Then What Am I Taking My Shoes Off For

From USA Today...

Most fake bombs missed by screeners

Come to think of it, I've had my Swiss knife go past the security check point in 2 of my trips. The first time was when I went to Chicago back in March, and the second time was when I went to Dallas last month. Both times I realized, after checking in on the counter, that I still had my keys (which include the Swiss knife). So I just placed them in my carry-on. Nobody noticed it in the X-ray thingie on both trips.

And when I did check in my keys w/ the Swiss knife, the plane loses my suitcase. I ended up working from home for 2 days, as I waited for my car keys. How does the story end? I don't have the Swiss knife attached to my keys anymore.

Things I Learned in Costa Rica

• Latin Americans love to worship.
• Always bring a Spanish phrase book if you want to be understood.
• The sun is a gift from God.
• Heredia is like Tagaytay.
• When running in the rain you think you see a light blue floormat, don't step on it. It's actually a pool overflowing with water.
• Take Dramamine 30 minutes before riding a plane, if you didn't learn the first time.
• The trampoline is a gift from God (through a human being that invented it).
• Do not panic when the cab driver charges you 2000 colones. He's actually charging you 4 dollars, not 2000 dollars.
• Just because there are a lot of common words between Tagalog and Spanish does not mean you know Spanish.

Things I Learned in Europe

• People in Paris let their dogs poop on the sidewalks.
• Lourdes is like Baguio City.
• A Mini Cooper is actually a mid-size car.
• If you want to order regular Coke, you have to say "normal Coke." All others are abnormal.
  
• The French language is sexy.
• So is the Italian language.
• I think the Germans are mad at me.
• The Handmaids are crazy... and I mean that in a good way.
• The real Maria Von Trapp made a cameo in The Sound of Music.
• Walking around Paris with a backpack containing your laptop, SLR, hard drive, cables, water, etc. is not good for your back.
• 8-hour layover in Rome's airport = boring
• Take Dramamine 30 minutes before riding a plane or train.
• Condoms are sold at sidewalks to tourists.
• When Filipinos in Vienna say something that sounds like "aso," they're not talking about a dog.
• Before dining in a restaurant in Lourdes, learn French or Spanish first. Your English is useless there.
• European chocolates taste much better.