I love airports ~:happy waiting for airplane time:~

Indeed, being in the airport is exciting. Aside from the knowledge that it's a portal that connects people from all around the world, there's also the childhood fascination with airplanes that never went away. From the minute the airport becomes visible from the highway til I'm at the destination, I never stop looking around (sleeping during travel sucks!). Plus, depending on the airport, there's always a bunch of interesting cultural/architectural displays to marvel at.

I've been to a fair amount of airports before, but I'm afraid I can't remember too many of them. San Francisco International is the airport we usually use, due to its proximity and flight selection (San Jose doesn't offer as many international flights), and it's pretty nice, especially after the expansion/redesigns a few years ago. Plus, it's like "our" airport (for bay area residents), so there's that (maybe misplaced) sense of pride. Elsewhere in the US I've been to Los Angeles and Washington Dulles but I didn't get much of a chance to look around (we were on a transfer).

Internationally, I'd have to say CKS International (Taipei) is tremendously boring and lacks modern architecture. I seem to remember Charles de Gaulle (France) having a really awesome system of automated walkways and some funky architecture. Narita International (Japan) wins for having amusing illustrations over all their squat toilets.

Traveling abroad again this holiday season, so I'm looking forward to indulging in some childish enthusiasm and wonder at the airports.

Jam it back in, in the dark.