Around the World in 80 Days it isn't.
But a Coquitlam woman may well meet people from around the world if she wins a contest offering the dubious prize of an 80-day layover at Vancouver International Airport.
Marelle Reid, a 29-year-old freelance journalist from Coquitlam's Ranch Park neighbourhood, has been picked as one of five finalists for the Live@YVR contest, in which 96 participants showed off their video-making skills for the chance to spend 80 days and 80 nights as a live-in airport reporter.
The contest is part of YVR's 80th anniversary celebration.
Before Aug. 5, British Columbians can log on to liveatyvr.ca as often as once a day to pick their favourite video from the five finalists. Then, on Aug. 17, the winner will be voted onto Sea Island, where they will make videos, take pictures and write online stories about life at the airport and Sea Island.
"It's great because you get to tell the million and two stories going on out at the airport every day," Reid told The Tri-City News on Monday. "I would really like to find out what happens to the confiscated drugs and contraband material and a big issue is people getting scanned - I'd love to talk to people about how they feel about the frisking and body scans."
And while Sea Island isn't exactly an resort, the contest winner will sleep all 80 nights at the plush YVR Fairmont Hotel, eat at any of the 50-plus terminal eateries and will have as much access to the airport and staff as safety and security guidelines can allow.
YVR spokesperson Rebecca Catley said the contest was partly inspired by the volume of requests the airport gets from people curious about what goes on behind-the-scenes at YVR.
Because most travellers only ever see the departure and return gates, some might be surprised to learn that the airport also boasts a thrift shop selling lost and confiscated carry-on items, an aquarium and wildlife preservation program, a lifeguard and hovercraft station, and a bird-control program that employs trained falcons to "keep the feathered birds away from the steel birds," Catley said.
Reid said she's excited about the prospect of spending almost a quarter of the year at an airport and is hoping Tri-City residents will get behind her on it.
"Every vote counts," she added.
