Last week a Frenchman set "sail" from a Canary Island hoping to float with the wind and current and arrive in a Caribbean Island. Except he is attempting this voyage in a barrel-like capsule. He said he would like to end up on a French Island as "the paper work would be easier." Amen to that! When the schooner TIKI put into Fort du France, Martinique the tri-color was flying from the flagpole and the Customs Inspector wearing his kepi was all business, checking our passports and our passenger manifest (10 passengers). He doubled as the Port Manager and could make your life easy or otherwise. In the long ago, we had to submit our cargo manifest to the local French Consul before sailing to get stamped and approved. After twenty years consulate duty in China he was pleased to be in Philadelphia but we always sent an escort with our secretary as the old boy had an eye for the ladies.
tjs
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