jakorte's blog

Going through security at DTW was not as stressful as it was going to Florida in March. The entrance attendant scanned my passport. My luggage rode uneventfully through the scanner and I passed through the body scan just as easily. I gathered myself and my belongings up and stopped to put on my shoes thinking, “That’s it?” Then I noticed the Homeland Security desk sitting quietly between two more sort-of gates.

There was someone else at the desk, so I waited my turn for a few minutes, stepping up when I could. The two guards looked at me strangely when I approach. ‘I am taking an international flight,” I announce. “Do I need to stop here?” I felt a little foolish, when they shook their heads and told me to move on. Headed for D2 and very early, I came across a TV at D9. President Obama was speaking about the assassination of the former President of Afghanistan and the head peace negotiator being killed in his own home by a suicide bomber. I have a hard time grasping the hate and the level of it required to perform such an act. No – I have an impossible time -can’t fathom.

Bewildered, and logically a little more insecure, I turn away. Surprisingly, I find myself squarely facing a supposedly non-existent currency exchange booth. Of course, the window notice reads, “Back in 15 minutes”. In light of my early arrival, I take a seat at the wrong gate, and wait. I munch on cheese brought from home and sip on airport bought Mountain Dew, contemplating short setbacks I have already endured and the long journey ahead of me.

The kiosk reopens and it turns out that I misunderstood the currency conversion chart I read on-line. $200.00 Euros will cost $314.00 – I got it backwards. So, part cash, part debit card later, I have my Euros. I head for the right departure gate feeling accomplished and somewhat immediately secured, but not at all completely right about anything.