AMERICA

America: not an easy country to get into. Not when you happen to want to spend 6 months there, rather than the usual weekend or two week jaunt.
The drive to the border was mostly uneventful. Great snacks prepared by Jack in the morning, fantastic soft cheese and some scolding hot salami. There was one Tim Horton’s drive through. The plan had been to cross in Sarnia, probably a low level, low stress border crossing. Some how we completely missed switching off of the 401 at London, probably when I was reeling in shock when Jack informed me his last Canadian dollars went to Beef Jerky, there was also a time we lost consentration when Jack almost side swiped a Mounted Police Officer getting out of her car. But as navigator I failed the team. So we had to cross in Windsor/Detroit. The city of Detroit always blows my mind, sitting as it does beside the much more subtle Windsor. How does/did this happen- suddenly skyscrapers jut up, up, up Thousands of people, race issues, riots, Mowtown, the White Stripes, Eminem, Kid Rock, House Music, Ford, GM, little Mexico. It seems to me that there, in that small space between the beginning and the end of the Ambassador Bridge, lies the answers to the ultimate question- how are we different. This is where the study should begin and end.

And so we did not make our first run at the border, Jack was turned back. Spirits quickly grew very dark. The power dynamic at border crossings is always a big fat drag. All we want to do is travel through their country, spend money, and enjoy what they have to offer and yes, sure ultimately try and find fault in their power and successes. The border guard is the most threatening of all Americans. He or she, has the power to ruin not only your day but the next 1, 2 or 24 weeks of or all of your life. You catch them on a good day and everything can run smooth, a bad day( an who knows what contributes tio that, job, domestic stuff, bad burger) and you might as well toss out your entrails for all the good it will do you.

Jack has told the sad story of our double attempt at America. During both daring daylight attempts Jack was called into the office and I was left in the waiting area. 1st attempt I was left looking over the “Bird Flu and you” posters- more info at www.Pandemicflu.gov, brought to me by National Defense University? (who are the NDU alumni?) The second time we made an attempt I was not alone in the waiting area but joined by five other folks. Three were hip hop looking black men from Detroit who had just made an attempt to get into Canada but one actually had no ID on him at all, so when they got stopped them on their way back home, moments later,- same troubles, ”No ID, at all???”, He just shrugged at the officer, “How do I even know you are American?", The other two friends did not look impressed especially after being brought into the back room for what looked like a couple of full body searches. The other two folks joining me in my wait- two extras from "Easy Rider", a man and lady couple who were “just friends” he said; she American, he Canadian, both on their way to California- like us, When questioned about work and pay stubs the dude seemed to have all his paperwork in a bowling ball bag. Their status: seemed like love, but who knows. They walked away but the three gents were still there when we left. And yes we did leave, we made it into the mighty USA- it was 7pm, we had arrived at the border at 3. Jack was a sress mess most of the time, and I have to admit I was wondering what I would do once we both got back to Toronto with our tails between our legs no steaks of any ounce and no more reason to Blog. During the whole process I my main focus was to keep the mood light and distract Jack from the possibility of NO ENTRY, NO TRIP and NO MEG. But even I was having my doubts during our second attempt.