The most common one is probably the excessive baggage checks. You might have your bags rummaged through completely, with your personal items strewn all over. It's not only time - consuming but also feels invasive.
Another common horror story is about miscommunication. For instance, a non - native English speaker might not understand the instructions clearly given by the customs officer. This can lead to misunderstandings and sometimes even fines or further detention. For example, if they misunderstand the rules about declaring food items and don't do it properly.
Getting randomly selected for extra screening is also a common horror story. You could be on a tight schedule, but then you're pulled aside for a full - body scan or additional baggage checks that seem to have no real reason. It can be extremely frustrating, especially when you're in a hurry to get to your destination.
Well, there have been stories of items being wrongly confiscated at west coast customs. For example, a traveler had some unique local handicrafts which were not actually prohibited but the customs officers thought they were and just took them away without proper verification. This left the traveler feeling very frustrated as those were souvenirs with sentimental value.
Issues with medications. Travelers sometimes carry their regular medications. But if the quantity seems a bit large or if they don't have proper doctor's prescriptions with them in English, customs can give them a hard time. I heard of a case where a person with a chronic illness had his essential meds confiscated because the prescription was not in the right format. It put his health at risk during his stay in the US.
One common type is about long delays. People have their flights to catch but customs holds them up for hours. For example, a family was traveling for a vacation and got stuck at customs for over five hours. Another type is about items being confiscated wrongly. A person had a small pocket knife which was a souvenir but customs took it away.
Often, a west coast woman in short stories is depicted as independent. Given the laid - back yet progressive culture of the west coast, she might be open - minded, for example, towards new social ideas or different cultures. She could also be associated with nature, as the west coast has beautiful landscapes, and she might be shown enjoying beach walks or hikes in the mountains.
One horror story is about a hiker who got lost in a sudden fog on the West Coast Trail. They wandered for hours, completely disoriented. Every step they took seemed to lead them deeper into the unknown. They were surrounded by the eerie silence of the forest, and as night fell, they heard strange noises that they couldn't identify. Thankfully, they were eventually found by a search party, but the experience left them traumatized.
A journalist once traveled coast to coast to report on the different lifestyles across the country. He visited fishing villages on the East Coast and high - tech hubs on the West Coast. He interviewed farmers in the heartland and artists in the big cities. His stories not only showed the differences but also the common threads that bind the nation together. He found that people everywhere had dreams and hopes, and his journey became a tapestry of human experiences from coast to coast.
One really scary story is about a group whose rope bridge broke while they were crossing it on the West Coast Trail. They were halfway across, and suddenly, they were falling into the water below. Some of them hit rocks on the way down. They had to struggle to get to the shore, and a couple of them had broken bones. It was a nightmare situation, and they were lucky to survive.
There are also stories about the transformation of humans into animals or vice - versa. For example, some stories tell of a person who through a series of events, may be transformed into a bear or an orca. These stories not only show the connection between humans and animals in their beliefs but also illustrate the fluidity of existence in their cosmology. They are often used to explain certain behaviors or characteristics of both humans and animals in their culture.
One of the best is 'Avengers West Coast' #42 - #45 which features the team facing off against the High Evolutionary. It's a great story that showcases the unique dynamics of the West Coast Avengers.
West Coast love stories can also be about people from different backgrounds coming together. Maybe a tech - savvy person from the city falls in love with a laid - back farmer in the outskirts. Their different lifestyles blend and create a unique relationship. Also, the laid - back and open - minded culture of the west coast often means that love can be more spontaneous and free - flowing compared to more traditional settings.