THE WORLD EQUESTRIAN
GAMES - JEREZ, SPAIN
SEPTEMBER 2002
OUR ADVENTURE TO
SPAIN
In May of 2002, I decided to take my
store to Jerez. I contacted the commercial committee, downloaded
the paperwork, sent in my deposit and renewed my passport. Then
I asked Chris Kilen, a good friend, if she would like to come
with me. She said yes and the adventure started. For the next
few months we searched the internet for information. We decided
where we would like to go (for fun) and where we wanted to stay.
We both bought books (luckily not the same ones) and held our
breathe for the moment of departure. Neither of us like flying;
maybe we're just getting too old. Neither of us had flown since
911 and the flight lived up to at least MY expectations.
I fly out of Huntington, WV connecting
in Atlanta for Madrid and then on to Jerez. Mind you, flying to
Jerez from here is like flying from the Antarctic to Pango, Pango.
I.E. You cannot get there from here. It took as long to get to
Jerez as it did to get to Dubai!! A good 24 hours!! But, I am
getting ahead of myself. First, my plane out of Huntington was
canceled. I was directed to another flight hours later from Charleston,
WV (an hour away). Thanks to my good friend BJ, I not only got
there in plenty of time, but we had a nice late breakfast at Bob
Evans. In Charleston (Yeager Airport), I checked in only to find
out that MY name was drawn for a complete baggage search. OK,
I survived that, but I sure resent having my personal effects
subject to inspection AND not being allowed to witness it.
I still had plenty of time. Unfortunately,
this airport has a VERY nice public lounge area where I promptly
fell asleep. FORTUNATELY, I woke up about 20 minutes before I
needed to board the plane. Mind you, this comfortable lounge is
OUTSIDE the "secure" area. So, I had to pass this checkpoint.
Again, I have NOT flown since 911 and I ALWAYS carry my laptop.
Get this, not only to you have to take the laptop out of the case,
you have to open it and let them scan it. Good thing I do not
keep much that is PERSONAL on this laptop. I almost expected them
to ask to see the contents!! That's bad enough, but I have ALWAYS
triggered their alarms. This time was no exception. I was still
a "target" for their "intense" security scrutiny,
so ALL of my carry ons were disected, neglected, dejected, inspected
and just about turned upside down. THEN, there was ME!! I had
to take off my coat, my shoes, empty EVERYTHING that could possibly
contain ANYTHING (not my body, thank you NO!!!). So much for our
constitutional
rights. In particular the sixth amendment. Now, for the final
indignity. I had to walk less than 50 feet to the door to board
the plane. I HAD TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!!!!
Are we raising MORONS in this country?
Maybe, but I sincerely believe that all we are doing is allowing
our government to expand even further beyond the depths of control
by creating more jobs and the increasing payroll (including benefits,
retirement, etc). We are spending our GREAT grandkids inheritance!!
Well, I was going to promote business,
meet people new and old, and HAVE AN ADVENTURE!!