We have to think twice these days about walking to the end of our street, forget about traveling the world. We can however, reminisce. And dream. Here's a thread about some lovely afternoons spent near the San Francisco Airport.

There is something about a big international airport that is so fascinating - I think it is the awesome sense of possibility that it offers. The possibility of new destinations, the rekindling of old memories.

If the sheer arresting beauty of the 747 doesn't move you, nothing else will. SFO had two of my favorites. KLM - reminding me of one morning in 1999 when I fell in love with the 747 while transiting Amsterdam. And of course British Airways - the best livery of them all.

Another KLM. I love how they name their 787s after flowers. This one is Bougainvillea.

Virgin Atlantic from the land I once called home. Good old London. I wish I could go back there.

How about SAS from Copenhagen or Shamrock from Dublin?

"Air Frawns" to Paris Charles De Gaulle. I can't help but pronounce Air France in @papadimitriou's accent :D (cc: @lay_overs)

Lufthansa Four Five Five Super to Frankfurt. I'll usually tune into the ATC transmissions at this point. All arriving aircraft will be bombarded with "Caution wake turbulence, Super Airbus will depart parallel". Always elicits a chuckle.

Swiss 777 inbound from Zurich. My first flight ever was on the old Swissair. I'll never forget it - a story for another time perhaps. Also, what a beautiful plane the 777-300 ER is!

"Emirates Four One Papa Super" - A homecoming of sorts as I'm sure @tuxerman will agree. I can hear the inflight announcements in my head as I watch this pass by and I wish I was on board. Always.

The one piece of home that always eluded me at SFO. The beautiful Air India 777 LR. Thankfully my good friend @KudlaExpress was on hand to capture it.

Japan Air's flagship to Tokyo Haneda. As I watch this beautiful 777, my mind wanders. Japan is a country I would dearly love to visit. The land of the bullet train. This is where my two worlds collide - trains and planes.

Cousins from Seoul - Asiana and Korean (Am I the only one that calls it pepsi livery?). I'll stay away from the Boeing vs Airbus debate.

The A350 showing off its thrust reversers. Beautiful Cathay green. Hong Kong - another city I will someday visit. What about Singapore Changi - best airport in the world?

Let me end with a tip of the hat to the home airline at SFO - lest I be cursed by the Gods of the Friendly Skies :)