Transit Days
Greetings from Madrid's Bajaras Airport where we are waiting for our next flight. There are two kinds of people I hope to avoid in the airport. The ones that cluster in front of staircases and thoroughfares, blocking all progress, and the ones that mow you down in their rush to be at the front of the line. As much as I love Spain and her people, this is the worst country for walking in a crowd. Pedestrians bounce around like pinballs and stop suddenly, with no rhyme or reason. Straight lines become impossible. Moving through the city is akin to playing roller derby, minus the hip checks. Despite the colorful chaos of humans being human, this is one of my favorite airports. It's clean and easy to navigate.
Transit days are full of small tasks that make life interesting. How do I add an “airport supplement” to my metro card? How many stops until we get off? Do we need to take our computers out at security? Where is our gate? I feel like I'm playing a real life video game, hopping and dodging, solving puzzles. We're at the midpoint now. After the flight we'll do it again in reverse. Airport, metro, then the walk to our hotel. Can I beat my high score? I award myself points for maintaining my inner chill. Stress is the enemy, and I want to fling myself onto a bed later tonight and let it all go.