April 2023 | An Explosive Site Specific Emotion.
Coming to the airport always gets me very emotional; sometimes it’s excitement, sometimes it’s sadness, and sometimes it’s just the good feelings from people-watching. Full of emotions, indeed.
Here’s the thing: in my culture, people make a big deal out of picking up or dropping someone off. I never knew how important it was until I saw more. At one point, my American friend, who has lived in Laos for a while, mentioned she never understood why so many people would see her off at the airport every time she visited home— I guess logically it is more practical to catch a ride than to have a troop at the airport. Until she got used to this practice by a group sending you off or picking you up at the airport. Until one day, she got used to it, but on a story twist— fewer people came, making her feel lonely.
I now understand that. I also felt the unnecessary reason to do so, but I can’t deny that every time I see people waiting to fetch me by the gate, it makes me feel somewhat good. Maybe it’s a good gesture, or it’s the safe feeling you get before you leave or come to a new place you departed from.
The warmth from hugging and kissing. It is another way to show love.