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Finally we are off to Mindanao with a few stops on the way, five flights total. The anticipation has been growing the past few months and here Lauren, Scott and I sit in …., China with a 10 hour layover. It is 1:30 am and tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough. We are sitting in the empty airport and after a 12 hour flight the open space away from crowds is refreshing; it is nice to be able to stretch our legs out freely. The lights are flickering off and it begins to feel a little wary, a bit like being at a carnival late at night when you know the excitement of people filled every inch a few hours prior. Lauren brought up earlier the inevitable feeling of being a minority and standing out in the crowd; it is a very humbling experience which also is a reminder what a privilege it is to have the opportunity to travel and interact with people from around the world.
Getting up at 5:00 am people started to fill the airport and we stumbled through security trying to wake up. Now January 5 at 2:00 pm we are anxiously waiting for our final flight from Manila to Davao. Checking into our last flight the girl asked us where we were from, and letting her know we are from California, she sighed saying how much she wished to go to another country. I asked her where she would go first and she said anywhere. Talking with her brought me right back to the initial thought of the trip of how privileged we really are. She works six days a week 9 hour days and constantly checks people in flying to new destinations without having the opportunity of travel in sight for herself. I didn’t see her as feeling sorry for herself, she was extremely positive and seemed quite content. Maybe this was a job that she just happened to stumble upon or maybe it was a job that took her a step closer to traveling and being in touch with other countries that she may not ever get to see. Either way she seemed to be hopeful but also accepting whatever the outcome. I guess that’s a reminder that you can’t dwell on all the places you won’t go or all the things you never had the chance to do or become but take what you have and make the most of it.
