about travelling

I think it is just about everywhere these days. Everything seems to have changed for the worse.

No, of course it isn't the way it's supposed to be but there are things that have happened over the years, that make others wary of certain travellers. For instance, when I came to the States, four and a half years ago, my bag was emptied in the airport in a public place, because it had a tin in it containing poker chips, which showed up on the scanner. Added to that, the alarm went off when I crossed through the scanning system upstairs. The security guy yelled at me to get back, but I was confused and managed to step over the line again. Now, bear in mind, I'm female, in the autumn of my life and don't resemble a terrorist in any way! However, a female security guard was called, I had to remove my shoes and belt and I was thoroughly searched, again in public view. By the time I got through all the security I was so glad I was going home. Not that I hadn't really enjoyed my time in Oregon but because of the treatment I received at the airport... and my country an ally of yours! lol. I suppose if we want to travel, we have to carry the baggage that our countries and others have laden us with. Brightest Blessings.

Most officials are trying to do their job and there are always some who want to show their power. My sister worked Airport Security and there were days when she said they had to check everybody because that was the order from Homeland Security. I will have to say I have never had any trouble in foreign countries or entering or leaving.

I was amazed when an immigration officer said "Welcome to Australia" to me. I thought that was incredibly welcoming. When I went to the USA the immigration officer asked numerous times "Are you going to work here" and I said "no" every time. It looked to them like I had a one way flight to Los Angeles so I had to show them the rest of my ticket around the world. In Guatemala the border control guy was charging every traveler a different amount. There was a high charge for the retired American man. I thought that was mean. My home country is fine for Europeans but it can give some travelers a difficult time getting in. One of my sister's friends from Canada had a challenging time getting into my home country. The immigration officer that deals with non-European passports might be tough.

I think all countries are somehow harrasing thavellers in these last years. I live in Chle, ,our whole family has travelled a lot all our life and we are respectable people. But my daughter, for instance, promised she would never go back to the US because the last time she was there, the airport authorities even made her take off the diapers of her 3 month old baby. Now, she is a judge in my country ( for us, she is an authority)and she had even lived in the US while studying. She had gone to show the baby to her "american mom". I´m sure not all of the immigration authorities or the countries police are so stupid (I can´t use another word). But there are peopel like that every where. The saddest part is that this behaviour has its roots in a lasck of trust that is absurd. Most people are NOT terrorists. But many muslims have had problems because a very small group are terrorists. It also happens with racism. I hope what you tell us is done by an as*hole and not by everyone at immigration. Have a good day