My husband and I have a habit of arriving at the airport four hours before our flight. To many people, that might sound excessive. But for us, it’s an important part of the journey. It’s not just about avoiding last-minute hiccups – it’s about slowing down and experiencing the moment, together.
After check-in, we usually find a quiet spot at a café by the windows overlooking the runway. From there, we can see planes lining up, taking off, or gently landing. Hundreds of people on each plane, each carrying their own stories. Sometimes we just sit in silence, watching. Other times we share memories of past trips or talk about places we still want to see. These conversations don’t need a purpose or a plan — they simply unfold, and that’s what makes them real.
We’ll eventually order something to eat. It doesn’t have to be fancy or even our favorite. What matters is that we sit down together without distractions. No phones, no rush. Just us, sharing a simple meal and being present. Whether it’s a bowl of noodles or a slice of cake, food at the airport becomes more than a meal – it’s a quiet ritual.
We like wandering through duty-free shops. Not necessarily to buy anything, but just to look around and enjoy. A quick spritz of Chanel perfume brings back memories of Paris. A shelf of chocolates makes us dream of Belgium. Display cases of Swiss watches spark visions of a slower, tidier life. And always, before we leave Vietnam, we try to have a hot bowl of pho or a plate of broken rice with fish sauce – a little taste of home to carry with us.
In these in-between moments, we talk about dreams – shared ones, personal ones, old ones that never left. With no meetings or calls pulling us away, the conversations flow easier. We don’t always talk about big things. Sometimes it’s just an “I remember when,” or “one day, let’s…” And sometimes, there’s no need for words at all.
To many people, airports feel hectic and tiring. For us, they’re a pause. A brief moment to catch our breath before the next chapter begins. We don’t need anything special to happen. Just being there together, with time and space to feel present, is enough.
I’ve come to love this habit of ours. It reminds me how precious it is to move through time slowly, even when the world is moving fast around us. We sit, observe, and gently step into the new – not rushed, but aware.
People often ask, “Why go so early?” But we’re not trying to be early. We’re trying to be whole. To feel the start of the journey, not just arrive at the destination. These quiet hours help us leave behind the clutter of everyday life and step into travel with a clear mind and light heart.
For us, the trip doesn’t start when the plane takes off. It starts the moment we walk into the airport. From the security check to the departure lounge, from the window seat to the last sip of coffee before boarding – this is where the journey truly begins.
In that space of waiting, we reconnect, reflect, and recharge. And maybe that’s what makes each journey feel a little more complete.
