Airports 2

 

                                                                  

 

Once I had to go to the capital of Angola, Luanda. I had the luck to fly with a small military plane. The little Jet bug rushed as stung from the airport directly above the sea. It was flying so low that I could see the fish in the water. For my "serenity", the pilot explained to me that it is much safer. The coastal artillery of rebel Savimbe could not see us. I do not know whether this calm me down, but at least I arrived in Luanda two times faster. Were those years when the military pilots in Angola in spare time could "make money" for themselves. For passengers it was convenient to travel quickly and not to fight with the inevitable crowds of African airports. More, small airplanes leave us straight to the exit of the airport, a few steps from the cabs.

The next time the plane, which I flew to Luanda receive accident. The pilot circled the airport several times over with hope to open the wills. When he realized that this is not going to happened he went back over the sea to empty the tanks. We were ready for "landing". To the surprise even of pilot wheels opened although quite sharply we landed. I can't remember another show in my life, I heard more applause and a standing ovation.

 The airports are the doors of modern cities.  Before leaving the airport it is better to look and gather first impressions for the hosts. By the concept of modern airport can be measured the time. We can  start from the concrete buildings of the old European cities and come to light mesh structures as those in Hong Kong, Minneapolis, Denver and many others... At the airport you can say which Nations are the most frequent visitors of this city and what are the most decorated aircraft. I don't know if  because my longest flight was to Bangkok and Hong Kong, but there I saw the most painted  aircraft-they had picked flowers, animals, any ideas as if they were toys.

 

                                                          

          When someone visits more than ten to twenty airports the impressions get confused and is no longer clear where and what he saw. To the traditional requirements for cleanliness, organization of the movement, the  presence of enough services, entertainment and exhibits of art, ornamental plants fountains and so-on, now we have to add additionally discretion,  and security.          

          About 40 years ago at the airport in Rome I saw for the first time armed guards.  And until now have before my eyes the big automatic rifles and tense glances of the Carabineers . Then only they knew why they were there. We are now relaxed, if they are around.

           I don't know why I'm most like Heathrow, one of the London airports, Gatwick, as well as Vancouver, Frankfurt, Chicago and New York bother me. Need to transport over long distances , and Lord knows, if you're in the wrong despite abundant markings, you can get to your flight on time. In Heathrow I can live and won't miss anything. Food, effects, entertainment,  contacts with the world, everything is in the right place. From the basement the metro leads me to any desired point in London. I can walk to dark around the squares, palaces, galleries and gardens. At the last minute, leaping into the subway, grab my bag from the closet, send e-mail to meet me and relax tired bones in the sit of the plane. Maybe it is a matter of insufficient information and preferences.

The biggest "airport" of the world is the State of Brazil and the largest "airplane" is the capital-Brazil. This is Brazilian great miracle. To build a capital city in the middle of the jungle, far away from any civilization, hitting her with a huge pond and to design the plan of the city as the silhouette of an airplane... If you don't know in advance and not looking before landing, you miss your only chance to see from the air the city-plane, landed on the airport-State. The central body of the "plane"-fuselage is consists of two avenues, with as few lanes in opposite directions, separated with a wide lawn. On both sides are all ministries buildings, major State and city institutions, theater, stadium and cathedrals. The nose of the "plane" are the buildings of the Presidency and the Parliament, and the tail-less updated replica of the Indian Temple of the tribe inhabited this place. At the sides of them is a beautiful modern Cathedral.

          In the middle is the Memorial of the Brazilian President Kubček, whose courage and ambition, managed to settle in the heart of the jungle around six hundred thousand people and to move there all the international diplomacy public administration.

             On both sides of the fuselage, on the wings are located hotels-from the left and the residential buildings-from the right. The area is huge, all buildings have a modern architecture, surrounded by tropical foliage and fountains. The city could tripled, because many land waiting for their future settlers. Maybe then the view from the air will be much sharper and larger than life.

Now airlines are struggling by the financial crisis, but there were years when the passengers looked far better. Then, if the flight is delayed or the stay between flights, included in the ticket price of a company's longer, passengers slept in a hotel and were feeding in the restaurant free of charge. I don't know about others, but the Bulgarians, who were flying to Africa immediately used this opportunity. So their stay in Rome was becoming longer and less expensive. What to do when you work as any and you get double the less for your work.

The things are different  now. On return from Rio de Janeiro we landed in Miami. A long plane was shaking while crossing the dense cloud diaper to reached open horizons. The track proved to be a real lake and the wheels sprinkled the fountains in all directions. The airport was wearing all the scars of recent flooding. On the floors and benches were sleeping people, embraced the familiar small air cushions and blankets. Others already waited long and thick tails for revalidation of their tickets. This daily routine no longer surprised Boardwalk passengers.

These days a little April late hurricane close for twenty-four hours the airport in Denver, Colorado.The television showed us  unhappy faces of a small group of students who were on vacation. Before departure they have spent all their money. It's just that long not flown. The average body weight of Americans is ninety pounds, let's them become more elegant... Sounds ominous, I take it all back.
 

To talk to Kennedy airport, then to describe the city. Three or four times before I dares be landing there and leave the planes at various locations. Only perfect markings and good organization are rescued in this huge space. Do you remember the movie "Airport" with Tom Hang? This is a modern large airport. You can make your live  there without him leaving.

Recently, I was in China and Dubai and saw a new generation of airports. What can  do the contemporary architecture? In 2008 China floored the Olympians with a huge modern and beautiful airport, whose steel construction  high "to the sky” was completed with Chinese diligence and aesthetics. ? How the technique on 21st century free the hands of builders and allows them the realization of so bold ideas For me was a real joy to see that creation of international efforts, a lot of money and ambition. Not to mention the huge outdoor areas, although we landed during the day, not at all I saw where they begin and end. Everything that made the Chinese for the Olympics, it was appropriate, beautiful and well done.

Dubai – what do you expect from the country that have build Burj  hotel?... Oriental swoop, glitter and plenty, filled by builders who have been overgrown their continent. There's no reason to go on, there was everything from it, sometimes a little sweaty, sometimes wonderful and unique. Photos will still leave to speak.

 The New Delhi airport remained clouded in obscurity for us because we landed and flew off in the dark. We only though how they managed to adapt the international vision of airport towards Indian culture? This is manifested in the small details, as it becomes clear to us now that we are in India. With a few pictures will be clear, what I have in mind.

The penultimate flight for me in 2012 year was up to Bulgaria. On my way to Sofia I had to stop in Budapest. Hungarians  have nice airport, because they follow the traditions  of the beautiful old Budapest. After Wien it was the best in Austro-Hungarian State. Even before 100 years the builders meant to make their city of the future, because have watched with 300 years ahead. The few times I've been there and always be happy..

Do you think  I will finish with a few words about the new Bulgarian airport? No, wait for it to finish and then we will talk. I will say, however, that the Hungarians with capital and their new airport are still far ahead of us.  Here are many other things to take my hat off to them.  If we do race and run against each other, whether we will reach them and, if not, what prevents us from?