Airplanes, trains, goats, France, oh my!

[oregon pioneer]

It is more like they don't care if you leave the country but they want to make absolutely sure that you are eligible for entering the country. The bags just incidentally go for the ride attached to you, and sometimes they care to check what you are bringing in, but that is usually quite rare. Just your little declaration on a form that you are not being naughty is enough to satisfy them.

:giggle:

I think they will be way more worried about any germs I am bringing from the farm, than about anything I might buy (I certainly can't afford much). I did some more research about the farm animal questions, and it will probably satisfy them that I am not going from a farm in France to a farm in the US. They will, of course, want to see my shoes and probably disinfect them. I wonder what kind of solution they use.

 

[oregon pioneer]

As promised, I am reporting back on the trip. I had a great time, posted my photos (including a few train photos) to facebook. Didn't get to take the TGV this time. The regional train was just so much more direct, and had only three stops. Here's the public link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200669530656499&type=1&l=4dcf936bbb (you do not need to be on facebook to see photos with this link).

I did wear the compression socks, and my feet felt much better than after other long flights I had done in the past. No swelling or achiness. I also used a butt-cushion (made like a backpack mattress, but smaller) on any seat that felt hard. This made sleeping (which I did at every opportunity) much easier.

The last photo in the album is me throwing away my shoes before leaving the farm. When I went through customs, with my declaration form honestly filled out, they steered me to the USDA inspection station. There I assured them that the only shoes I was bringing back in were my "tourist sandals" as the farm ones had been thrown away. The agent (who was friendly and efficient) also queried me about whether I lived in a rural area "with cows and sheep." I answered that I did, but I only had cats and chickens at my place. That satisfied her, and I was allowed to proceed with all my stuff intact (including the bag of stone-ground organic bread flour from the local market, which did not seem to interest them at all).