Crossing Borders

(For my Chorus following – that could be the line in a song …)

Germany to Czech was seamless. You know you’ve reached CZE by the numerous Casino signs.

Czech to Slovakia was confusing. I knew I had to buy a motorway pass at the border. Stopped at the signed office – only to find I was still in CZE and they wanted Czech money. A further 5 km farther on (and I don’t recall seeing a border sign) there was the Slovak office so I could pay in Euros.

Slovakia to Austria. Again I needed to buy a motorway pass … but hang on, I’m in Austria already. Where was the border? (As it turned out I didn’t need the pass that first day anyway.)

Austria to Germany.  Now we’re getting more serious. Long slow queues and a chicane of barriers and myriad police but no one actually being stopped.

Germany to France. A half-hearted chicane and a sign for police but none in attendance.

But hey! I’m in France. Not really prepared for this. I’ve been pretty comfortable with 3 weeks of German (in Czech if they don’t speak English then they could manage German). Should have brushed up on my non-existent French. The motorway signage is a mystery. Hardly ever accompanied by pictures. And the receptionist at my hotel-apartment place had less English than I have French! It’s going to be an interesting 2 weeks.