I have always loathed, despised, and swore at the very thought of this post-9/11 born federal agency called TSA. Yet after some eight years, I am seeing a volte-face - in TSA's behaviour and their efficiency in handling passengers/their belongings.

Case in point, my recent trip to New Orleans. No, those days with regular vacation are over for me. This trip concerned a career fair (though fun at Bourbon street was a no brainer!!). Anyhow, from greeting and thanking everyone at every instance, the TSA personnel were extremely courteous. When my friend incidentally forgot to collect his laptop after the security checkpoint, the TSA kept it in a safe and handed him graciously with a nice smile when he returned to collect it. They also seemed to crack jokes with the passengers and indulged in a few small talks, which, imho, didn't seem affected in any way. Wonder if this metamorphosis is here to remain or will it worsen come any new "security threat"!

Apropos New Orleans, the best part of my trip was, inter-alia, the sampling of traditional New Orleans cuisine - Jambalaya, rice and beans, and xxx (something I don't remember anymore). But the feather in the cap were the Alligator nuggets I had for appetizer (though, in retrospect, I regret eating it)...