This post is about some amusing things I heard at my home airport in Maryland, aboard my flight, and after arrival yesterday in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, where I am leading a major event for my work.

I traveled comfortably, in a pair of Wranglers and Nocona Rattlesnake cowboy boots.

Here goes:

Arriving at the airport whilst checking in

• [Airline agent inquired]: Do you have luggage to check? Why?
  — because I can’t travel without at least one change of boots each day for the five days I will be there. [I think she actually believed me, but I couldn’t tell]

• [a guy taking off his wing-tipped dress shoes in front of me asked]: Do you have to take your boots off to go through security like I do?
  —No; I enjoy being wanded, frisked, and delayed

• [kid with Mom] Mommy, what are those things on his feet?
  Honey, those are boots
  Mommy, where’s he going?
  I don’t know
  Do you think he is going to ride a horse?
  I don’t know
  Mister, [looking at my boots then at me] Are you going to ride a horse in Texas?
  Kid, thanks for noticing the boots. No, I’m going to ride a horse in Arizona.
  Oh! Wow!

Aboard the plane

• [Flight attendant said:] Nice cowboy boots!
  Why thank ya’, ma’am!

• [Woman on aisle seat in my row exclaimed:] Those are some boots!
  No, there are only two

• [Sneaker-wearing guy waiting for the toilet asked:] Don’t those things (pointing to my boots) get hot?
  No, but they look hot!

Upon arrival in Phoenix

• [Good looking young guy who sees me at baggage claim says:] Man, those a really cool boots! I’ve always wanted a pair of boots like that. Where did you get them? I got them from a cousin who owned a boot store in Oklahoma. I have seen them on-line for a decent price at bootbarn.com. [He smiles and says that he will get himself a pair.]

Welcome to Arizona!