It will never snow in Florida
So the adventure to Southwest Florida began on Saturday January 7, 2007. I flew on Air Canada and my journey started at the Calgary International Airport. My flight took off around 7AM and headed for Toronto. On the flight I was able to watch the latest Kevin Costner film, 'The Guardian.' Why does it seem like every film Costner has made since Dances with Wolves runs for ever and always reaches a point where you think to yourself: 'That is an acceptable way to end the film, it must be over.' Yet the film continues on for another half hour. Maybe its just me. Anyway that was not the highlight of the trip. That would come in Toronto.
I was kind of stressing during my flight because I wanted to take two bags on as carry on just so I would be sure to have everything I wanted when I arrived in Florida. However the bags were about the same size and Air Canada says we are only allowed one carry on luggage item, plus a personal item like a briefcase. Luckily I was able to get both on the ole plane in Calgary, but when we arrived in Toronto I had all the same worries again. That would be the least of my troubles though . As I was flying to Toronto I realized that I forgot to find out the address of where I was staying in Florida from my sister. Add to this that I had yet to receive my new passport before departure and you had the cocktail for trouble from U.S. Customs and Immigration and Homeland Security or whatever else they call themselves. I tried to get the address before going through customs and called my parents hoping they knew something, but no luck, plus we couldn't get a hold of my sister, who was already in Florida. Anyway I knew the town I was going to and so took my chances going through customs hoping I would not be tackled or face a strip search. Fun. Anyway while I was waiting in line to face scrutiny there was some plainclothes RCMP hovering around the man in front of me. This guys eventually gets a pass to the front of the line after a few conversations with airport security. That's when I realize that it is former New Brunswick premier and Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Frank McKenna. Wow, I was this close to greatness. Anyway that was the fun part. The lecture was coming.
So when I get to the Customs Agent I am asked for my passport and declaration. I say I don't have my passport yet and he is completely shocked. 'what do you mean you don't have your passport?' Then he looks at my declaration form and sees I have only listed
Naples, Florida as my destination and is not happy that I don't know the exact address. My explanation that I was meeting my sister and her boyfriend was also not satisfactory. So he stamped something on my declaration card and I was given a piece of paper explaining I needed a passport to fly into the U.S. Of course that would not be for another 2 weeks. Relax eh. Of course I did not feel the need to have my ass kicked by a group of airport or custom officials. I was going on holiday. So holding back the sarcasm I made it through and everything was savvy. On the other side I also noticed another so-so celebrity. Carl Lindros. Whoo hoo.
)
So the rest of my travel day was uneventful. My plane was a bit delayed because of a head wind. But I arrived at the Fort Myers Airport where my sister was waiting to greet me. We headed for Naples, which was a half hour south , and the Walmart Supercenter to get our salt water fish licenses. That's right people. We're going fishing. So that's the story so far. Day two of Florida takes me to the Gulf of Mexico. Aren't you excited, I know I wasn't, but that all changed once we hit the water. . 
Stay tuned for more adventures of the Bearded Backpacker, sans beard, in Florida.
Later
So the adventure to Southwest Florida began on Saturday January 7, 2007. I flew on Air Canada and my journey started at the Calgary International Airport. My flight took off around 7AM and headed for Toronto. On the flight I was able to watch the latest Kevin Costner film, 'The Guardian.' Why does it seem like every film Costner has made since Dances with Wolves runs for ever and always reaches a point where you think to yourself: 'That is an acceptable way to end the film, it must be over.' Yet the film continues on for another half hour. Maybe its just me. Anyway that was not the highlight of the trip. That would come in Toronto.
I was kind of stressing during my flight because I wanted to take two bags on as carry on just so I would be sure to have everything I wanted when I arrived in Florida. However the bags were about the same size and Air Canada says we are only allowed one carry on luggage item, plus a personal item like a briefcase. Luckily I was able to get both on the ole plane in Calgary, but when we arrived in Toronto I had all the same worries again. That would be the least of my troubles though . As I was flying to Toronto I realized that I forgot to find out the address of where I was staying in Florida from my sister. Add to this that I had yet to receive my new passport before departure and you had the cocktail for trouble from U.S. Customs and Immigration and Homeland Security or whatever else they call themselves. I tried to get the address before going through customs and called my parents hoping they knew something, but no luck, plus we couldn't get a hold of my sister, who was already in Florida. Anyway I knew the town I was going to and so took my chances going through customs hoping I would not be tackled or face a strip search. Fun. Anyway while I was waiting in line to face scrutiny there was some plainclothes RCMP hovering around the man in front of me. This guys eventually gets a pass to the front of the line after a few conversations with airport security. That's when I realize that it is former New Brunswick premier and Canadian Ambassador to the U.S. Frank McKenna. Wow, I was this close to greatness. Anyway that was the fun part. The lecture was coming.
So when I get to the Customs Agent I am asked for my passport and declaration. I say I don't have my passport yet and he is completely shocked. 'what do you mean you don't have your passport?' Then he looks at my declaration form and sees I have only listed
Naples, Florida as my destination and is not happy that I don't know the exact address. My explanation that I was meeting my sister and her boyfriend was also not satisfactory. So he stamped something on my declaration card and I was given a piece of paper explaining I needed a passport to fly into the U.S. Of course that would not be for another 2 weeks. Relax eh. Of course I did not feel the need to have my ass kicked by a group of airport or custom officials. I was going on holiday. So holding back the sarcasm I made it through and everything was savvy. On the other side I also noticed another so-so celebrity. Carl Lindros. Whoo hoo.
Stay tuned for more adventures of the Bearded Backpacker, sans beard, in Florida.Later
No comments:
Post a Comment