Sunday, December 21, 2008

NEW YORK. . .OH WAIT, NEWARK

My journey home has me stopped over in Newark, N.J. The driver who took me to the airport this morning told me that this is one of the worst airports to be in for a long period of time, I have yet to see that validated though. I have, however, been awarded the privilege of hearing some genuine Jersey accents, gotta love it. My only letdown thus far was not being able to see New York City in the distance as we descended. There's still the flight out of here though so I'm holding on to that glimmer of hope. In the meantime I've resorted to one of my favorite pastimes, people-watching. It never ceases to amaze me how many people are in this world, how different and diverse we all are, and how we each have our own individual lives and stories and loved ones, etc. It's somewhat crazy to me that all of us live on this planet together but more or less have individualized worlds that we exist in. Yes, we have shared resources, and governments, and faiths, and what have you, but the majority of the people on earth have no idea that I even exist, or know my friends and family and the things that are important to us, what we do, where we've been, etc. In all senses, I, and most of us, do truly live in our own little world. As I look around me at all the people in this airport I can't help but imagine what their own little world is like, who they know, where they're flying to, what they love, everything that makes up their life for them. I would venture to say that I'll most likely never know the answers to any of those questions for the majority of the people I see, and the majority of the people in the world, but it certainly won't stop me from wondering. And, if anything, maybe it'll prompt me to start conversations with random strangers more often.

**Update: I did get a good glimpse or two of the New York City skyline as my plane was taking off -- no letdowns really then. Also, I was quite lucky/blessed to make it home with practically no hitches, I've seen and heard of atrocious airport and flight issues going on and don't know how I squeaked by without really encountering any.**

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