Moon and Liz visit Canada

[moonshadow]

Well, and so it happened, that on the first of March, in the year twenty-twenty five, Moon and his wife Liz, for the first time (in Moon's life anyway) stepped foot on foreign soil.

Full disclosure, this was meant to be a TRIAL RUN. We really didn't have any particular objective, other than make it across the border, ride around a little and get a feel for the roads, traffic, etc, and test the credit card to make sure it worked (not triggering any fraud alerts, seeing how it posted on my statement, etc). We left Rufus at home, but brought his paperwork to see if it would suffice. Per the border control officer, it would.

Things I've learned....

1) Border control officers might be the most unpleasant people I've ever dealt with. It is a satisfying feeling getting as far away from the checkpoint as possible. [0]

2) It is surprisingly easy to acclimate to reading the little numbers of your speedometer (kilometers per hour). Speed limits seem to be set around the same as those in the States for their various types of roads. I got excited when I saw "100kph" then looked down to see what the little number read and then... oh.

3) Money is weird. I have a hard time wrapping my head around it, considering the exchange rate. I got quite a bit of sticker shock at first when we ordered two plates of "fish and chips" at a cost of $51 (tip included), only to get home and after the exchange rate was applied, the actual (USD) charge was about $35. So that wasn't so bad.

4) Fuel is priced in liters. Nope... that's NOT $1.71 per gallon.

5) Canada really likes traffic cameras, and their yellows are shorter. (be careful)

6) Still not sure about the flashing green arrows. Applied "when in Rome" logic on that one. Same goes for "right turn on red".

7) I didn't have a lot of human interactions, but the few I did have seemed average (save for the border dude, who was a d*ck). I got a nice compliment on my macabi skirt from a woman at some Canadian Super Store.

I think I'd like Canada a lot more if I can find the rural areas. I'm not much on urban environments, and unfortunately that's all we had time for today. I think I need about a week to plunge myself deep into B.C. and do some real exploring.

9) I'll probably go back, but not for a while. The border thing makes me uncomfortable. I can't help but think if I give one wrong answer, they'd whisk me away never to be heard from again...

[0] I've read border control officers can be nasty at times, border crossings are basically islands where you have very few rights, but I think, if I'm being fair, I decided to bring Jax (my old 2002 sportage), with its rusty undercarriage, rattly catalytic converter, and missing tail pipe, the agent had to yell to be heard over it... I'm really surpised they let me in at all... the car just says "yeah, I'm definitely smugglin' rock and fentanyl".

.... and yes, we got called in for an inspection... we passed though.

[Mouse]

9) I'll probably go back, but not for a while. The border thing makes me uncomfortable. I can't help but think if I give one wrong answer, they'd whisk me away never to be heard from again...

Well if a certain guy has his way, it may just be a State line in a week or two.......

[FranTastic444]

I've visited Canada from the US as a holidaymaker on my UK passport, on an L1 visa, on a green card and on a US passport. I've had good experiences and I've had not so good experiences. I've had a young female border officer throw my passport at me whilst uttering "get out of my sight". I've had a male officer put his hand on his gun when I pulled a move he wasn't happy with. I've been through additional screening on more than one occasion. Oddly, I've had as much if not more trouble going through US pre-clearance at Canadian airports on the way back home to the US.

The reason that I've faced some challenges, I think, is that many of my trips have been work-related and the Canadians are very particular about not wanting people from south of the border to ride into town and take their jobs.

Canada is a lovely place. Once through immigration, I've had an overwhelmingly positive experience of my time there (one minor blemish when a drunken teenage yob tried to fight me). I certainly wouldn't let your experience (or what I'm writing here) put you off future visits.

My top tips for a visit to Canada from the US (particularly relates to driving over the border) -

1. Take no weapons (get bear spray locally if you are hiking and leave hunting knives at home)
2. Preferably, take no food - or at least understand the latest regs
3. Understand the latest regs if you are taking the pooch (they have changed recently, I believe)
4. Have one designated person in the car to answer questions. Do not both chip in with answers or expand on (or even contradict) what the other person said
5. Keep your answers as short and as concise as possible. The more you say, the more they are likely to have follow-up questions for you
6. Try to treat the interaction neutrally. If you look stressed or agitated, they might feel that something is off
7. Have your answers ready for the common questions that get asked (see text below)

Edited to add, when I drive over the border I make sure I have a note from my insurance company that states I'm insured to drive in Canada.

From Google AI -

[crfriend]

My father and I visited Canada (the Maritimes) in 1985 or so and had nary a problem at the border. I was questioned about the new and fancy camera and the Canadian border guard suggested I declare it on the American side to avoid a possible hassle on the return. True, the Canadians tossed the car pretty well and my father and I got asked several times if we had any weapons with us (we looked the part, I guess) and we kept answering, "No." adding on the last one, "other than our pocket-knives", and got cleared through.

