"Blame Canada!"

Todrick and I started our road trip from Seattle to Toronto, Canada, on Saturday, Aug. 20, at about 8 a.m. Our plan was to drive through Eastern Washington to Spokane and then North to the Canadian border. Everything went according to plan – until we got to the border. It was a small, not very busy border, run by women. We expected to be questioned about the purpose of our trip, how long we were planning to stay in Canada, if the dog has all the papers, if we have any drugs, etc. Everybody knows the routine, right? Well, their first question, however, was, whose car I am driving and what am I going to do with the car in Toronto? At this point I was still certain, that everything was gonna go fine because, after all, I had sold the car on e-bay and the buyer was supposed to pick it up in Toronto. Well, the border control did not like that and said she needs some sort of proof. So, I told her that all I need to do is pull up my e-bay site and show her the sale of the car. And now the waiting started! First we had to go into the immigration’s office, where, after the same questions again, we got a permit that would allow us to stay in Canada until Aug. 30, our departure date. On this date we have to submit the permit to the customs officer at the airport in Toronto. All this already took about an hour because these people were taking their time! Then the focus went back to the car. Who is the buyer? Where is he from? How is he going to get the car? Do you have his phone number? Yes, I did. The officer called him. I didn’t hear their conversation, but apparently he told her that yes, he bought the car but now he doesn’t know how to get to Toronto to pick it up! What??? So, I talked to him on the phone and reminded him that the purchase of the car is a contract that he has to fulfill. Well, it was useless because the damage was already done. The Canadians said they couldn’t let us in unless they know exactly what’s going to happen with the car! Needless to say at this point – after at least two hours at the border with Toni in the car waiting – we were pretty pissed off. But we had to make a decision. We decided to turn around, drive through Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois to Detroit, Michigan – instead of going through Canada. When I informed the “border women” about our plan, one of them showed concern about our lovely e-bay buyer and whether or not I’m gonna inform him of the change of plans! I almost had to laugh in her face. The other woman looked me into the eye and said: “Just to let you know. Do NOT try to get this car across the border because if you do, we will seize it! Do you understand?”

I understand. Completely. But what they don’t understand is that I really don’t give a damn about this car and who gets it.

Happy travels!
Sarina