These travellers are going the extra mile this holiday season to be with loved ones
CBC
For some, the holiday season means packing their bags to spend time with loved ones, some of whom are half a world away.
The St. John’s International Airport, located in the city’s east end, was busy on Christmas Eve as people were arriving at their destination and catching flights.
Curtis Collier, who landed at the airport in the morning, said he’s looking forward to his mother’s home cooked meals and having turkey dinner on Christmas Day.
He added his mother’s family has Polish-Ukrainian roots so she makes perogies and cabbage rolls on Christmas Eve.
“It feels great to be home, I haven’t been here since October so I’m very much looking forward to seeing my family and friends,” Collier told CBC News.
Marion and Dave Osborne were at the airport to catch a flight to Halifax so they could join their daughter and grandchildren for the holidays.
She said the grandchildren are “very, very excited” to see them, with Dave Osborne adding when they visited in October “the first words they asked — ‘You’re coming back for Christmas?’ So that would give you an indication.”
She said it is a relief that the weather was clear too, so there would be no travel delays.
“I was so upset, thinking I wasn’t going to get there. It would have ruined our Christmas.”
Martin O’Driscoll was at the airport to begin the first leg of his journey that will bring him to Rome, where he will be visiting his brother’s family.
He’s looking forward to seeing his young niece and nephew, adding he saw them in Paris last year.
“They’re so happy to see me. I’m so happy to see them. It brings joy to my life,” said O’Driscoll.
It was also “fantastic” to start the first leg of his long journey on time with no delays, he said.
“As you know about Newfoundland weather, it’s unpredictable. So I’ve been the victim of several cancellations and postponements,” said O’Driscoll.
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