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FFF: Four Meditation Techniques for Travelers

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Traveling can be unpredictable, whether it’s getting to the airport, shuffling through security or preparing for takeoff. Meditation can help reduce the anxiety and stress of your next journey. Here are some meditation techniques to help you breathe easier during your next trip!

Mantra

Meditation is about mindfulness-being aware of ourselves. Before you leave your home and begin your adventure, take time for yourself. Create a personal mantra – a tool for thought that will help you cope with what’s ahead. Close your eyes and begin to inhale slowly. While inhaling, repeat your mantra silently in your head, perhaps saying, ‘I am calm,’ and exhale slowly. Repeat the process a few times while breathing through your nostrils.

En Route

Meditation may be your answer to flying in peace. Imagine a smooth and easy airport experience: a short line at security, walking to the gate at your own pace and calmly boarding the plane. Your anxiety and fears will decrease if you practice a positive mindset.

Walk it Out!

Whether in security, walking to your gate or on a long flight-it’s important to bust a move. Stand up and get your joints moving. Breathe deeply with each step, focus on the movement of your heel, then toe, hitting the ground with ease.

In & Out

A key part of meditation is breathing. Conduct deep diaphragmatic breathing for a count of five. Breathe out as if you are blowing out a candle, this will trigger your parasympathetic nervous system, and calm your anxiety.

So, breathe deep and think happy thoughts on your next adventure!

Till next time,

The Terminal

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New at GSP: valet parking!

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Traveling can be hectic as you rush to make your flight on time. One goal GSP and the WINGSPAN project strive to achieve is to make traveling easier for you. Now we offer valet parking! With valet parking, travelers can arrive at the airport with ease knowing that they have a guaranteed parking spot that will not take up any extra time to find. Another perk is valet parking is curbside so you will have a short walk to the terminal. Valet parking operates near the daily parking entrance, and costs $16 a day.

We are excited for these new features and feel that it’ll enhance the experience of our travelers!

Until next time,

The Terminal

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Meet the artist: Dimitar Lukanov

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GSP installed its latest masterpiece called Waterfall of Light. This large sculpture sits inside a water fountain located near the ticket counters and the new conference center. Waterfall of Light was created by New York Artist, Dimitar Lukanov.

It stands 19 feet tall and is made up of 250 light-filled filigree steel elements and 300 feet of bent steel tubing. Lukanov says the sculpture is a symbol of a visual crossroad. People from different places travel all over the world but airports are where they meet. This art piece is a reflection of that.  The sculpture is called Waterfall of Light because the steel in the sculpture symbolizes a never-ending gesture of movement and wellspring of life. The sculpture also encompasses a symbol of growth, renewal and continuum. This sculpture was uniquely designed as an authentic drawing in the air, using no technology to extrapolate the sculpture’s development.

Dimitar Lukanov is from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and studied art in Paris and New York, receiving his MFA from Columbia University. He is the recipient of several grants and was commissioned by JFK International Airport in 2006 to create a sculpture for the Arrivals Hall of terminal four. The JFK airport enjoyed his sculpture so much, it commissioned him once more to create an additional three monumental sculptures. He is a member of the Chile Association of Painters and Sculptors and has been in numerous solo and group exhibitions in New York City, Paris, Moscow, Miami, Mexico City, Milan and more.

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Coming soon: Another touch of the Upstate at GSP!

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As part of the WINGSPAN’s $125 million renovation program, GSP is adding another touch of the Upstate, Palmetto Distillery. Set to open this summer, Palmetto Distillery was founded by two brothers and entrepreneurs from Anderson, South Carolina. Born and raised in the South, Trey and Brian Boggs were inspired by their own heritage, which in turn inspired them to create Palmetto Distillery, South Carolina’s first legal moonshine distillery.

Their mission is to honor the heritage of South Carolina’s liquor production by creating a whiskey of unparalleled taste and quality. On the website, the brothers say, “We take pride in creating products that showcase the colorful history of the Palmetto State and the deep connection our brands have to South Carolina.”

GSP has a deep connection to its South Carolina home, so this couldn’t be a more perfect fit! Going to visit an out-of-town friend? Bring them a little taste of the South!

