The View from Here

The little boy sits on a gargantuan chair. It is a huge display to show the craftsmanship of the maker. The chair presides over the airport food court. Parents have been lifting children over their heads, adjusting those children, then taking a few cautious steps back to snap some photos. Meanwhile, this boy claims the other half of the seat. He sits with his legs crossed, pointed off to the right, listening to music on headphones, and watching the crowds. He happily scans the faces that go by. He nods his head to the music in his ears. He moves his lips. He starts rapping, moving his tiny hand involuntarily along with the words. He is unfazed by his appearance in photos of other children, by those who have been posted beside him, then removed and placed safely back to the floor. He nods, he looks out, he is free and above it all.

–Atatürk Airport, Istanbul, Turkey