Report: Oct 10, 2010
We never thought it would be so difficult leaving a place full of people we know and places we're familiar with. While driving to the airport our thoughts drifted between "We're going on a grand adventure" to "We can't believe we're leaving so many people behind that we love". In the end our practical side won the debate. The tickets were purchased, our possessions were stored and we believed in our heart of hearts it was the right thing to do for our future.
There was nothing better than seeing Goose's face when we checked our luggage and both his bags weighed more than mine. Seems girls don't always pack more than guys even if they are moving to another country with only two suitcases.
After an extremely long red eye flight where we didn't get much sleep and a small connection in New York we finally arrived in Halifax on Sunday Oct 10th around 1pm. We assumed after the miserable flight our day would be a breeze. Time for a shower, a bite to eat and then sleepy time. It seems customs had a different idea for us though.
Customs in Halifax Airport is laid out fairly well. You first speak to a person at a counter just as you disembark your plane. The officer asked us some simple questions and we felt we responded accordingly. She stamped my passport, welcomed Goose back to his native land and off we went to luggage claim. We rejoiced in our easy passage through customs and almost skipped to the exit door. From here it took a turn for the more stressful. With our two suitcases each in tow we had to go through another customs checkpoint. Normally one is sufficient but our ample baggage made an officer nervous so we were shuttled to a side room where a more serious interview and baggage search is conducted. While waiting behind the dreaded red line on the ground we could hear another passenger going through what we thought was a routine inspection. We missed the beginning of the interview, but this is the point we could hear what was happening:
Officer: "I can look at anything I wish. If I want to look at the pictures on your camera or any files on your laptop I will do so. Now, why were you visiting Egypt?"
Civilian: "I was on holiday visiting relatives."
Officer: "Your passport here states you were there for 6 months. That's more than a holiday. Where will you stay while in Canada?"
Civilian: "I have a home here."
Officer: "Really? Who took care of it while you were away? Did you just abandon it? Did you return to get it ready for any guests that could be following you from Egypt?"
Civilian: "I don't see what these questions have to do with my return to Canada."
Officer: "Follow me into this side room please while we do a more detailed search of your items and continue with a few more questions."
Goose and I stared at each other while listening to the interaction between the customs officer and the civilian traveler. If his thoughts were anything like mine they would have looked like "Oh Shit..."
We were called to a counter within a minute of the other traveler being escorted to the other room. Two officers proceeded to go through our possessions and ask us very similar questions like the first customs checkpoint. They were very nice, excited we were here and even told us some great places to visit. Next thing we knew we were out the door and picking up our rental car. We weren't sure how we go through so easily but the lesson here is always be nice to a customs official or they can make your life a living hell.
After having our hearts racing waiting in the second customs line we decided we deserved a drink and headed to our first brew pub to take in some local culture. My first glimpse of Halifax made me think someone took a shrink ray to San Francisco and moved it to the east coast. It has two bridges heading into town, beautiful lights reflecting off the water and some very distinctive buildings. Goose had done some reconnaissance on a pub called Maxwell's Plum. I'm happy to report that the infamous Keith's Ale that Goose always raved about lived up to it's name. Paired with fried haddock and chips it tasted even better.
Exhaustion finally kicked in and we passed out at 6pm.
Eagle Out
No comments:
Post a Comment