When I look at JetPhotos and see people posting a photo of a special livery of Alaska Airlines, it reminds me of the very beginning when I started being so interested in aviation. The photo just gave me a special feeling. The lighting is so different from what I have seen in Hong Kong. The photo is so clear. It feels like the air in the Western world is so fresh, so good, and the world is so big.

That makes me want to explore the world of aviation, as if it is the only way for me to connect to the world—what we call broadening the horizon. It’s been more than 15 years. That passion has gone up and down, being hit so hard by reality.

I am jealous of people who can be pilots. But I know my interest is so niche, and I don’t actually like flying. That’s so weird. I may actually not even be very interested in fixing an aircraft. I just enjoy taking pictures of them, knowing different types of them, and telling the subtle differences between each of them.

Sometimes I just feel my hobby is so inferior compared to people who have bigger roles in the industry, while I just don’t know what I am doing day to day, though still floating in the industry. But this photo just reminds me of that old feeling—nothing deep, nothing too complicated—just the excitement and eagerness to know about the other side of the world, as if I am literally able to connect to the world, at least for a moment.

It’s too hard to share the same feeling with others. After all, I realize it may be my condition that makes me have that special restricted interest.

https://www.jetphotos.com/photo/11965444#