of course i don't want to blow up this plane - i think religious violence is for retards.

short as possible summary of all the 'security' measures i had to face flying from beijing to la through tokyo.

1. check-in luggage control: have to open everything, take it out of my bag. chinese people don't care about the number of illegal dvd-copies, knock-off super-a class counterfeit bags and fake converse shoes you pack, as long as there's a seal on your bag that says 'security checked'.

2. check-in interview: 'why are you going to the states?' 'where has your baggage been?' and so on and so on.

3. passport control. back in the days, when this was just it....

4. first security check - for american flights only. friend i was traveling with had to hand in all her liquid stuff, mascara and make-up, while the old lady in front of me was allowed to take hers with her, together with her pliers and scissors. summary executions seem less random. laptop x-rayed seperately.

5. second security check, at the gate - 'please step out of the line sir' sure, whatever, not that i have any choice... they take my carry-on bag apart, metal detect me, and check my shoes. i want to meet the first person that can pack anything in the soles of a converse that is not durt picked up from the street...

add. passengers also have to fill in a customs form leaving the country. xeroxing the one you have to fill in upon entering is apparently beyond beijings grasp.

6. in tokyo: security check in the transfer area. laptop not removed from my bag, nobody asked for it.

7. after the gate, another hauling of the bag, and surprise: again no bomb in my bag!

8. standing in line for us customs for an hour, and when its my turn, the customs guys needs to take a number two because he 'takes this medicine for his stomach which makes him go number two multiple times a day'.

whatever.

written over the pacific #2