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sharktooth
Junior Nomad
Posts: 56
Registered: 2-5-2010
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Glad Mexico border crossing is nothing like Canada!
Slightly off topic here - but could be relevant for some of you who drive from Baja - to the US - to Canada.
WARNING - driving across the border into Canada is NOTHING like crossing into Mexico.
I'm here on Salt Spring Island, BC for a quick stay, and holy cow, the Canadian border officials are hardcore.
I was expecting to flash my passport and smile and drive through - but no, I had to pull over into the waiting station for over an hour of
interigation and vehicle searches. They took my keys and wallet, then made me sit in an office while they searched my car without me around.
They really flipped when they found 500 pesos in my wallet from a recent Baja trip - that set off the drug running alarm bells.
I love Canada - and once past the border, all is good. The border officials were professional and doing their job - but it really caught me off guard
how serious the border crossing is these days. (Another guy waiting with me got denied access due to a 30 year old felony they pulled up)
So be PREPARED if you are driving into Canada. Times have changed. A smile and wave doesn't get you through anymore - and get your story ready so
you don't start carelessly blabbing and say stuff that will raise red flags - get your dates and purpose together - they didn't like to hear that I
had no plans and was just coming to hang out for a 'while'.
BC coast in summer and Baja in winter is not a bad way to live.
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BajaBruno
Super Nomad
Posts: 1035
Registered: 9-6-2006
Location: Back in CA
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Mood: Happy
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I was treated like that at the Canadian border 25 years ago, and I was a fairly upstanding citizen then. 
As you say, the real Canadians are wonderful people, but the border experience left a rather bad taste for me. I haven't been back since.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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Finaddict
Junior Nomad
Posts: 35
Registered: 2-1-2009
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border
Which border crossing? I had a simular experience 2 yrs. ago...pull over with many questions. My friend had a DUI 15 yrs ago and they would not let
him enter. He had a boat and all his fishing gear. He had been going on this trip for yrs. before.
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sharktooth
Junior Nomad
Posts: 56
Registered: 2-5-2010
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Not sure of the name - but it was the one just north of Bellingham, WA - believe it was the furthest west crossing. - then jumped on the ferry to Salt
Spring...sounds like all border crossings are the same - and all use the same computers.
Yep, DUIs are instant denial of access - don't even try to enter Canada if you have a DUI or any felony.
The poor guy next to me was driving to Alaska to get married - and his felony from 30 years ago squashed his plans.
They only gave me 10 days in Canada because I could not give them a reason why I was coming to Canada besides checking it out.
BTW - I made the BIG MISTAKE of mentioning I was considering moving to Canada - thought it could make a nice summer home. They flipped - and asked me
"what makes you think we want you to live here?" I said, "are you trying to make me cry?" - they did not find that amusing...so it was 'yes, mam. no,
mam' from there on out.
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Nan&D
Nomad
Posts: 137
Registered: 2-28-2010
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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Even being arrested will deny a Canadian access to the US.
Never mind being convicted.
D
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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I guess it's just a trait of the trade. Border Dorks are everywhere.
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SiReNiTa
Special Correspondent
Posts: 881
Registered: 5-5-2006
Location: Ensenada, B.C.S.
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Mood: Savoring life while saving the world!
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I think you hit the nail on the head Dennis!!
But then, crossing in to Mexico is usually a little too easy whether walking or
driving in to Mexico, very rarely do they check you (car or documents)...is this a good or bad thing I wonder sometimes.....
Live life as well as you can,
don\'t regret the things that once made you smile,
learn from your mistakes,
and thank God for every second he gives you upon this earth.
Visit me at
Http://BajaScents.Scentsy.com.mx
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by SiReNiTa
But then, crossing in to Mexico is usually a little too easy whether walking or
driving in to Mexico, very rarely do they check you (car or documents)...is this a good or bad thing I wonder sometimes..... |
Not when you enter Mexico from Guatemala by car----that is a real different experience ---- not nearly so easy.
But our worst experience was on one of our trips going into Canada, most expensive was drving into Guatemala, and craziest was walking into Equador
from Peru.
It can happen anywhere---give someone a badge and some power and some people go crazy.
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DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
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Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
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"Sir are you entering Canada to work"
"No I replied" leaning on my cane", "Those disabled license plates on my vehicle are there for a reason".
"But you are crossing into Canada to work, correct?"
"No. I am 63 years old, retired on a disability pension".
"What kind of a trade do you do?"
