Passport query relating to Top Gear "Nativity" episode

[SurreyGuy]

Firstly, what a BRILLIANT episode this was!

However, one thing that was mentioned more than once (but not explained) was that each of the guys had two passports.

Can anyone tell me why that was, please?

[naomi24]

Chris, I repeat, they stamp mine.

[DTCwordfan]

Well I am going to bed now with the cricket on.

For the benefit of Tilly and Corby I shall reprint my original point in politically inert wording so as to make them feel all happy and warm.

To get into Israel you can't (or use to be that you couldn't) have any stamp of Muslim denomination other than Egypt in it and vica versa in travelling the other way around -the only exemption being for the Jerusalem Cairo link. So what one does (or used to do) is fly London - Cairo on a 'Muslim only' passport and have the Israeli passport DHLed out to your Cairo hotel. And then into Jerusalem. If you are travelling on into the M-East, fly back to Cairo and pick your designated 'Muslim countries'-only passport up from the hotel safe back in Cairo.

Yawn yes, joke perhaps yes, necessity to do this and in having two passports yes....and also it applies to some other sensitive countries in the world and visiting them as part of a multi-nation business trip.


(With advice taken from aluminary websites such as the Race Relations Board and the Foreign Office). And also avoiding the use of non-words.

[sandyRoe]

Naomi, your doppelganger may be a Russian mole beavering away at the Pentagon defences in the USA

[Buenchico]

James May? Quite attractive? Have you SEEN his passport photo? ;-)
http://i51.tinypic.com/2j61i8j.jpg

[THECORBYLOON]

Wonder how well the "English" would be doing in the cricket if it weren't for the Irish and South African born players?

[naomi24]

Sandy, waddya mean doppelganger? ;o)

[237SJ]

Buenchico LOL funnily enough he looks better there than he does with the long hair!

[DTCwordfan]

The mind boggles Sandy - and sorry to hear about the inevitable hassle you had, naomi. I had mine (one of them to the pedantics out there) stolen in Paris when I lived there and was so fortunate to have a contact in the Brit Embassy. She got it turned around within the week - when there was a strike on back in the UK......I was lucky though and can't imagine being on a visit and having it lifted.

[sandyRoe]

Sorry. :-( Slack use of language. Doppelganger being a class of ghost.

[THECORBYLOON]

A doppelganger need not be a ghost as far as I'm aware.

[naomi24]

DT, the staff at the British Consulate in Rome are superb! I had no details of my passport - nor of my driving licence which also disappeared - but nevertheless within the day I was fully kitted out and legal and ready for the following day's drive to my next destination.

Sandy, nah ....... I read that as double..... James Bond, eat your heart out!!

[naomi24]

Incidentally, since that time when travelling abroad I have always taken a photocopy of any important documents with me. Take note!!

[DTCwordfan]

Nice to hear and I know from living in 'not so easy countries' they, the Embassy and Consulate staff, went out of their way to handle problems efficiently or to give advice to visitors be they tourists or on business. China was one of these countries I have had experience of.

The French weren't bad either and also the Dutch.............

[mightyWBA]

You're very bitter towards the English aren't you Corby?(which I believe is in Northamptonshire,England)..........You're dislike of us stems from hundreds of years ago....let it lie.
I don't see many "Native Australians" in their side :-)

[sandyRoe]

"A doppelganger need not be a ghost as far as I'm aware."

I'm showing my ignorance. Night all.

[DTCwordfan]

Good advice, naomi, as I too had back up photocopies to the loss of my passport and I also lost my id card and driving licence when living near Paris. It certainly helped in dealing with all levels of the French admin.............

[naomi24]

I don't believe you're entirely wrong Sandy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doppelg%C3%A4nger

[THECORBYLOON]

I was referring to the following comment, "I want to turn this pc over to Radio 5 Sports and go and listen to the Test Match so as to enjoy a little of the English working over our ex-colonial mates, a rare event of pleasure I will accept." I'd have had no problem if he had said "England" rather than "the English"

[SurreyGuy]

Thanks for all your input guys and gals.

I'll be unsubscribing from this "fight" now :o)