The weekend trip is viewed as the perfect break, offering a chance to reset and return with a slightly altered perspective. Whether it be for vacation, work, or to visit family, the effect is the same – a feeling of being changed upon return. Traveling for just a short amount of time can have a significant impact on one’s outlook on life.
During a recent quick trip to attend a college graduation, the author found themselves marooned in transit due to extreme weather. Spending most of the trip in airports and grounded planes created a sense of being in a “zero world” – a realm separate from reality where time loses its usual markers. Despite the frustrations that came with the delays, the author found themselves fascinated by the communities and customs of this in-between space.
In the midst of dealing with travel complications, the author observed the makeshift civilization that emerged in the departure lounge. Each traveler was on the edge of frustration, but there was also a competitive effort to maintain politeness towards one another and the airline staff. It was as if they were determined to show that they were not the short-tempered passengers often seen in viral videos, but rather a society united by a common goal of reaching their destination.
Upon finally reaching the college graduation, the author found the event to be a joyous affair despite the glitches in their journey. The speaker, an astronaut, shared a shift in perspective that she experienced when viewing the Earth from space. Home, once a physical location on a map, became the entire planet in her eyes. This monumental change in perspective left the author feeling slightly uneasy as they contemplated the vastness of such a shift.
Overall, the weekend trip provided the author with an opportunity to reflect on the temporary nature of life’s challenges and the interconnectedness of humanity. Despite the frustrations and delays experienced during transit, the trip ultimately led to a deeper appreciation for the sense of community that can arise in unexpected circumstances. The transformative power of travel was evident in the author’s changed perspective and newfound understanding of the world around them.