We found the scenery spectacular, the citizenry very warm and pleasant, the food good, and the beer pretty cheap. The pace of life in Canada was an eye-opener for both of us, because we spend our lives running on a hamster-wheel and going nowhere. Perhaps the most civilised comment I've ever heard was in Saint Anthony (Newfoundland) when we arrived at a local bar and found it packed -- when one of the locals chimed up, "Would you two like your share of the bar?", and a spot just wide enough for the two of us magically opened.

The only hint of trouble during the whole time, I brought on by accidentally moving fast around one of the locals and startled him. That was entirely unintentional and I immediately offered an apology and that was that.

Would I do it again? Likely, but given the current clime what with Trump threatening to annex Canada (which would result in a fight), I'd think twice. I don't imagine US citizens are particularly popular there at the moment.

[moonshadow]

The border experience was jarring, but I know that the officer was just doing his job.

His job is to protect Canada and keep trouble makers out. I wasn't really offended, but I can't honestly say I was prepared for it. I will be next time.

Yes, he was a jerk, but he has to be. There are A LOT of people out there that are out to cause problems, and he doesn't know me from Adam. I couldn't do what he does. I have a very friendly nature when dealing with the public and I'm generally not confrontational. Unfortunately a person in his situation HAS TO BE. He is an asset to the Canadian nation.

Anyway... this is why it was a trial run. We had to learn the ins and outs, and we walked away with knowledge and a better understanding of the expectations, so I can say with fairness... mission accomplished. Canada is probably the friendliest of U.S. allies (for now), so it was a good practice run to learn what to expect. Better to do it this way, rather than to plan some week long getaway, complete with reservations and real money on the line, only to be detained or hassled because we didn't do something or say something correctly.

I was actually somewhat surprised that I got back into the U.S. so easily. Aside from the wait in the car line, it was pretty seamless. I showed our passports to the camera, pulled up, he asked where we were going, I said "going home", and he asked if we were declaring anything (we didn't buy anything other than a meal), I said "no", and he waved us through and said "have a nice day". Which was good because I had to pee REALLY bad.

Which brings me to another tip I learned... DO NOT ENTER A BORDER CROSSING WHEN YOU HAVE TO USE THE RESTROOM.

Anyway, I was honestly expecting some scrutiny considering the state of things right now between the two countries. I mean to be fair, what I did was HIGHLY suspect of illegal smuggling. Two people, enter Canada for a couple of hours, and come right back. You gotta admit, it's suspicious. I would imagine the Washington plate helped, and I imagine they ran my plate while sitting in line and knew we were "local".

It would be interesting to see how the experience would have been with a Texas, or even Californian plate, as both states border Mexico.

9)

I'll probably go back, but not for a while. The border thing makes me uncomfortable. I can't help but think if I give one wrong answer, they'd whisk me away never to be heard from again...

Well if a certain guy has his way, it may just be a State line in a week or two.......

I don't think that's going to happen. And it shouldn't. Canadian sovereignty is something I'm sure they are proud of (and they should be). Canada is fine the way it is.

In fairness, the thought did occur to me while driving around the Province.... it would take a Kings Random (pardon the pun) to Americanize Canada. The infrastructure alone, would cost hundreds of billions of dollars to get switched over to the American system. And I'm not just talking about changing everything over to English units (miles per hour, gallons of gas, etc) Everything, right down to how the roads are built, the signage, so on and so forth... it's similar enough that a Yank like myself can find his way around, but still different. I read a few reddit comments about the experience from Americans exploring Canada and vice versa being in like an "alternate reality", whereas things are very similar, and yet strikingly different. But not just the roads, the courts, the police, fire, other essential services, and I'm not sure how Canadians would feel about our medical system (though one might hope we would adopt the Canadian system in this process).

Nah... Trump was talking out of his ass on that one. Plus, for Canada to be just "one big state" is VERY unreasonable, even if both sides seriously considered it. It would make more sense to bring the Canadian Provinces in as individual states (e.g. the State of British Columbia, State of Alberta, etc). But again, that's just me having fun with the hypothetical thought. It doesn't stand a snowballs chance in hell of happening. Put plainly, the United States can't afford Canada.

Would I do it again? Likely, but given the current clime what with Trump threatening to annex Canada (which would result in a fight), I'd think twice. I don't imagine US citizens are particularly popular there at the moment.

My car is obviously American (with the Washington Plate and it's "American stickers" on the back. I saw a lot of road rage, but none seemingly directed towards me. Driving around Surrey reminded me of driving around southern Florida. They definitely like to honk and flip each other off. My lack of being on the receiving end of honks and middle fingers may have been due to me being clearly from "out of town", and they took it easy on me, or maybe I'm just that good of a driver.. Or maybe I just got really lucky... yeah, it was probably that!

Ha! I figure the other Canadian motorist took one look at my rattly old car and said to their children.. "see kids, they're poor down there in the U.S. children starving and so on, be kind to them, they have it tough..."

