Customs

When we got to port two U.S. Customs agents came on board and interviewed everyone individually. When it was my turn I handed the agent my US passport and declaration card. His first question was, "Parley voo fransay?" The interview lasted maybe 10 minutes but it seemed much longer. It was like being made to talk to the most boorish clod at a party. "Why do you want to go to China? Why on earth would you want to travel on a freighter? [This was asked in several ways and he still never seemed satisfied with my answers.] How did you even find out such a thing was possible? How much does it cost? How can you afford that on a librarian's pension?" He kept repeating that he had never heard of passengers on a freighter. I got the feeling he was hoping I would break down and confess to being a crew member. Then they searched both passenger cabins thoroughly, after asking us if we had any knives guns or bombs. After they left the captain said to me, "So, you are not a terrorist after all!"

 I don't dispute the fact that they have an important job to do. I'm just irritated about the way they do it. I don't think this behavior makes anyone safer.

Enough. Yesterday I mentioned the good food. Here is a representative sample:

As I write this we are preparing to leave L.A.