"It's what kind of trade did I did".
"Sir you cannot enter Canada for purposes of working".
"I am entering Canada for purposes of visiting friends for five days".
"Sir what are you bringing into Canada to sell?"
"Nothing inspector but it looks like I am going to be hauling off a ton of Canadian officiadom bullchit to be disposed of in the USA.
"Sir if you give me a smart mouth I will turn you around in your tracks and send you back where you came from".
"Now let's get down to how many guns you are attempting to smuggle into Canada".
Never again. Canada will be forever safe from me. They don;t want me or my tourism.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by SiReNiTa
But then, crossing in to Mexico is usually a little too easy whether walking or
driving in to Mexico, very rarely do they check you (car or documents)...is this a good or bad thing I wonder sometimes..... |
SiReNiTaBoNiTa.....I think you've pointed out an important issue. We have to take the good with the bad, pile it up and say, "This is just the way it
is and it won't change any time soon."
Approach the border expecting the god-awful worst and it will be easier to deal with.
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1336
Registered: 9-2-2006
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Nobody gets to cross the border into my part of Canada today. SE Alberta is flooded and the local highways and crossings are closed!
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Ahhhhhh, finally a system that works!!!!
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windgrrl
Super Nomad
Posts: 1336
Registered: 9-2-2006
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
Ahhhhhh, finally a system that works!!!! |
...yup, usually the official US complaint about the Canuck border is that it is too permeable!
When the way comes to an end, then change. Having changed, you pass through.
~ I-Ching
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GrOUper-GAr
Nomad
Posts: 107
Registered: 1-9-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sharktooth
and all use the same computers.
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for SuRE they do.
They used 'google' 'myspace' AND 'facebook' to "investigate" me the last time thru to Canada...
NO KIDDING !!!
(I watched the guy)
Just another Glimpse into the insan!Ty,
and a fresh reminder to: KEEP IT REAL FAKE
-----------------------------------------------------
! PrEFeRiR!A eSTaR eN baJa !
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9011
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
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Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Nan&
Even being arrested will deny a Canadian access to the US.
Never mind being convicted.
D |
I cant believe this. There is no way that every Canadian I have ever met down here was never arrested for SOMETHING. They all have driven down through
the US.
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monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
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I have a friend who went to Canada last year and was interrogated for two hours about a trespassing arrest in 1970. I have a Canadian friend who was
arrested for marijuana possession in 1985 and the only way he can come to Mexico is on a charter flight that doesn't land in the U.S., he is not
allowed to set foot in the U.S.
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Bob and jane
Nomad
Posts: 272
Registered: 3-25-2004
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Okay, now that the subject has been raised....................
we are driving straight from Baja to Alaska through Canada, of course, in a few weeks to visit our son who is working in Alaska. After visiting him
in Alaska we will drive back through Canada to Idaho to visit more family and friends. We will have in our truck (with popup camper) a couple of
cases of home-canned Baja fish to give away here and there, as well as lots of bottles of hot sauce and other goodies (ie tequila) people expect from
us when we're up there. Are we going to be put through the ringer at the Canadian border? I read that there is an "in transit" exception to the
importation rules if you are just passing through on your way to Alaska. Anybody know anything about that? I've been pulled over to secondary going
into the states from Baja so many times that I have "border phobia."
Thanks for any information that will relieve my anxiety---or even if it doesn't.
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irenemm
Senior Nomad
Posts: 623
Registered: 7-16-2009
Location: vicente guerrero, baja
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Mood: relaxed
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So all the nice and funny Canadian are South of Canada eh.
I want to go so bad.
I love the Canadians guests we have they are always so nice. Maybe these guys at the border are just p.o. they can not go anywhere.
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Paulclark
Nomad
Posts: 359
Registered: 10-13-2008
Location: Castillo de Arena
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There is no such thing as "in Transit" when you cross the border. You are limited to 1.5 litres of alcohol and 200 cigarettes per person(adult)
Bring more and you must declare and pay duty. if you don't they will conficate it and you can face fines etc.
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akshadow
Nomad
Posts: 287
Registered: 2-1-2007
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have never had a problem with the Canadian Border, but we have Alaska Plate on the truck and just tell them we are transiting on our way home. Or
when we go from SE Alaska to Anchorage are just tell them we are going to other Alaska.
Not yet a problem heading south either.
This post will probably jinx us now.
Ron San Felipe Oct, Nov. Feb. Mar. April. remainder in Juneau Ak
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