Catching this ferry back to Marseilles there was the usual delay at the customs. All luggage out of the car for inspection, then drive to the scanner, then back to the customs, then pick up some stupid papers, then load your bags back, smile through your teeth all the time and say nice things to the damn slow and clueless chaps in uniforms. The most pointless was the final check before getting on the boat - some uniformed officials stop you to make sure once again that you have actually stamped your passport a few minutes ago and cleared your car at the customs. The fella studied my passport for over a minute including visas for some other countries from the past years, then asked me for my 'piece d'identite'. I said 'you're holding it' - he looked once again blankly at my passport, gave it back it to me and finally let me go. The boat was 4 hours late for departure because of this one final check of every vehicle.
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