I Love Traveling, But There’s One Thing I Simply DREAD About Any Trip

by Vaishnavi Venkataraman
I Love Traveling, But There’s One Thing I Simply DREAD About Any Trip

I don’t have a wishlist or a bucket list but I can comfortably say I love to travel! Traveling to me, is a way of discovering a piece of me that’s hidden in a quiet corner. That said, I just refuse to buy that ‘air travel is now cheaper’, because it isn’t. The food, and the cab fares would almost come close a domestic air ticket.

Planning, booking tickets, researching on visa guidelines, stay options etc give me much anxiety. But if there’s one thing I absolutely hate, it has to be airports!  Don’t judge me. I’m always grateful for all the travel I’ve been able to do, but sometimes it’s just so hard to ignore those little (*actually big*) things that make airports one of the most irritating places to be. So, here’s why I think airports are worst place to be in.

1. Airports Are A Maze

Whether its international or domestic, airports are a maze! Even the world’s best airports are difficult to navigate. I can’t forget how scary and clueless I was on my first trip to London. Heathrow is an ocean- lets admit! And when you’re new to the country you’re bound to get lost. The feeling is even worse if you have a connecting flight to catch. I flew from Bengaluru to London and had to take a connecting flight to Manchester. I had a two-hour layover and I had planned to tour around the oh-so famous Heathrow airport. My dreams came crashing down when all I did was grab a sandwich and run around finding the terminal for my next flight.

And this wasn’t just the first time! My condition was the same when I went to London for the second time too. Even now, the very thought of catching a flight from a London airport makes me feel exhausted. However, with services like Heathrow Express, the experience has become less soul-destroying maybe. I won’t guarantee until my next visit!

2. You Always Have That Person Who Isn’t Airport-Ready

For years we’ve all been hearing and following airline luggage rules. But no, how can any airport trip be complete without that last minute packing in front of the check in counter. Wait, there’s more. After crossing the hassle of check in, comes the security check. The hand baggage is scanned and we sure have people puzzled and frowning why that liter of Gucci was mercilessly thrown into the bin. And then there’s also a small argument with the security. Preparing for the airport can save your time and others’. Besides, it can also save that expensive perfume, maybe!

3. Duty Free= Anything But Free

Got a great deal on flight tickets, wait until you cross duty free! Domestic or International, Duty Free shops can be a real pain. Firstly you HAVE TO snake around the whole damn place to make your way to the gate and that only makes things worse in case you’re running late. Now, coming to the shops in duty-free- honestly, who would ever want to buy an AED 1500 suitcase after they have already checked in their baggage? Also, I understand selling traditional sweets but jeweler? It’s baffling. Or even worse, get lured into buying a bar of chocolate from a brand you would have never heard before. I understand its business, but definitely not in my best interest because all I want to do is board the flight. Really- lets get it straight- Duty Free is no Louvre and Tuileries District in Paris!

4. Having To Take Your Cabin Bag To The Toilet

Small or big, cabin bags are a pain, admit it! You save yourself from the horror of wheeling the bag into a tiny toilet, that’s designed to hold just about one adult- sans bags. Why can’t airport toilets be a bit bigger? I mean, I understand toilets in airplanes being small, but don’t airports have enough space? Well, there are some airports however that have roomy toilets. Edinburgh’s water closets are practically condos- just saying!

Also, why can’t people just dunk the toilet papers IN! It’s all the time jutting out- like a basketball player never netting it.

5. The Surprise Bus To Your Terminal

You breathe a sigh of relief after making your way through crowded check in counters and the irritating-ly fancy duty-free shops. But wait, the worse is yet to come! Just when you find a spot right next to the gate (just so we’re first to board), you discover your gate is a bus or train ride away. Well, at this point my stress levels are often ripping the roof of the airport. Can airports please give us more warning signs near our gates or the check in counters? This will also help us know how much time we have on hand.

And by the time it is all done, every vestige of patience and calm is squeezed out of me and all I want to do is plug in my ear plugs, put on my eye-mask and pass out.

*End of rant*