Waiting for my backpack to be scanned at the San Juan
Airport, I took a few furtive glances at an older woman who had been pulled to
the side for additional screening. Prior to me walking through the metal
detector, the security personnel held those of us waiting for a delay, without
explanation. The agents just simply put their hands up and refused to allow any
one through in our line until all passengers had cleared the x-ray and metal
detectors. Evidently, the delay was cause by this poor woman who had made some
food dish that was now being closely inspected by the two screeners. The
serious-faced male and female inspectors, with the baby blue rubber gloves,
were handling what appeared to be enchiladas, inserting their fingers into each
one to make sure nothing was dangerous or malicious in the woman’s recipe. The
woman remained stoic and cooperative, but I could not but feel sorry for her.
She had worked very hard to make someone at her destination a good meal and it
was, at least the aesthetic quality, being ruined.
Wouldn’t it have been nice, rather than ruining this
meal, if there was a way in which some of us could have avoided the processed, commercialized
food typical at airports to enjoy this woman’s endeavors? I hope that the object
of her love, who she doubtlessly worked to please, enjoyed it. But at a time
when many people do not enjoy the pleasures of real food, or companionship
during a meal, to have the opportunity so that people could enjoy a homecooked
meal before hours cramped in airplane would be nice. Of course, we would have
to get over our fears of something different, of trying new things, and talking
to others. But it would be worth it, I think.
