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I know it’s not really fashionable, but I actually like airports. Granted, waiting around in them can get tiresome, but I don’t think I’ll ever get bored if going to airports.

Ever since I was a kid, when my parents would take me out on the observation desk at Tullamarine to wave off overseas tracelkers, I have been fascinated by the complexity, order, chaos, uniformity and uniqueness of airports. I love the fact that everyone is heading to different destinations. For an instant I could cross paths with someone on their way to Shanghai, Suriname or Swan Hill. As travellers, we are all thrown together, regardless of background, social or cultural interests (well, except for those lucky few in first class!). I can be sitting next to a Greek grandmother, the bogan family from hell, or an aspiring rock band on their first interstate tour.

Some other things I quite like about airports:
• People who take pillows on planes. OK, this can be pretty annoying, but, unless you’re unfortunate enough to sit next to one, it’s quite sweet. Kinda like they’re off on a grown-up version of a boy scout camp or something.
• Pilots looking hot in their uniforms.
• Flight attendants being all smug and official as they strut through the airport in packs, knowing that they look more coiffed than ANYONE else in the building.
• The way every single male flight attendant seems to be taking part in a covert international “campest-man-of-all-time” contest.
• The arrival and departure boards made of those cut-in-half letters and numbers that click, whir and tumble as they cycle through.

I’m sure there’s more to add to this list… Any suggestions?