Subject: Re: [BoundaryPoint] Re: CEBT - next Europ. border expedition in August!<br/>
Date: Apr 06, 2004 @ 01:46<br/>
Author: Doug Murray (Doug Murray &lt;doug@dougmurrayproductions.com&gt;)<br/>
<a href="13908.htm">Prev</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Post in Topic&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="13913.htm">Next</a>&emsp;[<a href="topic13901.htm">All</a> Posts]<br/>
<a href="13911.htm">Prev</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Post in Time&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="13913.htm">Next</a><br/>
<br/><br/>
<div id="ygrps-yiv-1074735188">My appearance on CBC Radio was no more than me recalling the incident <br/>
when we ventured from Poland into Belarus without permission.<br/>
<br/>
The incident in question:<br/>
<br/>
We arrived at the BYPL boundary and began exploring.  I can&#39;t recall <br/>
the nearest town, and I am not able to check the map.<br/>
<br/>
However the 2 lane road was blocked... and on the Polish side was a <br/>
sandstrip that crossed the entire roadway.  It was probably 2 metres <br/>
across.<br/>
<br/>
Further up, there was the a change in pavement -- the border -- and a <br/>
white line across the road that marked the boundary.  BY and PL markers <br/>
faced each other.<br/>
<br/>
The road continued as far as the eye could see into BY.  Somewhere in <br/>
the distance there was a BY checkpoint, but we could not see it.<br/>
<br/>
On the PL side, there were some buildings, including one that looked <br/>
like an old office for border officials.<br/>
<br/>
The GBBE group wandered around, and we accidently trod in the sand <br/>
strip.  Shortly thereafter, a Polish border guard came racing up the <br/>
road.  Apparently someone (a local farmer?) called to report us.<br/>
<br/>
He was awfully unhappy -- and it fell to Ann to use her Polish skills <br/>
to explain what we were up to.  They spent several long minutes in the <br/>
guard&#39;s jeep -- discussing the matter.<br/>
<br/>
At one point, we were asked through Ann, if we had entered Belarus <br/>
and/or trod in the sand.  Initially we said no, but when pressed -- and <br/>
threatened with matching our shoes to the footprints in the sandstrip <br/>
-- we admitted that we may have accidentally wandered across the border.<br/>
<br/>
When he asked how many of us accidentally entered BY -- we all nodded <br/>
that we had.<br/>
<br/>
This began more discussions between the guard and Ann.  He also spoke <br/>
many time to his superiors on the radio.<br/>
<br/>
Eventually, he realized we meant no harm.  We all apologized profusely <br/>
to both the guard, the people of Poland, the people of Belarus, and <br/>
most importantly, to Ann.<br/>
<br/>
The incident ended with laugher and goodwill... and a reminder that <br/>
while exploring borders is fun, they are also places of territorial <br/>
integrity -- and must not be treated lightly.<br/>
<br/>
This lesson stayed with us for at least 30 minutes.<br/>
<br/>
Pictures follow...<br/>
<br/>
Cheers,<br/>
<br/>
Doug<br/>
<br/>
BELOW: Looking into Belarus... Polish barricade.</div>