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pamela
thanks to all!
Going to the states for the first time in - wait for it - FIFTEEN YEARS!
Pamela
Pamela, my dear, you do know that there is an airport ritual you have to go through when you return to the mainland for the first time in a long time? I think the cut-off date for avoiding it is ten years, so prepare yourself. You need to wear as many heavy protective undergarments as possible in order to get through it with the minimum of bumps and bruises - in fact if you know someone in law enforcement, a bullet-proof vest works really well.
Basically, you'll be pulled aside before the 'plane takes on passengers and taken by car to the back of the runway where those heavy duty hoses they use for washing down the 'planes will be turned on you. They're pretty high velocity so lean forward so you don't knocked over on your keester. They only hose you down for a few seconds but it feels like an eternity. I've heard many different reasons for the rationale behind the apparent lunacy of this tradition but none of it makes much sense - but of course anyone who lives here for a long time accepts the fact that "making sense" of many things here is a bit of an oxymoron.
Just wanted you to be prepared as this is something which isn't widely known and it's always helpful to be prepared, particularly for something like this.
Have a great time in FLA and bring back some freshly-picked oranges and grapefruits!!!!!
