Last weekend I went to Italy with two friends I've met since being here. We planned the trip a couple weekends before, and were really excited to get out of our routine.
We got to the airport, super jazzed about our Milan weekend. We got to security, took out all our crap to put it in the bins, and were on our way. The Schipol airport, while not as insane as the US, means business. They are very thorough, and it is kind of a long process. I finally get through and see that my backpack was taken to be searched. This has happened before for forgetting a perfume or something and they just toss it and send it on your way.
In my head I was like "oh dang my lotion might be over 3 oz how didn't I catch that? Bummer".
Well, no, it was not my lotion, but it absolutely was a bummer.
Side note: I cannot travel without something happening. My flights are always delayed, I lose my credit card, get non-flyable food poisoning at the airport, get my phone stolen, etc. So this was my thing for this trip.
I had forgotten a small little thing hanging on my keychain called pepper spray.
In the US, it is legal to carry pepper spray everywhere, and it is legal to take pepper spray in a checked bag. I have taken pepper spray as a carry on, and nothing has been said. This is not great, because they didn't catch it, but nonetheless, it has happened.
So they called me over and my entirely inappropriate response was "*laugh* Ah sorry I totally forgot that was on my keys! You can just toss it. Sorry about that!".
Wrong answer. His response was "Um, no. Ma'am we are going to have to call the police and they can decide what will be done with you. Pepper spray is an illegal weapon in Holland" LOL
At this point my friends thought I went to the gate without them and were gone. My mind was doing your average "holy shit am I going to get deported, or detained, or executed, or..."
In front of every person at the airport the police read me my rights, asked if I wanted a lawyer, and escorted me to their office.
They asked me how much money I had, I responded "absolutely none I am a student" and they lowered my ticket from something like 400 Euros to 250.
After lots of questions, I paid a fine and made my flight.
We spent the perfect girls weekend in Milan, and I spent one solo day in Venice for Carnival. Milan was absolutely beautiful and I found myself wishing too often that I had a sugar daddy to buy me every beautiful dress in the windows. We took time walking around Duomo, the most beautiful building I think I will ever get to be inside. We ate tons of pizza, tiramisu, and pasta. Our hostel that we stayed at was more expensive than the hostels I typically stay at, but ended up being so worth it. Free breakfast and pasta all day, and tons of really cool people to meet.
During my day trip to Venice I was super disappointed! Very dirty, lots of graffiti, and just not my favorite place. The water was beautiful, and I spent most of the day reading next to it eating a stupid amount of pizza and gelato. Though, I am not a big fan of tourist-y things, so that might be why.
I am back in Leiden and planning my trip to Prague next week. :)