Look around any airport. Waiting travelers' heads are bent with eyes glued to little electronic handheld devices while fingers tap like the hundred feet of a centipede marching with purpose. Whether it’s online media being gawked at and commented on, it's a case of scrolling through anything to occupy mind space instead of numbingly sitting on a hard, rarely soft, seat in an airport lounge. Some wear headphones to control the visceral experience of an airport, totally disassociating with the world around them. They could be locked in a vault of their own making. As a person who loves airports and people-watching, I find it fascinating that there's no interaction between waiting souls, even when traveling with other people. Where's the fun in that? You are going on holiday, and it should be a time of chatter, of anticipation of where you are going and will be doing—it's almost panty-wetting time in excitement.
Whatever happened to being sociable with your fellow travel companions. This occurrence is usually reserved for the airport's bar, where happy travelers drink a few alcoholic beverages before a flight. Or, if you want to avoid the bar scene (traveling with kids would be one reason why, but I am not sure of many others), where are the animated faces lined up in school class seating formation? Yes, a good book will cut it for some, but if you are in the company of others, would you be so rude as to ignore the other person and put your head in a book to read?
The art of being sociable while in an airport holding pattern can be found in playing a game rather than on your mobile screen. It's time to go back to basics and actually interact with the person or persons you are running away with. Below are five of the best I've found to put in your hand luggage or backpack without taking up a lot of space—games are also suitable for those unplanned rainy days, laid-back afternoons under a palm tree, or if you get tired of listening to your partner sprouting rubbish for the sake of talking.
Skull
A game of bluff similar to poker but a picture version where luck, memory, and skill come into play. A fast moving game that’s also known as Skull and Roses, it will take roughly 30 minutes to play.
Size & Weight: 2.1 x 5.2 x 5.2 inches, 1.01 pounds
Monopoly Deal
Relive your younger years of throwing the board in anger with this travel version of Monopoly that lets you play the uber-rich property tycoon and be a rapacious git to your tenants. An iconic board game turned into an excellent travel companion, you can build an empire, strategize, and con your way to win in 15 minutes—not hours as the old board game version can take.
Size & Weight: 0.8 x 3.6 x 5.6 inches, 4 ounces
Sushi Go
This card game will leave you drooling if you love sushi as you get to build your own heavenly plate of sushi complete with wasabi and desert. A hilarious game of chance that usually only takes about 15 minutes to win—or lose. This is a good family game if your kids are 8 and older.
Size & Weight: 4.2 x 5.8 x 1.5 inches, 8.5 ounces
Bananagrams
Perfect for selfish Scrabble wordsmiths, Bananagrams is when you get to make your own grid to create words. There's no central board, and you don't need to know big words. Really quick to play a round; it's a great antidote for boredom that keeps the brain cells buzzing.
Size & Weight: 9 x 3 x 3 inches, 4.8 ounces
Cards Against Humanity
It's an adults-only game that will have you snorting with laughter. It should only be played where others around you cannot hear what you say, as it's politically incorrect. Totally hilarious; the game is uber wicked and, most times, derogatory—definitely for those with a sense of sick humor and depravity. You will either find it the best game ever or be totally offended by it—there's no in-between.
Size & Weight: 7 x 4.1 x 2.7 inches, 2.25 pounds
Standard Card Deck
If none of the above appeal, always ensure you have a standard deck of cards in your hand luggage—this is super old-school but what travelers would always have on hand before the tech craze. There are plenty of options to entertain with a hand of Gin Rummy, Cheat, Poker, Fish—the list is endless. Pack good quality playing cards that won’t get stuck to a sticky bar top or a wet poolside table.
The above cards can be bought online or in some bookshops catering to travelers’ needs.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
