An out-of-order post. Though you’re seeing this after I’ve “escaped,”** I’m writing it at 3:45 a.m. in the sleepless hours before my flight from the U.S. I’m at a friend’s house in the big city, connected to a network one of their zillions of neighbors left handily unsecured.<\/p>\n
—–<\/p>\n
I’m still excited about my trip, but I’ve been struck by pre-flight paranoia.<\/p>\n
It started yesterday as I packed. Deciding to take tea along, I slipped some regular old Lipton, then a few Earl Greys into a baggie. Finally, I tossed in a couple packets of my favorite treat-tea, the lovely stuff I drink when I’m feeling indulgent. As I was about to pop all that into a corner of a carry-on, I looked at the brand name on the treat packets: Ahmad English #1. <\/p>\n
Ahmad<\/i> I thought. Sounds Arabic.<\/i> And I turned the packets around so the brand name wouldn’t show.<\/p>\n
Paranoid? Yep, completely. The only question is: Whose paranoia?<\/i> Mine or the TSAs?<\/p>\n
Then last night before bedtime, I read this oh-so-very-heartening article<\/a> on the realities of The New Security (post-crotch-bomber). And now, while I still feel brave about this morning’s flight, since my subversive Arab-sounding tea is concealed, I dread the return.<\/p>\n And with the mention of so many passengers’ hands and belongings being swapped for alleged “traces of explosives,” I recall the Guildford Four and the Maguire Seven<\/a>. I know that things as non-boomacious as playing cards, plastic wrappers, and ordinary household cleaning products can test positive … and then what?<\/p>\n And as many as four out of five passengers selected for “special” screening in some places? How very special is that?<\/p>\n I wonder what awaits when I must return to the Land of the Formerly Free?<\/p>\n —–<\/p>\n I hoped to keep the travel posts as chronological as possible. But realizing I might not even find an Internet cafe, let alone a conveniently unsecured wifi, network in the first week of travel, I hope you won’t mind one or two out of place. And I hope you won’t mind if I’m not completely coherent. Haven’t had my “terrorist tea” or any other caffeine injection yet this morning …<\/p>\n