NavList:

I will be taking a sextant with me from Oakland to Houston in a few weeks time and will try to remember to report back.

Not all state employees are drones. I took the sextant to NZ Customs about a weeks ago to get a Certificate of Export, so I would not have to pay duty on my return. The young lady looked at me quisically when I used the word sextant.
"What is it?"
I opened the case to show her the SNO-T, while explaining that it was a navigational instrument.
"Wow! Isn't it beautiful! It's so... so... antique-looking." (I hadn't the heart to tell her it was half my age.)
"How do you use it?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes. Please."
So I gave her a brief demonstration and let her hold it and look through the telescope. She was so moved that she forgot to check that the serial number I gave her matched the one on the instrument.

Her enthusiasm was very refreshing, so I will take especial note of the reactions of the Department of Home (In-)Security staff in the USA. I have already begun to wonder what they will make of my little plastic bag of laundry powder, that no prudent traveller should be without...

Bill Morris
Pukenui
New Zealand
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