I may have started out traveling light but I didn’t come home that way. All the summer sales were just too tempting and my children were showered with gifts everywhere they went. The children and I were entitled to two bags of 50 lbs each for a grand total of six bags and 300 lbs – not including carry-ons. I checked five bags that weighed a total of 180 lbs. I was quite proud of my packing since the largest of my bags was 50 lbs on the dot and any overage would have cost me US$50 excess baggage fee for every bag over the limit – or caused me a mad scramble of rearranging contents in the airport.
(I have since learned that my husband’s employer would have reimbursed us for excess baggage charges – within reason – but I’d have had to have more than two hands or at least another adult traveling with me to handle any more!!!)
I did have to empty the contents of one of my carry-on bags at the security desk however. It’s funny what will spark their interest. The security inspector requested that I not reach for the bag once he started to remove items. I asked him what he was looking for and he said “cups”. I was momentarily stumped – and distracted as I tried to put my shoes back on and the shoes of the children while simultaneously tucking my laptop and video camera back in their respective places. Cups? I had empty water bottles in their bags. Nope, he was looking for cups.
Suddenly the penny dropped – he was looking for a couple of ceramic mugs I had tucked at the very bottom of my daughter’s carry-on bag. Apparently it wasn’t the mugs themselves that attracted interest but the items I had packed inside the mugs – two stone topped cork wine stoppers. I suppose they looked pointy in the x-ray and he thought they were possibly knives. I guess it was a good call to pack the deer antlers sheds my father found in the woods and gave the children in our checked baggage!
All that was after we’d nearly scared him to death. If you really want to get a security inspector’s attention pack a rubbery life like lizard in the top of your carry on. The big man shrieked like a girl when his hand came in contact with it.
I have to admit I didn’t get into Amsterdam on my way back through – in spite of a 10 hour gap. I was just too tired and brain dead after the previous 12 hours getting there. I regret it now, the time would have passed much faster than it did if I had been able to do it. Instead, I found a quiet corner and passed in and out of consciousness laying face down on a table while my children ran up and down and shrieked. I’m sure that people were shooting me dirty looks but that’s the advantage of laying face down – you can’t see them.
I’m currently suffering from some pretty bad jet lag. I feel okay during the day, I fall asleep at a reasonable time in the evening, but then I wake up at 2am and lay awake for 3 or 4 hours. Just how long I can function normally during the day when I’m up most of the night as well is a mystery. The kids start school tomorrow – maybe I can nap while they are away.
Next time: pictures from my trip.
