Layover Blogging

Well the traveling adventure has already started and I am already blogging. Currently in Denver, CO, I am waiting for my flight to Columbus, OH- still a couple of hours away. If you’ve never been to this airport- then you may have a difficult time imagining a context for the story I am about to tell. I’ll do my best to describe.

Denver’s airport is a main hub for United Airlines. And by main I mean that there are 95 different United Airlines gates. Getting from Gate B19 (where my flight from the Bay Area arrived) all the way to B48 (where my flight to Columbus takes off) is a workout when you consider that my carryon bags weigh as much as a nine year old child. Breathlessly, at gate 36, I discover there is a Hudson Booksellers store. Savior. Just a little rest will do. I huff my way into Hudson’s for a reprieve.

As I enter the store wearing my fancy Barack Obama hoodie, I head to the section prominently displayed at the front of the story labeled as “Current Affairs.” I see biographies of the Bin Laden family, I see T. Boone Picken’s appeal for his new energy ideals. But nowhere, not even after the third time I reviewed every book in the section, was “The Audacity of Hope” by Barack Obama available. You see, I figured I should read the book consider my new line of work. But no. The littlest bookstore in the not so littlest of Denver, CO airports declined to carry a copy of the novel. They did, however, have a copy of “The Case Against Barack Obama.” Uh Oh. I swallowed my rage and fear that I would be mobbed in my favorite hoodie at any moment.

The airport Hudson Booksellers

As I turned to the counter to inquire about the dilemma, I suddenly realize that the entire wall behind the cashier’s desk is split into two sections- those books about Sarah Palin and John McCain, and those about Obama/Biden. All of a sudden the skies open and the choir sings a note in perfect harmony. I grabbed my nine-year-old-child of a carryon and headed to the counter.

Two young ladies happened to be hosting Hudson Booksellers cashier responsibilities today. One, a young latina- the other, a young African-American woman. I confidently asked the former to grab me a copy of the book, relieved that I was not finding myself in an Obama-hating territory already on this trip. She smiled excitedly and retrieved me a copy. “Can you throw in a copy of Joe Biden’s book ‘Promises to Keep’ as well?” I ask. She smiles again. Then she notices my sweatshirt.

The two girls no longer attempt professionalism and let it out that that they are SO excited to vote for the first time this year. The Latina even slips and calls Sarah Palin a b*tch. The young black woman shared that she is joining a bunch of her classmates to march from school to the voting booth when early voting starts here in Denver. I shared with them that I was currently headed to Ohio to help him win the election and it was an insta-bonding moment full of giggles and excitement among us. The Latina whispers to me “For every one McCain book we sell, there are 8 Obama’s that come off the shelf!”

I must say that beyond the obvious excitement of a united front of three different different cultural backgrounds sharing an idea, I was excited that it was three women who were giggling together. Three YOUNG women. And this is why I love Barack Obama. He inspires young people to get involved. To care. To want to have their voices heard.

I can’t wait to have so many more of these moments over the next few weeks. And I’m not even in Ohio yet!

With a sign of relief and a high five from each gal, I head out on the long road to gate B48 again. I don’t make it though. I breathlessly take the escalator to the business lounge instead so that I can write this blog. Only 6 gates to go. Wish me luck!

Related posts:

1. 24 Hours in Ohio. I feel spoiled. I feel lucky. I feel fortunate. And...
2. I shook his hand. Yesterday was an incredible day here in Columbus. Barack Obama...
3. Two Weeks More. If you’re a musical theater junkie, you’ll understand the reference...
4. It’s like a virus. The good kind! So I was rummaging through Facebook today and found out...
5. My Birthday Blog I turned 25 yesterday. I am an official member of...