Until next time,

The Terminal

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Update on restaurants

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WINGSPAN renovations will soon come to an end and we are getting excited for the new delicious food options included in the renovations. You may have noticed that some restaurants have been serving our travelers for some time now, and they each have something special about them. We’ve compiled a list of food options currently open and set to open after WINGSPAN renovations are complete.

Currently open:

Dunkin’ Donuts

Located in baggage claim and the Grand Hall, DD has more than 3,100 stores in 30 countries outside of the U.S., and has been serving customers internationally for over 40 years. In 1948, William Rosenberg and Stephen So opened their first restaurant, Open Kettle, in Quincy, Massachusetts before renaming it Dunkin’ Donuts in 1950. It is an American global doughnut company and coffeehouse chain now based in Canton, Massachusetts.

Thomas Creek Grill

A Greenville-founded brewery, Thomas Creek became the name of one of the first restaurants to open during WINGSPAN in 2015. The restaurant is located in Concourse A, facing Greenville, its hometown’s side of the airport. Some menu items pay homage to the South and boy are they yummy! Flying through GSP in the morning? They serve a mean breakfast as well!

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RJ Rockers Flight Room

Just like the City of Spartanburg, RJ Rockers Flight Room is located on the north end of the airport, in Concourse B.  A Spartanburg-founded brewery, RJ Rockers will quench your thirst with one of their tasty brews and pair it with an appetizer!

Flatwood Grill

This Grill was established in honor of the Flatwood community, a small town where GSP now resides. The inside walls of the restaurant are lined with pictures of residents of the Flatwood community including the baseball team, the Flatwood Peaches. With breakfast served all day and a range of American fare, Flatwood Grill is sure to become a traveler favorite!

Hudson

Hudson is not necessarily a restaurant, but you can still grab a tasty snack along with a good read, or a comfy pillow at one of the four locations in the airport.

Coming soon:

The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck

Puck’s concepts are known to use quality, local ingredients, inventive techniques and approachability. Located in GSP’s Grand Hall, The Kitchen will feature a full-service restaurant, bar and to-go counter.

DC-3

Known as Washington DC’s all-American hot dog joint, DC-3 is coming to GSP in the Grand Hall between concourses A and B. Not only do they sell out of world hotdogs, but also breakfast menu items that include a breakfast croissant, a breakfast dog and more.

Chick-fil-a

Need we say more? This Southern, and now nationwide chain, has had people “Eat Mor Chikin” since 1946 and now has more than 2,000 restaurants in the United States, and one in Canada.  And they’ll soon have one at GSP!

Needless to say, we are beyond excited for these new restaurants set to open this summer and are already in love with the ones operating today. What’s your favorite restaurant at GSP?

Until next time,

The Terminal

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FFF: The Most Treacherous Hikes in the World

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Watch your step! Not only are these hikes around the world jaw-dropping, but incredibly risky. For the outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy intense weather, perilous wildlife and remote locations—travel experts Atlas & Boots have compiled a list of the riskiest hikes around the world, that we believe are pretty interesting!

Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala

Everyone loves a good molten lava cake, but at Pacaya Volcaneo, this lava is actively erupting. Since 1965, the volcano has brutally derailed hikers from hiking to the top of the mountain. Pro Tip: Go at night so you can spot the lava flow easily.

Mount Hua Shan, China

This hike is a game of chutes and ladders, without a safety net.  Located in the Western Mountain of the Five Great Mountains of China, this sacred site is known for taking lives, about 100 a year experts say. The trail encompasses vertical ascents, falling wooden platforms and steep stairways.

The Maze, USA

Famously known as the site where hiker Aron Ralston spent 127 hours trapped in the Canyonlands National Park in Utah, The Maze is a sight to behold. But, don’t bother bringing your GPS, there is no signal in canyons. Be sure to pack a life jacket as flash floods are a regular occurrence.

So, be safe before you book your next adventure to these locations or anywhere around the globe! For more information on how to make your next trip unforgettable, visit Atlas & Boots.

Until next time,

The Terminal

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GSP’s Community Garden

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A new and exciting project is bringing healthy, fresh, local produce to GSP Airport.

GSP partnered with Delta Airlines, American Airlines and the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) to plant a community garden that will grow seasonal produce for employees and the community. For the garden’s first planting, garden volunteers planted lettuce, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, carrots, onions, radishes and herbs!

