The Airport: Part 1

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.

Because of my time miss management I arrived there way too early - humanly impossible to always be this early - but i was. I sat there whole time watching the people around. The Namibian airport is very small, you can practically shout in the departure area and the arrivals would run back to their planes. There was a group of Europeans sitting together, speaking their English with thick accents. Proud of their endeavors in the Namibian wilderness. One said he saw a rhinoceros, I roll my eyes. Rhinoceros are our pets lol. Europeans because they think khakhis are the African safari fashion, Oversized hats and sunburnt skin. In case anyone wonders, they are coming from Namibia, the hot African sun has tamed their pale skin and they survived. Applause.

Just in front of the gates is a large number of drivers with poorly written boards with names misspelt.

There is a cleaner, walking around with a broom and mop, both hands simultaneously working. It made me wonder if kung fu wasn't really invented in Africa. A wrist roll and the broom swoops up the dirt and right after the gentle caress of the mop, she looks unfazed like it is just another practice session. I wonder what she'd look like in action. The automated doors open and my heart jumps, every time. I should be calmer I think. I'm cool. Regardless I wait slightly impatiently for her to walk through those doors, nervous for her and nervous for me.

I glance at the clock at the boards, I assume it wasn't working or God decided today was his April fools because ever glance would only be two minutes past. I realised I had a whole two hours to practise my ice breaker. What did the chicken say to the dog? No no that's too stupid. I try to think of something witty, along the lines of "would you like to touch my tattoos?"

Sooner than I could decide on the best route, I'm joined by an old elderly couple who wear permanent frowns even when they are smiling. The woman was watching two toddlers running around barefoot. I could imagine the kind of scolding the parents were receiving in her head. I realised I'm nervous. More than I should be. I've known this woman a while now - surely...

Well 23minutes until arrival, I take a deep breathe and shook my nerves away. Or did I? Her flight has landed! Oh shit the door is opening...