I’m taking an unexpected trip to be with family after the death of my step-mom so I have a few friends to keep you company while I’m gone.

I love airports.
I love people watching. I love hearing other people’s stories. I love being somewhere with nowhere to go, and no choice but to do whatever while I sit at the gate, coffee shop, or in the large comfy chairs in the lobby.  No sink full of dishes waiting for me, no looming work to be completed at my desk, no laundry to fold, no place to be other than the gate a few minutes before boarding. I can catch up on Google Reader, watch television programs on Hulu, read an actual book, make friends with cute boys, watch CNN, tweet like a madwoman, take a nap: all without feeling like I should be doing something else.

To me, the airport is my “free zone.”  Most especially when I am traveling alone.  Airport time is either the first few or last few hours of my trip and I am going to use that to my full advantage. If you ask me, the airport is a guilt free zone.

Often times, I use this “guilt free zone” to my advantage, and show up at the airport extra early.  Sometimes I arrive an extra hour before the recommended time to get through security.  Occasionally I have been known to show up several hours before the plane is scheduled to board.  Once or twice in my life time, I’ve been dropped off at the airport the night before a very early morning departure.  I figure, “Why not?  I love the airport!”

My home airport, Albany International, offers free Wi-Fi.  Even when I’m visiting an airport that doesn’t offer free wireless, I have the awesome blackberry tether which allows my netbook internet to be powered through my blackberry. [side note plug: it’s super-fast, considering it’s my blackberry sending magical internet vibes to my computer.  I don’t try to watch Hulu or open 10 windows at once: but I am able to read blogs, gchat with several people, stalk Facebook, and be on Tweetdeck simultaneously.  If you have a blackberry or android and a laptop/netbook I HIGHLY suggest it.  Totally worth the one time price and they have great customer service!]

Awesome internet access anywhere I have cell service aside, I’ve never been bored in the airport.  Even that time I was at the Atlanta airport for over 14 hours on pain meds, I wasn’t bored. [you guys are learning all about my crazy luck with flights, today, aren’t you?]

When I am in the airport for several hours, I always have something to do.  Of course, there is the normal – Read. Shop. Purchase some sort of overpriced beverage, adult or otherwise. Duh.  But when I travel by airplane, I like to be prepared. [maybe it’s my history of long days in airports, maybe it’s my multitasking nature…who knows.]

A Few Suggestions for Fighting Airport Boredom:

Say It: Stick 2-3 thank you notes or blank cards in the book you plan on taking in your carry on.  Take a moment to jot down a note of gratitude for someone in your life. I always keep a book of stamps in my wallet, but most airports have places you can purchase stamps and a drop box (or several!) for outgoing mail. You can also splurge on a postcard from the gift shop to drop a note to a loved one.

One of my favorite habits is to send “Thank You” post cards from the city I’m visiting to the person who hosted me.  It’s as simple as a line that says, “I truly enjoyed my time in Chicago!  Thank you for providing me a loving place to stay.  I understand the lyrics “Sweet home, Chicago” in a whole new way after spending time in your home!”  Small details make a large impact!

Ace It: Most of the time I travel with a deck of cards, even if I’m traveling by myself. You have no idea how much of a traveling superhero you are to the mom traveling alone with her 7 year old, 9 year old, and baby when your 3 hour delay becomes a few dozen games of go fish. One time when traveling to a conference for an old job, I ended up playing war with a 72 year old man for a good hour or so, listening to his stories as we flipped our cards was more entertainment than any in-flight movie could have offered.

Create It: If you don’t travel with a notebook, my apologies. But a napkin, back of a Hudson News receipt, or an extra paper bag you ask the cashier in the food court for will do: make a list [or two or three.] You have time to sit and gaze out the window and dream for a while, why not take advantage.

Airports are great places to start To Do lists: bucket, 101 in 1001, summer goals, places to travel in my lifetime – sure. But when at the airport, you have also landed [hardy har har] in a great location for reflection. Words which would best describe me. Favorite travel memories. Every song I’ve ever called my favorite in my lifetime. Maybe instead of listing you could sketch what you see around you? Don’t think you’re any good at drawing? When’s the last time you tried?

Listen, Learn, Laugh It: Podcast your heart out. Here are just a few selections of must listens!

View It: Many airports have art work on display.  Some have galleries of artwork, some have huge exhibits that lend history lessons on the city you are departing. When I am in full travel planning mode, I check out the airport website and see what it has to offer.

How about checking out :

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