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World enough and time: What airports have to offer on long layovers
With more airports striving to boost their countries’ cultural offerings to the world, your stop-over no longer has to be limited to just eating, shopping or sitting around. Beyond the usual Starbucks and duty-free shops, there are interesting places in every airport just around the corner for the traveler who has the time to look around.
You might just notice something that epitomizes a country and its people, and offers a sense of place. Synonymous to public markets when we travel locally, airports give us a glimpse of the characteristics of their country even as they try dish out global fare and international brands. Here are a few examples.
In New York
You know you’re in the wonderland of the biggest creator of music, movies and stage productions when as soon as you step out of the plane at JFK International, you hear loud speakers blaring the Pointer Sisters' "Jump," which makes you want to drop your bags and do just that. You wonder if they will also play the perfect companion piece, Lulu's version of "Shout." You also won't miss the wide flat-screen TVs featuring CNN in every corner of the airport.
If you're hungry, JFK offers a wide range of international cuisines, including American, Colombian, Italian, Mexican, Turkish, French and a mix of Asian.
But if you're in a more contemplative mood, Terminal 4 has four chapels for those who prefer to spend some spiritual quiet time with themselves. The chapels are open to everyone.
So if the feeling of celebrating life and freedom starts to get to you, well then, Welcome to New York, baby!
In San Francisco
Memorializing culture is definitely one of the stronger and finer points of the San Francisco International Airport.
Take, for example, its eyecatching public art display in the main hallway: a collection of paintings, scuptures and environmental art pieces that showcase the diverse culture of the Bay Area.
Photographs are ubiquitous throughout the airport, while a well-curated Aviation Museum and Library offers a historical glimpse of commercial aviation.
One other museum is dedicated to student art and features exhibitions from schools and youth organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
In London
If celebrity chefs espouse a certain food culture, then London’s two largest international airports, Heathrow and Gatwick, are certainly among the frontrunners of this lifestyle niche.
Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food at Heathrow Terminal 5 offers the superstar chef's signature recipes.
Over at Gatwick Airport, there are a number of restaurants to try. One is run by another famous Brit: Jamie Oliver’s Italian Restaurant is where you can taste some of the Naked Chef's innovative and appetizing farm-to-table dishes.
Pinoy pride
Ah! Don’t forget the best ambassadors of multiculturalism in these places: the airport personnel themselves. Many of them are Pinoy workers.
They are your ground attendants and flight attendants, chefs, store managers and utility service crew.
They are kabayans in the true sense of the word, are ready to assist even before you ask for it. They offer you the gift of friendship even before you can express it. They are your companions and kakuwentuhan while waiting for your flight. Most of the time, they become a part of your travel’s fond memories.
Next time you are in for a long-haul airport stopover, why not make the most of it by spotting cultural treasure troves. It could be worth your while to have a feel of a country’s culture however limited it is without having to step out of the airport. With a little search online, you can plan your activities better as well as stir a sense of anticipation of a nice little trip within a trip. Consider it a treat that is free of charge most of the time. — BM, GMA News
