartender a life story so dark and dismal. Or, over there, near the bathroom, terrified of getting on a plane. And of course, over there, by the baggage claim, freaking out about where the suitcase might be. So many emotional displays, so carefully hidden, so mostly appropriately aimed. Lest someone finds out that there’s real humanness under there. Tsk tsk.

We’re midsized, honestly. Not the busiest, but certainly not provincial. We’re international, you see. Flying all over, anywhere you might please. Obtaining new routes every quarter!

We hope you enjoy your stay, but we also know that even if you don’t, you’ll very likely be back, because where else are you going?

Love,

Aster

P.S. The half-dark airport brain really struggled with this one, but here goes. What’s something you wish you could do over, and what would you have done differently? I’d rather this not be something life-changing. Just something small that could have gone in a different direction. And what do you think the do-over would change in your current life?

I’d do over packing the stuffed fluffy white bunny, wearing overalls featuring a strawberry (scented!) into the suitcase, which got lost on our way to our first Florida vacation. I was young, less than 10 years old, I’m sure. And I still think about that bunny and hope it’s doing okay.

[Currently listening to: SHUM by Go_A, the Ukrainian entry into the Eurovision contest in 2021, and a song about spring. Draw all the correct conclusions.]