Mirrors and stars - and graffiti - at a sidewalk sale in Savannah, Georgia. Many of the mirrors are framed with decorative ceiling tins salvaged from old houses. Hmmm, wonder where if they'll have any left by the next time I visit Savannah. And will they fit into my luggage?
When I first took Jordana to college, we'd been to visit her grandparents. I was carrying an antique mirror bought in San Francisco, that I wanted to take back to France. But Delta Airlines security would not let me bring it on the plane, even though by phone they'd assured me it was fine. Not only that, but the airline counter agent threatened to have the mirror destroyed if someone didn't pick it up by the time our flight for Savannah departed! My antique mirror!
It was my birthday and I was emotional enough at taking my daughter to college; the agent's rude behaviour was the last straw. I burst into tears, then another kinder agent let me phone a friend, who promised to pick it up later that day. A friend who works for a different airline told me the FAA probably considered the mirror a security risk, as it could be shattered and used as a weapon. But that was no excuse for the airline employee's hostility.
The mirror eventually found its way back to my parents' home. There it remains, leaning behind a folder (a tall piece of furniture that opens to unfold a bed) that belonged to my grandparents, awaiting passage to France. Photo by Stratton Hatfield. Click to enlarge.
Aww, poor Tara! If I were with you I would have bitched that rude agent OUT!! Make Tara cry on her birthday?! Grrr...
See? Take me along with you on your travels. I can be very handy. ;) lol
:)
Posted by: Amber | 27 March 2007 at 17:39
It just seems to be the luck of the draw as to how you are treated by airline staff.
Savannah - what a fabulous place to be able to go to.
Posted by: Di Overton | 27 March 2007 at 08:47
I'm so tired of people's bad behavior - I would say at that point, yes.. a mirror could be used as a weapon. I'm sorry. I am sure that was an emotional day. I can only imagine.
xoxox
Posted by: holli | 27 March 2007 at 07:29
What fun mirrors - and what a sad tale...why must people be so rude nowadays? I suppose there've always been rude people, it just seems like there are more of them - and they use things like these fears of terrorism to justify their bad manners. Would that really stop a terrorist? I don't think they'd be intimidated - but it sure makes innocent citizens unhappy - which is what the terrorists want to do anyway - so isn't that like they're helping the terrorists make us miserable? Sheesh.
Hope you have your mirror with you someday soon, sweetie! xoxo
Posted by: tinker | 27 March 2007 at 06:24
That’s so sad! After looking at those mirrors in the photos I am thinking they are much like the colored glass I adore. I never realized it before, but I have a unique attraction to those beautifully framed mirrors!
Hugs Sherrie
Posted by: giggles | 27 March 2007 at 06:12
very cool photo; I could imagine the frustration; you handled it well
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 27 March 2007 at 06:05
I can imagine the emotion of that moment ... very cool photo!
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 27 March 2007 at 04:47
My gosh I could spend a fortune there! Love the stars too. XXOO
Posted by: Tammy | 27 March 2007 at 01:23
Oh the joy of flying these days. I really like this photo, it is so interesting to me how mirrors play roles in our lives.
XO
Kristen
Posted by: Kristen R | 27 March 2007 at 00:51
Wow...beautiful...
Posted by: Gypsy Purple-Chamara | 26 March 2007 at 18:41
found you via simon-ordinarylife! i'm in SAVANNAH..i live here! lol where did you find that sidewalk sale??? and i'm in paris at least once a quarter...great blog you have here...see you soon *S*
Posted by: savannah | 26 March 2007 at 16:59
What a cool picture! And I, too, have been reduced to tears by airline personnel. So annoying.
Posted by: writerbug | 26 March 2007 at 16:56
When I first saw the photo(not yet reading your post)I thought..wow..that looks like a Chareleston set up! Ha!... Savannah! Close! I recognise those ceiling tiles! When you come to Savannah....you might visit Charlseton......give me a shout and we can meet for a cocktail! Wheeeee! I hope you can get your mirror. I do not know why people get so rude!
Posted by: pam aries | 26 March 2007 at 16:17
I love this photo, Tara. These are beautiful mirrors.
Posted by: bella | 26 March 2007 at 14:17
I have yet to visit Savannah, but it is on my list for this year! Isn't airline travel just peachy keen sometimes!!!
Posted by: mymelange | 26 March 2007 at 13:24
I love stars and all kinds of unusual things.
Blessings~
Posted by: Jeanne | 26 March 2007 at 12:24