Nervous Laughter

Dept: The tension starts about three hours from the frontier. Things get quiet in the car except for isolated bouts of small talk punctuated by nervous laughter as we reassure each other that our papers are indeed in order, according to Vancouver Sun. Approaching the post, remove sun-glasses so they can see you have eye-balls. Be friendly, but not overly. Attempt a word or two in the local language and border posts have always been something I like to view in the rear-view mirror, especially during one of those timed endurance drives I've done that involved some of the world's most desolate border crossings. At some borders thoughtful interior goody placement is advisable. Fish out a pack of Marlboros and lay them on the dashboard in plain view. Make sure the person who the vehicle is registered to is driving. Tidy up the interior and make sure an attractive souvenir pen is hanging out of your pocket. Keep the carton of Marlboros and the case of souvenir pens out of sight. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.