Andrew Schroeder

Although the time for this image has passed, I still feel that it is appropriate. This was earlier this week. Yes, this much snow falls in the middle of April. One of the things that I’ve learned here in Minnesota is that we’re always just one tiny step away from slipping back into the misery of winter. You could be out in the middle of July, 90 degree F heat, sweating your ass off when suddenly it hits you… before you know it everything will be returned to the winter. It is a strange feeling. I’m not certain it serves any purpose. The optimist in me hopes it is reminder of how fleeting even the most basic things can be… I won’t bother with lingering pessimist.

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Ankor Thom, Ankor Wat Complex, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Actually. Yes. I’m finally starting a new project.
Architecture that is the informal requirement of very formal, grand, epic architecture.

There is a Japanese zen tradition where visitors are invited to view the first snow fall. This winter, I was eagerly waiting to bring this tradition into my life in Minnesota. Unfortunately, it only snows when I leave the city. So far, I’ve watched the snow fall inside airports all over the Midwest. 8 hours watching thru the Milwaukee International Airport’s floor to ceiling plate glass windows was probably not the same feeling one would get when peering out of a shoji screen. Alas, it has to do.

Morning in Narita (1 of 2).jpg, originally uploaded by schro440.

More reflecting on airports. I may be in love with New Tokyo Airport Narita. If not in love, I definitely have a crush on the place. There is nothing really special about it. The terminals aren’t new, they weren’t designed by a current debutant star-architect like Rem Koolhaas. However, the place is captivating to a temporary-habitation freak like myself.

First, the airport is spotless. There is no trash. Anywhere. I think I found 1, solitary, stray leaf that someone dragged in. Less litter and more wabi-sabi in my opinion.

Everything is perfectly and meticulously organized. I think it might actually be impossible to be lost here.

The PA system plays the Beetles when the gate-agents are not profusely apologizing for being 10 minutes late in boarding the aircraft.

It is amazing.

HCMC, originally uploaded by schro440.

There is something incredibly liberating about being stuck in an airport for 12 hours on your way home. I spent a grand total of 12 full hours waiting for a flight inside of Tan Son Nhat Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Strange things happened to me there. I decided it was OK to pay $7 for half of a tuna salad sandwich. I also rekindled my love of being rootless, tied to no place, and being completely transitory. Thank you HCMC.