by Jo Barnes –
The Victoria International Airport is a busy place where people come and go as daily flights arrive and depart. Travellers move with determination to make connections or wait anxiously for loved ones to arrive. Airports are places of joy and sadness, departures and reunions. Everyone has a story, and it’s here that we’ll be sharing some of them.
Lots of people work in order to fly; some fly in order to work.
Flight travel is an important air highway connecting loved ones who may be apart for periods of time due to job positions.
“He’s flying in from Ottawa. He’s a commercial developer there and is in charge of the refurbishment of Parliament House,” says Tammy Ellis.
It’s easy to understand the pride in this woman’s voice. This project that her husband is coordinating is significant, especially given that this year marks Canada’s 150th anniversary. “I’m going out there on the 29th. I’ll get to spend Canada Day in Ottawa; it’s a major day!” she says.
Soon her husband Bruce Carter arrives at the gate and there are smiles all around.
Yes, work can mean travel. One fellow wearing a VIH Helicopters shirt sits quietly scanning the flight board. “He’s coming in from Port Hardy on this trip,” says Mark Junker. “We operate the Kamov Helicopters, and he’s the Russian gear box inspector for these aircraft.” Mark is waiting for Mikhail Rozchkin, who arrived in B.C. a week ago from St. Petersburg where the Kamovs are built. Periodic inspections of the gear boxes are required; hence Mikhail’s visit. “On Sunday he flies home. He’ll probably be back in about five weeks,” shares Mark.
It’s a 13-hour flight to Russia, a flight many might do only once. But for this very specialized mechanic, flying is very much daily life and vocation.
Time passes very slowly when you’re a child. Waiting for Santa can seem an eternity; counting the number of sleeps until your birthday arrives seems endless. There are definitely distractions at the airport: people talking on cell phones, overhead announcements, luggage rolling along. But when you’re six years old and waiting to see a parent who has been away, it’s hard to think about anything else.
“We’re waiting for my husband David,” shares Amanda Kaczowka, who sits, cell phone in hand, surrounded by her children.
In about a month’s time the whole family will be relocating to Cranbrook, so it’s a major change in everyone’s lives.
“He’s a land surveyor. We’re moving for his work,” says Amanda, adding: “We won’t be going until July after the kids have finished school.”
Wyatt is 10, Lincoln is seven, and Makenna is six. And, they do what we all do in the airport: try to find ways to bide our time. One reads a book, the other two wander about and chat energetically. “When is he coming?” asks Makenna, whose patience is beginning to wane.
Dad arrives minutes later through the gate. Wyatt, still holding his book, wraps his arms around his dad while brother and sister hover closely. After hugs all around, the family heads down the hallway.
You can almost hear a small voice ask “When will we get home?”
When you’re little, with little concept of time, you live in the moment. Dad may have finally arrived, but now you have to sit in the car and drive home. The travel experience starts early.
Waiting at the airport for someone to arrive isn’t always easy. Some feel excited or anxious, others maybe even bored. For some the minutes can’t tick by fast enough.
“I’m waiting for my half sister. She’s coming from Pond Inlet, Baffin Island,” shares Peter Taggart.
“She should be landing right now,” his wife Marion nods excitedly.
Now hearing the words Baffin Island which is in Nunavut, over 3,000 kilometres away, is impressive all on its own. But then Peter goes on to share that he only learned about the existence of his half sister, Elisapee Ootoova, three years ago. It’s a stunning revelation.
“The family contacted us through Facebook,” smiles Peter.
While he has visited Baffin Island once to meet her, this is Elisapee’s first visit to Victoria to meet the family here.
“This is our second meeting; it’s a very special night,” he says.
He’s been fairly calm to this point, but when asked what he looks forward to when she arrives, his excitement bubbles up to the surface.
“I’m looking forward to a big hug!” he exclaims.
Reunions come in all forms at the gate, and they’re all special in their own way. But for those who’ve recently discovered family connections, an embrace takes on a whole other level of meaning.
And witnessing this kind of reunion, well, words are inadequate. Perhaps the difficulty to see as this writer types is sufficient description.
