Monday, June 2, 2014

Border crossing




Getting from Paris back to London involved considerable scrutiny at the border before entering the chunnel.  First we stopped on the French side and all got off the bus to go through passport control.  While we were doing that, they inspected the bus and the luggage hold.

Then we went through the UK procedures.  Again we all got off the bus to go through passport control.  They asked lots of questions.  How much money are we carrying? Where are we going to stay?  Is that accommodation already paid for?  Do we have any family in the UK?  And while we were going through this, they inspected the bus and luggage compartment, including using dogs. 

When I returned, my sandwich had been moved from a bag on the floor up onto the seat.  It probably was of interest to the dog!  Clearly they do not want just anyone entering their country on the cheap bus.

One woman was pulled aside, and she and her luggage were taken to a building.  Here is the scary part.  The bus went on without her.  I guess she could get on the next bus in an hour or two, but I would have been upset to have been left behind in the middle of no where.

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