Jaunted

Logan International, Boston..or any other.

 Most layover plans include visiting an airport lounge, club, store or restaurant. An extension of this is the listing or information generously supplied of many establishments and locations of a city that would be close to the airport or in very close proximity. Of course there is the ho hum boat, train, bus tour, trip to the market or shopping.  These would be considered tourist traps and most of the time will give you little difference in experience between city A and city B. When you mention you had a layover in a city to a friend upon you return home or to work it would be nice to be able to tell them something about it. The experience should not be primarily about something they can read about on the city's website or in a travel guide. What makes city A and city B different are the people. Average everyday people are your best resource to learn about a city. From there you learn the food, pace, significance, individuality and soul of a city.

So no matter where your layover is ask some sure fire local around the airport where the people are. A security guard, maintenance person and if necessary your cab driver. These people would all be locals. Tell them you do not want to go to a tourist trap as they probably will insist. Ask them to take you to or tell you about a safe place nearby that has lots of people. Once there, find a place to look ordinary and observe what people are doing. If the moment is right ask a few locals about the city, events, food, it's people. You will definately get a better sense of the city and learn vast amounts more than ever can be learned by any brochure or tour. More important, your experiences can be shared back home with a personalization that will not be matched by any other means. It is hard to predict the location in the city, the event, the food or person you will encounter...but that just may be the best part of the city after all.