I’m a security risk? (No pictures)

Another story, I had to get the previous story out before I attempted to tackle this one. You had to know that I was feeling like ass going into the trip back home. If you aren’t sure what I’m talking about, go to the previous post, read that, and come back here.

So, the day of departure arrives, I check out at the hotel, I pay the tourist tax… There is a damned TOURIST tax! Anyway, the hotel calls a cab for me, I make the trip to the airport, and I allow for time for security, finding my way around the airport, and whatnot. If you know me, that means I arrived about 4 hours before my flight was set to take off, and I was at the gate with 3 hours to spare. I walked around nervously, grabbed some breakfast at the little shop next to the gate, and I ate quietly. Perfectly normal actions, right?

Apparently not.

As I’m entering the second hour of sitting there, I’m approached by airport security! They start asking me questions. “Are you American?” “What are you here for?” “What flight are you here for” “Oh, you’re not here for this flight? We’ll find you later.”

The flight before mine departs, and I move closer to the gate. Noticing the whole time that the security folk are hovering not far away, keeping an eye on me. I honestly thought I was going to be arrested or something. “So, you said you were American, Why are you in Italy?” “Why have you been lingering around”

So, I put on my best customer service voice, and answer with a smile. I tell them that I am chronically early for things because I genuinely fear being late, and in this case, being late would mean having to book another flight, and possibly be stuck in Italy for another day. I was in Italy for sightseeing. Yes, I spent most of my time in Rome, although I did go to Pompeii and Montepulciano and Sorrento. Blah blah blah, over-sharing because that is what I do.

Finally, they either decided I wasn’t an actual security threat, or they were just tired of listening to me talk. But they eventually left, and I was able to go about my day, and go back to being miserable.