There is an air in airports, a shimmering anticipation just under the surface. Excitement to leave, excitement to receive the people who are coming in.
This time though there was also an air of regret and sadness. It was too early in the morning and the place seemed a little deserted. I was emotional, grumpy, a 7am flight meant check in was at 5am and that meant we had to be up at 3:00am. The Namibian airport is located a whooping 37km out in the middle of no where with really tricky roads. A round of applause for great planning. Are all airports that far off?
We walked into the airport like veterans, we knew what we were doing. Stood in the check in line cracking shitty jokes to each other in comfort. 15minutes later we realised we were actually in the wrong queue! We strolled casually to the right counter and once settled in, we realised my skirt had ripped. A few tourists were waiting just ahead of us, one kept looking back at us as if we had apple trees growing from our noses! A young man stood next to us, looking confident and quite awake. Ahead of him a cute toddler in her socks, her mother and her infant brother or sister. She was impatient, I bet wondering when she'd be able to watch Barney.
20 minutes later, we got her checked in and had an hour to kill which we spent sitting closely together at the sitting area. Non of the airport shops were open there were no announcements whatsoever for the flights boarding. While we passed comments about that a woman started screaming into the microphone that the first flight was leaving. I apologized to her, I didn't know why she was pissed but I surely didn't want to be at the end of that rage!
We visited the ladies room and as usual I was quick to finish my business then watched my girlfriend fiddling with her hair for minutes. She gained the audience of an airport employee who watched her the whole time through the mirror. Next thing was like a mini dress competition. When my girlfriend checked her lipstick, airport lady plastered a few layers of hers then - as if to win the contest - she drew on her eyebrows and sprayed on her perfume! Take that baby! Lol
We returned to the waiting area and not a minute later, a woman walked by wearing a cloth on her head like a head scarf of sorts. In my confusion of the dress style, i involuntary stared, trying to figure out if she was Muslim or just rocking the African early morning look. In my contemplation I realised everyone around me was also starring. I rumbled in laughter, I realised it was that awkward moment when even she wasn't sure of herself because of the starring. She made it though without tripping or blatantly falling flat on her face.
A gentler woman announced the flight boarding for my girlfriend's flight. We walked ever so slowly to the doors and stood there a little awkwardly trying to delay the inevitable. I tried to decide if I should I should make it a Titanic moment or another lesbian movie that ends in heartbreak. I ignored both thoughts. Finally we exchanged a tight hug and pouty looks. I kissed her and said goodbye. I watched her walk away in slight slow motion...
As soon I settled back in the car I had just about one thought. When the hell will she be back?
