things you just don’t say

We decided to go to the border today and get our passports stamped and visas renewed.  Apparently you are supposed to do it every 3 months to keep squeaky clean; and it was coming up to that point for the other two.  However, it was coming up to my 5-month anniversary so I expected some action.  Land borders are nothing like airport borders, and seem be thriving ‘grey zones’ for so many reasons…

Like we parked up and were immediately latched onto by a ‘fixer’ who never actually said he would charge, but you could sense it.  Anyway we ignored him and went on to leave Haiti.  It was $10 USD, I had a $50 as I assumed I would get through it that day.  He took my money and stamped my passport, barely even glancing at my green ticket, let alone calculating that I was 2 months over-stayed (an illegal alien?).   I waited for change, but he moved on to the next person.  So I waited more.  Eventually I put myself in front of the window and demanded change.  Lots of forgetful looks and gestures, but he found the right change, in his wallet.  Ever wondered why customs fees are always hard currency?

Across the border and into the Dominican Republic (the DR).  The border was a river and as we passed the halfway point there was a narrow gate with a security guard checking passports.  It was 30 degrees and bright blue sky (as usual) so I was sweating a bit (as usual), especially with my rucksac ready for the goodies to be had in ‘the supermarket’.  Rockstar lifestyle, huh?  Anyway there was a little laughter in front of me and a smile from the guard as we nodded and passed.  What did he say to my mate – about the guy with the big beard, carrying a rucksac and sweating a lot – ‘looks like Osama bin Laden’.  Things you don’t say when passing through security…

Anyway, though it was only a couple of hours ‘abroad’ it still counted as a holiday, and it is so hot and sunny I had to get some sunglasses.