Walking Where Worlds Meet: Part One

Does air conditioning have a smell? I think so, right.

With two flights, a moderate layover, and a long train ride filling your itinerary for the day, completing your step goal becomes challenging. I still wanted to try though.

At 4am, I decided to turn aeroplane mode on prematurely, put my shoes back on, and head for a walk. Equipped with toothpaste, I first made a detour to rub fluoride onto my gums, giving me that improved, but still slightly unsatisfying feeling of half-brushed teeth. Stupidly, I left my toothpaste in my checked bag. It wasn’t an accident. I chose to leave it there for some reason, even though it is about the size of a pencil.

As I began walking, I realised I was missing something else. Jet lag! I wasn’t jet lagged at all, and I wasn’t going to be for quite some time. That was nice.

Taiwan Taoyuan Airport feels a little dull. Sure, it was entertaining peering into the high-end designer stores to see if there was actually a single customer, or looking at the cool model train on display. But a very monotonous layout. No turns, just travelators (is that a word?) as far as the eye could see. There was a small, comforting library off to one side though.

Eventually, the corridor snaked downhill a little bit. Traffic increased. Finally, there may be some variation ahead!

Alas, the path opened again only to reveal an infinite cascade of red boarding gates and tired families who weren’t going to sleep anytime soon. I was grateful for a few windows though and slightly less dizzyingly bright lights. Onwards.

If nothing else walking an airport is productive exercise. I could feel the swelling slowly retreating from my legs; the pool of blood in my feet re-circulating itself around the body. It also provides glimpses into so many lives, albeit tiny ones. Families arguing in foreign languages, solo travellers sleeping across two seats, curled up in positions that I know cannot be comfortable, airport staff working the graveyard shift.

I reached a panoramic window with views beyond the tarmac. The literal end of the terminal. Maybe I could watch the sun rise over Taipei.

Kind of. I saw a heavily clouded sun rise over an area actually quite far away from the city when I decided to check my location on Maps. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable, grounding, and stimulating.

I’ve now stayed in this airport twice. Next time, I’d like to venture outside it. Hopefully in the near future.