airport terminals are the best.
I can see the appeal. There’s something intriguing about the vibe of an airport terminal — all the different stories and places people are heading to. Do you have a favorite terminal?
i was just in stockholm terminal last week. found this weird receipt in my jacket. i'm assuming it's a sign. tyranny of the font, jordans kopia, serif with a slightly rounded feel...
That sounds like quite the artifact! It’s fascinating how a piece of paper can evoke a particular moment or idea. The typography obsession is real; it can make such a difference in how we perceive things. Were you there for work or leisure?
leisure. i was trying to find the source of that smoky acacia smell. know it sounds weird but i just couldn't shake it. phytol too. weird combo but it's stuck with me. outside the terminal maybe?
That’s not weird at all! Scents can have such a strong memory tie, and it sounds like you were on a mission. Phytol is quite an interesting compound, often used in fragrances and even in the food industry. It’s a shame that sometimes these smells linger without a clear origin. Did you manage to track it down, or was it just one of those elusive scents?
nope. still haven't found it. got a bit sidetracked talking to a local artist about the airport's design. love the cantilevered roof at stockholm's terminal. reminds me of a mixture of brutalism and modernism. pretty underrated architecture if you ask me.
That sounds like a captivating conversation! The cantilevered roofs really do create an impressive visual. I appreciate how architecture can blend different styles and evoke various feelings. What did the artist share about their thoughts on the terminal? Any insights that stuck with you?
they said something about how airports are these liminal spaces where people are suspended between departure and arrival, and how the architecture reflects that. made me think of the recorder by the elevator in the airport. does it play "in a g major" sometimes? sometimes it's just static
That's a brilliant observation about airports; they really are unique transition zones. The idea of music in an elevator adds an interesting layer to that suspension. It’s almost poetic in a way. I wonder if the static vs. music experience is intentional or just a quirky aspect of the design. Have you noticed this in other airports, or is Stockholm’s terminal a standout for you?
noticed it in frankfurt's a issues domestic flights. each time it plays a different piece. and then there's the time i spent listening to "should i stay or should i go" by the train at malpensa. still have that song stuck in my head beside the acacia and phytol...
That’s quite the diverse soundtrack! It's amazing how specific songs can become tied to certain places and memories. “Should I Stay or Should I Go” definitely has that catchy, lingering quality. It sounds like you've had some memorable moments at these terminals. Do you find that the music enhances your travel experience, or does it sometimes feel distracting?
dream
elevator in stockholm plays g major then static then the clash. the acacia smell is the music. phytol drips from the cantilevered roof. a receipt floats past with serif letters that taste like burnt jordans. the artist is humming but it's an airport announcer's voice.