13 Comments
User's avatar
Vasia Markides's avatar

I didn’t intend to suggest that you could become pals because he’s boring... 😅Obviously you’re far from boring.

Expand full comment
Renee Puvvada's avatar

This makes me smile and giggle immensely.

Expand full comment
Benjamin J Curtis's avatar

Great recommendations for any travelers in as unique of a situation as yours. Having been recently sexually assaulted for the appearance of safety, I feel some of your pain.

Sad that 4 days of no power had me so far behind we were not able to connect, but I'm hoping soon my friend, and thanks as always for your interesting take on TSA.

Expand full comment
Constantine Markides's avatar

*sound of plastic gloves being pulled over hands* I hope they at least asked for consent before molesting you.

Ditto. Next time, for sure

Expand full comment
Vasia Markides's avatar

Loved it! Sounds like you two could become pals. It takes a special kind of person to want to go through people’s personal belongings all day. The kind who chooses to live through other’s adventures over having their own. The kind who think Orono, Maine is boring!

Expand full comment
Constantine Markides's avatar

For sure. In the unlikely event he ever reads this post, the beers are on me (in Orono, of course)

Expand full comment
Peter Borkowicz's avatar

These border “guards “! Nice piece. The parody worked for me. It’s the only way to deal with such abuse as we know how shitty they can make life for us. Thanks.

Expand full comment
Constantine Markides's avatar

I can hardly complain compared to what others have been through. And the man did at least have a sense of humor about it all

Expand full comment
Grimalkin's avatar

Oh, thank you for adding a bit of levity to my Sunday morning. Makes me glad I never fly anywhere. Happy New Year!

Expand full comment
Thales Panagides's avatar

I really enjoyed this read. Much love to you and the family in 2024.

Expand full comment
Constantine Markides's avatar

Thanks, Thales. And to you too. Let's see if this year proves to be as dramatic as we all anticipate...

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Mar 10, 2024
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Constantine Markides's avatar

Interesting, I had no idea Rahm Emanuel served in the IDF during the Iraq war. You’re right, there’s no way they can enforce the whole No-Americans-in-a-foreign-military line because of the number of Americans who’ve been in the IDF. I just think that my dad, being an immigrant from Cyprus, was just over cautious about it and passed that caution on to me. After that ridiculous encounter with the customs officer I never gave it another thought

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Jan 1, 2024
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Constantine Markides's avatar

Ha, Dickens knew how to name them...

Expand full comment