C A N A D A

My apologies if there is little coherence today, my day has been approximately, oh hell, I don't even know how many hours long, and still counting. And the day did not start well. Checking in at Beijing I got the girl in training. She asked for my Visa for Canada. I explained that I didn't need one to enter Canada as a tourist, and if I want to work I get the visa upon entry. OK. Suddenly my not having a Visa for the Sates while only transiting for 2hrs became a BIG problem, even though I don't need one, even if I was staying. They smiled and handed back my passport and said it was not possible to board me on this flight.

"So what do I do now?" I said trying to maintain 'face'.
"You need to get Visa from US Embassy."
"And how do I do that before my flight in 2 hours?"
"Perhaps you do not fly today."
"Can I please speak with your manager??"
I was impressed that the Manager of Northwest came out to speak with me, and we spoke about how I didn't need a visa for a stay for up to 90 days in the states, and it was fairly harsh, not to mention expensive for me if they refused me to fly when they were not 100% sure. Thankfully my small prayers in the time she was double checking were answered, and she confirmed they would let me fly, which by that time I was ecstatic about the prospect of leaving China.

So, Beijing start time 5am, taxi to the airport, 2 hour tense negotiations, eventual 2.5 hr flight to Tokyo with 2hr layover, then 8.5hrs to Portland, Oregon with 2hr layover, then 1hr to Vancouver with a 3 hour wait in line at Immigration where at least I got a really nice officer who didn't ask me any of the curly questions I was expecting. I am so looking forward to a suitable time to go to bed and not get up until 8.45 for the free hostel breakfast.

I'm really pleased to be here, even though I'll have to start looking for a job soon-ish (woe is me...) but I can read everything (or at least have the English translation from French) and I can speak to anyone I want and understand their response, and order bland food again. I might need to re-learn the etiquette for knife and fork use though, and not throw the food scraps on the floor like the previous locals...I'm sure I'll cope.