No.2: Evacuation does not = Beauty
I am sitting in the Airport, traumatised (and without spell check, so forgive my errors). Since some idiots tried to bomb something or else, I AM GOING TO SUFFER.
I will be working for the next two weeks and looking like hell because...
The took away my:
- contact lense solution
- hair gel
- perfume (Escada Rockin' Rio)
- TOOTHPASTE (because I may scrub someone clean to death?)
- shampoo
- conditioner
- $60 of mascara which I just purchased in Montreal (Lancome!!!!!!!!!!)
- (brace yourselves) LIP GLOSS. I have NO lip gloss because they took both of them away from me. I actually said "What are you doing? Look at the size of my mouth, how can you leave me without lip gloss???? If someone were to take away your gel, wouldn't you be upset? With your hair?" because he had a full throttle pompodor. Thing must LIVE in his hair, isn't THAT a security threat?
What the fuck? Honestly? What could I have possibly done with the above while in flight; I'm not McGyver, or McCgiver, or MaCgiver. The most I would have done is made people pretty? And clean?
They didn't take away my floss, but I offered it. He turned it down, he kept refusing to take it. The one thing I would have gladly given up in the name of 'security', and he kept turning me down. Damn them. And damn my floss, Crest super glide.
And here's where things got ugly. The security guy was eyeing my kohl. This is a middle eastern steel tube with kohl inside, which my grandmother gave to my mother who then gave it to me. He was staring at it and I started panicing, or maybe I was panicking? Anyway, he was eyeing it, then looking at me, then eyeing it, then looking at me some more and I must have looked like I was either going to pass out or start crying because he mumbled
"I'm sorry. What's in here? I have to take it away."
"NO! It's my grandmother!"
"Excuse me?"
"It's middle eastern style kohl, see, look at how it goes in my eye. There's nothing harmful in it, you can't take it away. TAKE MY FLOSS INSTEAD. I'M GOING TO LEBANON ON A US OR UK HELICOPTER YOU HAVE TO LEAVE ME MY KOHL TAKE MY FLOSS TAKE IT."
...he let me keep it, and I'm quite certain he thinks am a bona fide mental handicap. But that's ok, 'cus I won!
I'm still a little hysterical.
I will be working for the next two weeks and looking like hell because...
The took away my:
- contact lense solution
- hair gel
- perfume (Escada Rockin' Rio)
- TOOTHPASTE (because I may scrub someone clean to death?)
- shampoo
- conditioner
- $60 of mascara which I just purchased in Montreal (Lancome!!!!!!!!!!)
- (brace yourselves) LIP GLOSS. I have NO lip gloss because they took both of them away from me. I actually said "What are you doing? Look at the size of my mouth, how can you leave me without lip gloss???? If someone were to take away your gel, wouldn't you be upset? With your hair?" because he had a full throttle pompodor. Thing must LIVE in his hair, isn't THAT a security threat?
What the fuck? Honestly? What could I have possibly done with the above while in flight; I'm not McGyver, or McCgiver, or MaCgiver. The most I would have done is made people pretty? And clean?
They didn't take away my floss, but I offered it. He turned it down, he kept refusing to take it. The one thing I would have gladly given up in the name of 'security', and he kept turning me down. Damn them. And damn my floss, Crest super glide.
And here's where things got ugly. The security guy was eyeing my kohl. This is a middle eastern steel tube with kohl inside, which my grandmother gave to my mother who then gave it to me. He was staring at it and I started panicing, or maybe I was panicking? Anyway, he was eyeing it, then looking at me, then eyeing it, then looking at me some more and I must have looked like I was either going to pass out or start crying because he mumbled
"I'm sorry. What's in here? I have to take it away."
"NO! It's my grandmother!"
"Excuse me?"
"It's middle eastern style kohl, see, look at how it goes in my eye. There's nothing harmful in it, you can't take it away. TAKE MY FLOSS INSTEAD. I'M GOING TO LEBANON ON A US OR UK HELICOPTER YOU HAVE TO LEAVE ME MY KOHL TAKE MY FLOSS TAKE IT."
...he let me keep it, and I'm quite certain he thinks am a bona fide mental handicap. But that's ok, 'cus I won!
I'm still a little hysterical.
Labels: Beirut 2006, Travel
posted by just a girl at 5:25 PM
8 Comments:
They didn't offer you the opportunity to pack these items away into your checked luggage? I'm glad you got to keep your grandmother's kohl.
I'm laughing and crying inside at the same time while reading your blogs. I know what the kohl stick looks like - precious indeed; I'm glad it's in your possession. Somehow I feel helpless with someone like you with an enormous heart who would risk her safety for others; you have enormous courage to go with it. May you be protected always and thank you so much for helping those in need at a time of crisis. May God, Allah, Buddha, or whatever name comes to mind, bless you.
We are very proud of you for following your heart ... just take care of yourself ... and Godspeed
Ryan & Denis
I'm arriving late, as usual; but I offer you my prayers and well-wishes, love. Please keep your beautiful self as safe as possible.
xo
Your fabulous lips will look great even without the gloss.
I am sending lots of good vibes and prayers your way.
xoxo
Janey
good on ya Maha for going there. That got to be exciting and scary at the same time.
I actually came back two days ago arriving from south america via atlanta and I am glad I missed all this bullshit.
Take care of yourself and relax a bit.
Lovely lady, you manage to make me laugh my ass off, even while I'm struggling not to cry about your huge heart and your beautiful willingness to help others.
Be safe, be safe, be safe.
And do let us know what's going on, whenever you get a moment.
Keep on keepin' on, rockstar. Sending you duas and good vibes.
Mo, I was given pretty clear instructions from work that I was to keep all items with me because I was getting directly on a chopper. Forget that never happened, I had a near 12 hours in between landing and chopper! The good thing is that two guys who arrived the same day earlier, lost their luggage and didn't have anything for the entire week they were in Beirut!
PMZ, honestly, honestly, honestly, I didn't do anything and it doesn't take a big heart to make it over there. I really didn't do a thing, except meet a group of incredible individuals who were much braver than I. But thank you for your kind kind words and I'm happy you're able to laugh at some of this nonsense :)
Ryan & Denis, love you love you love you and looking forward to seeing you once am home in Ottawa.
Ella, xoxoxoxo. You've never arrived late for a thing...;o)
BABY JANEY! Check your email, love. And thank you for not berrating me when we spoke on the phone and understanding that "you're probably already getting this at home, so I won't say it. BUT I WANT YOU TO BE CAREFUL." God, I miss you.
Sami, I hope you had an excellent honeymoon, and I can't wait to hear all about it and see the pictures. Send my hellos to Reem and I'll be in touch when I've been home and have decompressed for a wee bit!
Yasmine, habibti, thank you for your duas; it's all anyone of us could ask for :)
Your words are too kind and over the top. I have to stop telling this to people, but honestly >> being there was nothing, and we were always safe. Akeed. Inshallah. And no matter what would have happened, kulshi min Allah kheir :)
xoxo
maha
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