Peaceful it was not. Something about my answers to the border guards questions pissed him off. His tone and demeanor changed mid sentence instantly informing me that I was to be further questioned and that my car was going to be searched. I'm still not sure what I said or did, but man he turned into a real jerk. What a difference between Canadian and American Border Guards. Canada was all "Eh", and America was all "Fuck Yeah!, unless we don't like you, in which case, Fuck You!" The intensity of the questioning room was well, intense. There are dozens of well armed, shaved headed, testosterone fueled officers who love to stare you down and intimidate you. One poor kid also pulled over in the room with me asked to go to the bathroom and was denied several times. When they weren't looking, he went anyway and that really got their goat. I was asked a slew of questions, asked for my keys and then told to wait. He came back with my car key, stamped a piece of paper and instructed me to hand it to the officer outside. That officer turned out to be the guy who originally got pissed off at me. He had this dejected/accusatory/shocked look on his face and pointed towards my car. When I got to it I found the passenger door ajar and the contents riffled through. Gee, welcome home. I went on this trip looking for America and found the ugly side right here at its edge. The filling is great, it's just the crust that sucks. The arrogance mixed with machismo in dealing with perceived threats is an ugly stain on this country. There is no reason why I couldn't have been treated with an ounce of respect while still getting the information they needed and preventing Global Thermonuclear War. I would hope that in their job they would see the folly in injecting personal feelings and emotions, but I guess that's what happens when you give guys guns and tell them its their job to protect America at all costs.
However, Niagara Falls is captivating! What a shot!
My parents (in their mid/ late/ 60s) were harassed at that same crossing by a bitter son-of-a-*****.
The moral is - like your job...
This is why every where I go in the world I pretend to be a Canadian on holiday -- except of course when I enter and exit countries as an actual US citizen with a passport and hang my head in shame.
Boo hiss Mr. President...look how you have disgraced our nation in the eyes of the global community. Truly sad.
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