Security Check: Stonehenge in a Tin
You might remember a previous blog post of mine about my run-in with security over my Exploding Kittens game. Well, here is a blog post about another run-in with airport security. I swear I will not make this a habit of getting stopped by airport security!
Back in May 2017, I was traveling around Europe with my friend, and one of our stops was London, England. Since we were going to be close to Stonehenge, I found a tour for us that would take us to both Stonehenge and Bath via Golden Tours. We first arrived in the city of Bath where we took a walking tour of the city. We then went to the Roman baths that were well preserved. We read the museum plaques to learn more about the Romans and how they made and used the baths.
We then rode the bus to Stonehenge, which was just majestic! While wearing a poncho to avoid getting wet from the dreary rain that was becoming synonymous with England, I marveled at the stones and wondered how they got there. What was their purpose? I thought it was very nice that the area around the tourist attraction was pure countryside. It was not built up with cities or shops. Instead, you could see green grass and trees and countryside homes around for miles. We walked around the stones and then the bus took us back to the visitor center which held some museum exhibits and the gift shop. While browsing the tchotchkes, I found the coolest souvenir ever: Stonehenge in a tin! It is a round tin that has a mock Stonehenge inside! I bought two: one for me and one for my boyfriend (now husband)! I was so excited about this souvenir, and I could not wait to give it to my boyfriend. I knew he would like it because before I went on my trip, I asked him what he would want me to bring back for him. He said he wanted something with Stonehenge on it. Little did he know that he would be getting a mini replica of Stonehenge!
I packed the tins in my suitcase before my trip from London to Amsterdam. At the London City Airport, a security guard took me to the side and opened up my suitcase. He found the two tins and thought they contained lotions, as some women buy tins that hold balms or lotions. I do not consider myself as being high maintenance, so I have never had those types of tins. He asked if he could open one, and I agreed. As he opened it, I exclaimed in a chirpy tone, “See, it’s Stonehenge in a tin!” I was super excited to share with him the coolest souvenir ever! He was clearly not impressed as he mumbled something about his job and put it back in my suitcase. I was then allowed to take my bag and proceed to my gate.
To his credit, the security guard was doing a great job! I completely respect him and his co-workers. Unfortunately, England had experienced terrorism attacks recently, so all of their security guards were on high alert. There had been a suicide bombing at a concert in Manchester on May 22, 2017. The date that my run-in with security happened was on June 3, 2017. Later that night on June 3rd on the London Bridge, a van drove into a crowd of pedestrians, and the passengers got out and stabbed people. This was another terrorist attack in England. When I got to Amsterdam, I had no idea about the London Bridge attack. Due to the time zone difference, my family and friends did not hear about the attack until it was late at night / early morning of when I was in Amsterdam. I had to wake up super early on June 4, 2017 to catch my flight from Amsterdam to Detroit.
When I woke up, I saw a few messages on my phone asking if I was okay. I quickly responded that I was okay, I had to get on a plane to the U.S., and I would look more into the news later. When I got to the airport in Amsterdam and through security, I sat at my gate and finally had some time to check the news. I was shocked at the news and understood why so many of my friends and family had reached out to me. They knew I was traveling around England, the Netherlands, and Belgium, but had no clue whether or not I was in London during the attack. I was touched by their kindness and saddened by the thought that I had just crossed the London Bridge within the past week. I could have been on the bridge during the attack. Thankfully, I was not and was safe and sound. However, I try not to let fear of terrorism or other bad things keep me from traveling. I want to live life with no regrets, and I will travel!
