Killing Time at the Airport (Seattle, Denver, Narita and Doha Airports)

Stuck at the airport for your ten-hour layover? Or maybe your flight got delayed and you have lots of time to kill. No worries, your stay doesn't have to be a total bore. Keep yourself busy and pass time with a variety of activities around the airport.

I've stayed for particularly long periods of time at four different airports, particularly Denver International Airport (Denver, Colorado), Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Seattle, Washington), Narita International Airport (Narita, Japan), and Doha International Airport (Doha, Qatar). Quite the traveler, I know. I'd had to stay long hours at these airports and had to find things to amuse myself with.

First off, there's the traditional airport shopping. Airports have tons of retail shops where you can go in just to browse, or maybe do some last minute souvenir shopping. Be warned though that items at airport shops are usually a bit pricier than those you would find once you get to the city. In Seattle, I really liked Hudson News, which sells shirts, caps, snow globes, magazines, key chains, magnets and the like. For the bookworm, Sea-Tac Airport also has Borders and Hudson Booksellers. Other cool shops are World Passage Gifts, Crocs, and ExOfficio.

Aside from shopping, you can also grab a bite to eat as you wait for your flight. Airports will always have restaurants for the hungry traveler.

At the massive Denver International Airport, just walking around and seeing all it has to offer will pass you a great deal of time. It has lots of restaurants and shops like Auntie Anne's Pretzels, Burger King (open 24 hours), Colorado Sports Bar and Deli, Timberline Steakhouse, Peak Concepts Gifts, Body Shop, and so on. There's also that massage you can get to rest and relax your tired body.

Speaking of rest and relaxation, sleeping is also an option. Snuggle up on a seat and catch some zzz's, but do not miss that flight!

At the Narita International Airport, one definitely has to try out those toilets. You get in the stall for your regular just-before-boarding pee stop and, lo and behold, there are buttons to operate the equipment. What equipment, you ask. They have - get this - something that sprays water on your butt for a wash with the push of a button. There's a button for turning on the butt-washing thingy, a button to stop it, a button to blow warm air and dry your rear, and buttons to adjust water pressure and position. The Japanese think of everything.

When I was at the Doha International Airport, I killed time doing three things: going online and chatting up all my friends while messing around on Facebook, sleeping, and meeting new friends. It's always interesting to hear about other people's stories from places all over the world. You never know, it could mean your next travel destination.

Happy flying, and happy waiting at the airport!

Sources:
"Food and Drinks." Denver International Airport.
"Sea-Tac Airports: Stores." Port of Seattle.