Unlikely as it is, your comment about the political climate between the two nations was one of the reasons I wanted to scratch this off my bucket list. Due to my current location, Canada is the easiest border crossing I can experiment with and learn from, and still make it back in time for supper. The way things are going, before long, the only country we'll be welcome in will be Russia.

After mulling it over, I don't think I will even attempt to bring Rufus in. Animals are considered property in the U.S. and I imagine the same holds true for Canada. I simply can not risk a situation where Rufus is confiscated and never returned to us (and likely euthanized). He's our little pup, but he can be viscous. He likes to bite and has been known to attack. Even here in the States we have to be careful where we take him. It's not worth the risk, especially for a casual visit.

[moonshadow]

Also, let the say that after this experience, I don't think I'd support the western States becoming part of Canada. It's nothing against Canada.

I repeat...

IT'S NOTHING AGAINST CANADA!

My entire family, my roots, my hometown, everything that made me who I am is over in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It is "my mother home", and it's also "my mother's home". As I explained to Liz last night, even here in Washington, I still consider Virginia my true "home". Washington is also my home, but it's like a "child home" (whereas Virginia would be the "mother home".)

I would HATE to have to go through this border patrol process every single time I wanted to return home to visit my homeland, my family, etc.

I said it before I even tried this, (and it is documented on this website), that if it were ever put to a referendum vote, I'd vote to stay with the Union.

The only thing that has changed since yesterday is prior to this experience, I always said if the Pacific coast portion of the U.S. were to join Canada, I'd just become a Canadian citizen (I guess..). That sentiment has changed.

Right now, if the land under my feet were to become Canadian soil, I'd move back... immediately. No if's and's or but's.

I respect Canada, and again, I've got nothing against the Nation, but my citizenship and ALLEGIANCE is to the United States. Now and forever.

[Faldaguy]

Congratulations on the first step to the greater world. Sure, you can read about, watch videos, see international sporting events, but little compares to being in a foreign country. (Sadly, too many people think a week at a five star resort or going to a McDonalds in Mexico is a cross-cultural achievement ---it is not.

I smiled at your observations thinking back over half a century ago when I made my first trip into Canada, and effectively my first 'foreign' journey from the US. Since that time I've lived in Canada for 12 years, I even draw a token pension from that time; have two sisters who came to visit their big brother, met Canucks, married and still live there -- also their "first" foreign stop from the US. Our daughter has elected to return to Canada given the changes in the political climate in the US (she shared WA State with you as her home for many years) -- despite our literally hundreds of border crossings, by land, air, and ferry -- I can only say border are rarely fun anywhere. Frankly, I find TSA at the US airports far more 'nasty' than most international border/customs/immigration folk. The advise from others in this thread is valid -- know the rules ahead; short direct answers; pleasant/calm and no 'smart' remarks.

There is vastly more to see, learn, enjoy and be surprised about in Canada, as in most countries (at least of the 70 or so I've visited) -- much pleasure and education to be had for not too many shekels when so close to home. I fully concur, Surrey is not a marvel of scenery or traffic delights. Vancouver and its suburbs are 'just another big city' yet it too has its delights -- from Blacks beach to Stanley Park -- to raise a few eyebrows! Try the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to the Bowen Island -- 15 minutes -- from where with a permanent population of about 300 we watched the world go by and our St .Bernard wandered the island -- and sometime onto the ferry, but the crew knew which side to let him off on! Or, take the ferry to Nanaimo on the Vancouver Island -- get a famous Nanaimo Bar (yummy) and then take a loop back via Victoria or north into the wilderness. Enjoy, but don't make pledges about any country before you've had a few months, or a year on the ground in various parts -- lest you curtail a lot of what life may offer.

On the silly front -- I'd still opt for Canada offering to annex WA, OR and CA!

[Skirt18220]

Moon. Welcome to Canada. For more rural area try crossing at Sumas/Abbotsford. A right on Highway 1 gets you nothing but countryside. It's a good time for Americans to visit. exchange rate is very beneficial.
I live in Ontario now but lived in Alberta for 20 years. spent a lot of time in the B.C. mountains.

[6ft3Aussie]

Congrats on your first foray outside the USA.

As for border customs, bio-security and immigration, you do get the odd one that's got out of bed on the wrong side, and will go through you and pick everything apart.
I've been through the process more times than I can remember and in the (and I'm having to think about this) 9 countries whose borders I've crossed, the only times I've had anyone ask questions was once in Singapore, and coming in and out of Australia and New Zealand, and one time when I arrived back into Australia at about 7am after not having any sleep in about 36 hours.
Most of the time, as long as you don't look stressed or particularly nervous, they do their job and off you go.
Even entering and USA at LAX I didn't receive any particular attention, although the guy at the immigration desk did ask me a question that a smart ass could have played with a little, that being "What has brought me to the United States today" even after a 13 hour flight, and half a second of thought, the answer I gave was the reason for my visit...rather than what brought me there, which was, in fact a Boeing 747-400.... He may not have appreciated what, technically was the correct answer to his question.

[nickbergens]

Seems like a great experience. Congratulations