Oh Canada, why you gotta treat me so bad

Posted on by Elle

Travel: It’s not all fun and smooth sailing. Once upon a time, Canada gave me an exceedingly hard time at the border crossing.

My entry to Canada wasn’t smooth. I was questioned like everyone else, but then I was singled out for additional inspection. I guess border guard 1 didn’t like the vague answers I gave him, but what do you do when you don’t have specific plans.. Border guard 2 was female, and I thought maybe she would pat me down or something. They took me and my bags to the area between trains and questioned me more while my underwear was on full display.

Guard:  Where are you going?

Me:  Montreal

Guard: What are you going to see?

Me:  I don’t know. I have never been there

Guard:  Where are you staying? — I showed her the name of the hotel I had written in my notebook–

Is this all the information you have

Me:  Yes

Guard:  Do you have a return ticket?

Me:  Yes

Guard:  Can I see it? — I show her the ticket that leaves from Vermont… Guard:  This ticket leaves from Vermont.  How are you getting there?

Me:  I have a friend who is meeting me here for the weekend…

Guard:  I thought you said you don’t know anyone in Montreal.

Me:  I don’t.  She lives in Vermont.

Guard:  How much money do you have?

Me:  about $100

Guard:  Do you have credit cards?

Me:  Yes

Guard: Why do you carry a backpack

It is what I have

Guard:  What is in your backpack?

Clothes, toiletries, camera

Guard:  Do you have any relatives in Colombia?

NO

Guard:  Why did you go to Colombia?

To visit

Guard:  Why did you go to Ecuador?

TO visit

…and so it went on like this for more that 5 minutes. The female guard asking questions while the male guard searched my luggage.  I assume that either I answered questions satisfactorily or they gave up and decided I wasn’t a risk to Canada’s national security nor was I doing or carrying anything illegal. Two hours after schedule the train rolled into a centeral terminal that was basically closed. I made a quick trip to the ATM to get Canadian funds and had to get a taxi because there are no maps in the train station.
So I get to my hotel, and they do not have a record of my reservation–even though I have a paid in full confirmation email. I do get a bed down in the basement, next to the street….not an ideal location, but I was too tired to complain.