I made it through U.S. customs at Vancouver International Airport

The hotel clerk where Jan and I spent the night in Richmond suggested that I didn't need to take an earlier shuttle to the airport than 4.47 AM since the U.S. customs (apparently you do all that custom stuff on the Canadian side of the border) didn't open until 5 AM. I felt that it was a bit of a risk not arriving at the airport until a hour before the flight departure time and decided just before heading to bed to take the 4.17 AM shuttle. I'm glad that I trusted my gut and not the hotel clerk's advice. I would have missed the flight if I had listened to him.

Jan came with me to the airport and could come with me way further than I expected. It was nice with the company since there were a few line-ups along the way. I like how the airport is divided into national, international and then U.S. flights. I never quite figured out if it's because Canada and the U.S. are so close or if it's because the U.S. custom procedure is so complicated.

Jan and I hugged goodbye just before the security part of the whole process. My bag did fine but I apparently didn't do as well since I got the choice of a pat down or body scanning. I choose the later option and made it! Puh!

Next stop was the passport control where it felt like the cue never moved forward. I had only moved half the way by the time my flight began boarding. It was finally my turn when 30 minutes remained before departure. I thought it would be quick check since I haven't had any problems before but I guess the officer didn't think I looked like my passport photo (that's only two years old). First he asked for my driver's license. I didn't really see how that would help him since that picture is 9 years old but I gave it to him. While she was starring at the two pictures and then at my face the only thing I could think about was Bjornes voice and laughter from when we were at the passport control in Washington D.C. and Bjorne said that I looked nothing like my passport photo and that he never would let me into the country with that. I was so close to burst into laughter myself but managed to keep it together. The officer finally asked a colleague for help and was finally let through. Puh again!

I made the flight but just barely. I was exhausted after that intense morning and fell asleep almost right away, dreaming about maple leafs of course.