The garden “will provide an opportunity for airport district and airport tenant employees to work collaboratively to plant and grow food and thereby encourage healthy behavior,” said Rosylin Weston, Vice President of communications for the airport district.

What is grown from the community garden could potentially be used in dishes created and served at the airport’s restaurants. And eventually the garden can serve as a tool for community partnerships with local food banks and other food groups within the community.

Check out the 4-by-12-foot raised beds off GSP Drive next to the Facilities Administration the next time you fly GSP! Read more about our community gardens here, and be sure to stay tuned on social media!

Until next time,

The Terminal

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FFF: Ways to be an eco-friendly traveler

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GSP has implemented sustainable practices such as, rain water harvesting, the use of solar hot water, day-lighting systems and more. But we understand that sometimes it can be tough to stay true to the environment in a world full of top-notch accommodations that are not always eco-friendly. Below are small ways you can be eco-friendly while traveling.

  1. Take a reusable water bottle

According to the Pacific Institute, the oil used in the production of plastic water bottles are enough energy to fuel more than a million cars and light trucks for a year. So, instead of turning to a plastic water bottle or to-go cup, consider travelling with a reusable water bottle that you can wash out when needed.

  1. Choose E-Tickets instead of paper

Save a tree and choose to pull up your ticket on your smart device. This is a simple way to save paper and avoid a chance of misplacing your paper ticket.

  1. Put your laptop to sleep

This is a win-win way to save your laptop’s battery life and save some energy for the earth!

There are several other ways to keep the earth’s wellness in mind while traveling, and you can check them out here!

Until next time,

The Terminal

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American Airlines adds three flights at GSP!

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One of WINGSPAN’S core goals is to increase capacity and efficiency for GSP customers. With WINGSPAN renovations coming to an end soon, we are already starting to see an increase in capacity with the addition of three American Airline flights between Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Beginning July 5, the airline will depart GSP for non-stop service to Chicago at 8:10 a.m., 10:05 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. Currently, United Airlines provides six non-stop flights from GSP to O’Hare at various times and days. The added routes to Chicago brings the number of daily departures from GSP to around 50.

“It opens up the rest of the American network to Upstate travelers,” said Rosylin Westin, Vice President of Communications relations at GSP. “It will give them the opportunity to connect with international flights like London-Heathrow and Madrid, as well as flights in the continental United States. People talk about growth and think it only means the airport is growing if there is an announcement of a new airline coming in,” Westin said. “But that growth can also mean an existing airline beefing up its current service.”

We are excited about this airline expansion and future growth at GSP!

 

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FFF: Healthy TSA Approved Snacks

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Source: Travel Channel

Traveling with snacks through TSA can be tricky! It’s tough to save money and eat healthy at airports. So our friends at the Travel Channel have compiled a list of tricks and treats to make your own healthy, TSA approved snacks!

Don’t Forget 3-1-1!

All savvy travelers know the 3-1-1 rule! Better recognized as the 3-1-1 liquids rule, the TSA limited travel sized containers to 3.4 ounces or less. Any containers carrying more than 3.4 ounces of liquid should be packed in a carry on. However, a wide-mouth mason jar is the perfect container to carry some nibbles for a long flight.

Forget Rubbish – Choose Hummus

Nutritious and tasty, hummus is the superfood of dips! To bring the zesty dip on your next trip, you will need a wide-mouth mason jar and a plastic applesauce container. Fill up the bottom of your mason jar with your veggies of choice; say, carrots and celery. On top of your veggies, place the applesauce container, filled with hummus, directly on top of your veggies. Screw on the lid of your mason jar and you are set!

An Apple a Day Keeps Poor Weather at Bay

Who doesn’t love a crisp apple? A great source of essential nutrients, a crunchy apple is a must for any traveler. To keep your apple fresh and easy to eat, cut the apple into six pieces. Then, hold the apple together and wrap a rubber band around the fruit to keep it fresh. Place the apple in a Ziploc bag, with a travel sized pack of peanut butter and you are ready!

For more tips and tricks on TSA-Approved Snacks for travelers, visit the Travel Channel!

Until next time,

The Terminal