Our taxes pay for the Ministry of Transportation Provincial and Federal Services provided. Our Municipal Governments provide for other services which I have not always taken advantage of. I have begun to utilize what is available to me, and even though my tax dollars have always paid for these benefits, I have not been privy to the knowledge of what they all were, or merely did not have the where-with-all or time to consider how truly fortunate we are …to have all that we have.
Our taxes pay for the urban beauty that surrounds us, architecturally.
Ok, I am in line (a very long line) at Pearson International Airport( Terminal I) and there is a cancellation, a rebooking of my reservation and then a very very long security check-in, then the flight leaves from Gate 64, a delay ensues, then it’s another 2 hour wait at a different gate, Gate 62.
How does the average person deal with this phenomena? Do Breathing exercises? Go crazy? Be resourceful?
I am in line, and the two girls behind me have just been notified that their flight has been cancelled, we actually laugh at this outrageous situation!! The older sister, Jennifer, has been on a mission to buy a horse for Sheffield Farms in Plymouth,Mi …from Charlet Farms in Stratford, On( and yes both girls loved the movie Sea Biscuit). Janet, only 16 years old, explains that her true interest is in raising Cockatiels from eggs, & as well, she looks after sheep and chickens on their family farm. (just charming kids).
RESOURCEFUL: is harnessing the energy from the people around you, the vitality and comradery are worth the wait The Spanish-speaking Venezuelan Coach explains that his group of children have come to Canada for an International Karate Tournament.
TIME keeps ticking on & on & on…and the diversions that once entertained you are no longer fun. All you want is to be where you were meant to be…and it is not here!!(Lester B. Pearson International newly renovated Terminal I).
FINALLY, I REACHED MY DESTINATION.
Then, as only time knows how to manage life…
It becomes a memory.
Soon I am back in Newark Airport, Terminal C, going through the security check-in
I ask the staff person “How many passengers have gone through International United Airlines check-in today?” Without blinking she states 27,000.
I note that there is almost a festival atmosphere, as the employees usher through the packs of people from one line to another. The staff joke amongst themselves and offer the occasional good-natured crumb/comments to the weary traveler. It’s summer and there’s that variable. People in general seem to be happy.
On my return to Terminal I, the fine designed beautifully appointed venue sufficed for an overnight stay(delays and late arrival were the reason) and in the morning, with a Tim Horton’s coffee, I boarded the GO Bus to Yorkdale Shopping Centre and bought a Ontario Northland Ticket for Parry Sound. in the terminal. That was 7:30am and my Bus did not depart until 11:30am….so I took the escalator up to the shopping area, and used the facilities in this modern washroom. After cleaning up, and buying a nutritional juice from the only shop that was open, I asked a janitor to take my picture having Breakfast at Tiffany’s . He was Italian, did not speak much English, but found this very funny. He also understood how to work my camera.
In the Bus Terminal, once again, I witness a passenger leap up and exclaim to her cousin sitting next to me,( after having read her text message)”hurrah!!!! I am excepted to be a student teacher..they let me in!!). After I asked if I could take her picture, she said that the Niagara Region was putting cuts on hiring and that she had just “got In”.
Once I was northward bound, I took a few photos, but mainly just remembered the reason why I travelled this route.
“So What’s different about the U.S A. and Canadian airports and travel checks etc…??”
The Newark Airport had a carnival-like attitude, maybe with authority.
Well, on second thought, so did Terminal I, in Canada.
Comparisons are a pain.
People are all the same.
We’re just different when we choose to be(with the insecurity of our well defended egos checking in)
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