"To acquire knowledge one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe."
Marilyn Vos Savant
I always enjoy the drama associated with airports. Whether it is the huge international Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, or a regional airport like Manchester, NH, people are always on the go with some other destination always in mind.
All of this came back to me as I sat on a steel bench halfway between the myriad of concourses at Chicago's famous O'Hare Field. I was scheduled to be there for a layover of about two hours on my way from Pennsylvania to Missouri. A huge thunderstorm extended my Chicago time by another two hours.
With time on my hands, I decided to look around and take in with all five senses the impressions from everything that was going on around me: What did I hear, see, smell, feel and taste? I couldn't write fast enough.
The sounds: People speaking other languages. Voices announcing flight information. Garbage carts rolling. "Beep beep" of shuttles moving. Babies crying. Thunder booming. Rain pelting the windows. Teenagers laughing. Business people strategizing. Men and women walking. Old clocks chiming.
Those noises joined countless others and formed a kind of humming sound like I always imagined George Orwell had in mind for that futuristic day he anticipated when machines and their sounds would dominate the world in his classic novel 1984.
The sights: People moving slowly and people running. People with canes and wheelchairs and baby carriages. People which white faces and black faces and people with faces of every shade in between. People dressed up and people dressed down. People with shorts and long pants, burkas and turbans, scarfs, umbrellas and uniforms.
I saw plastic bags, carrying bags, purses, suitcases, briefcases and just about every kind of electronic gadget imaginable. Some were drinking coffee, carrying a water bottle or eating McDonald's French fries. Even the airport architecture and décor caught my eye.
The smells: Actually, as I focused on the smells, I realized there were not that many. Every now and then I got a whiff of coffee or a hamburger, or perfume/cologne.
But if you have ever been in a crowd of people at a baseball game or in a concert hall or even on an airplane, each group has its own distinct smell. I don't know if I could tell the difference with my eyes closed but the smell of people in the O'Hare Airport does have its unique aroma.
The feelings: Other than my own feelings, the only way I could sense the feelings of people around me was by the looks on their faces. The middle aged couple who sat next to me for about fifteen minutes seemed happy as they warmly visited together. On the other hand, little children seemed annoyed when parents insisted on holding their hands.
High anxiety seemed to dominate a number of people who glanced at the monitors as they ran past me. During the severe thunderstorm you could feel the disappointment for delayed flights and the fear as lightning struck nearby.
The taste: The only taste I could report came from the grapes and fresh peas I brought at the fresh produce kiosk. Of course, the skinny tall caramel macchiato from Starbucks had a flavor all its own, too.
I did see people eating pizza and ice cream and fruit and hamburgers, but I guess you would have to ask them how it tasted.
The time then came for me to board my plane and make my way to my final destination. How enriched our lives can be as we open our eyes to really experience all that is going on around us.
The next time you are in a doctor's office or waiting in traffic or just sitting on your back porch, stop. You may be surprised what you hear, see, smell, feel and taste.
Dr. Don Meyer is President of
Valley Forge Christian College, Phoenixville, PA
Responses can be emailed to president@vfcc.edu
Official page: Facebook.com/DrDonMeyer
Follow on Twitter: @DrDonMeyer
Archives at www.vfcc.edu/thinkaboutit
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.