Before the Gates

Airports can be both ugly and beautiful. A place of anxiety, excitement and sadness. Waiting to go to the airport I was quite jittery. I wanted to be at the airport, I wanted to be on the plane, I wanted to have everything I needed and not to have forgotten anything... I'm yet to be sure.

Being at the airport after checkin was much better. Having a coffee with friends and family was a fitting farewell, but there really is only so much of it you can do with so much anticipation at the forefront of your mind.

Through the gates of no return and everything was fine. Although I was sad about leaving loved ones behind, there was the excitement of what was to come and the relief that the journey had begun.

Through customs without a stamp in my passport I briefly wandered aimlessly through monopoly-priced duty free stores before sitting down and waiting for departure. I turned my MP3 player off for boarding immediately after Neil Finn's melodic voice faded, ending the appropriate anthem Better Be Home Soon by Crowded House.