Passports, travel and the Chinese

I travel a lot for my job and have done for over ten years. Some people would find the schedule grueling, however I generally enjoy it, when it does not sneak into the weekends.

I have a few habits which are specifically related to airports and business travel.
The first is what I read. I always pick up newspapers when I am in an airport. This is probably because they are free of charge in most business lounges, but I really do look forward to the broadblatt and flicking through the long pages. I always learn lots of new things and see things from other angles. Clearly I also have the time to read all the articles, even the small ones in the back, which undoubtedly contributes to the overall positve experience!

The second thing I typically do is spend time actually looking at my passport. It's the only time I ever examine the pages, look at the border control stamps, study the photo and really look at every detail.

So this week, I have been on four planes and here are my observations.

1. I like my passport. In the front it reads "Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State Requests and requires in the Name of Her Majesty all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford the bearer such assistance and protection as may be necessary."  I was at first surprised at the use of capital letters and the punctuation, it somehow seemed wrong, but that aside, I really liked the way it sounded. My country was asking for me to be looked after when traveling. That felt good. Not sure whether they ever will protect me should I be in the unfortunate position where I need their help, but right now it feels reassuring. Thank you your Majesty.

2. The newspaper. Today's article that grabbed me was about passports. The Chinese have printed a map of China in their new passports, which on the surface seems pretty reasonable and benign. However on their map, they have included territories that disputably belong to Taiwan, India and Vietnam.  
Hilarious. You gotta love their audacity! Maybe not the best way to solve international disputes and nurture relations.

So that's the blog for today. Travel, habits and passports. So go look at your passport, what will your country do when you need help? Let me know.

PS. There was no Airport fury today as I wore my wig! I flew through.