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Aug 3, 2004 My husband and I took our vacation the week before the Democratic Convention. I didn't want to miss the convention, so I planned it that way, though we didn't put much thought into the vacation itself. Anyway, we decided to drive to Niagara-on-the- Lake to see a play at the Shaw Festival, which we did, and then we spent a long day in Toronto. I'd completely forgotten about SARS, Mad Cow disease and West Nile Virus, but, so far we're OK and it's the second week since the vacation. So I think we'll both survive. But I am concerned with border security. We were told previous to the vacation by AAA (American Automobile Association) that it would be necessary to have both of our birth certificates to cross the border. So we made the long trek to downtown's city hall to get the certificates, which, I must say, were quite costly. Each birth certificate is now $17.00 a piece. My husband said it used to be $5.00. I'd been to Niagara Falls many times in my life, starting from childhood when my parents used to take us (as a family), then we'd often travel to Toronto for vacations and to visit the CNE (Canadian National Exposition). I went many times with friends and previous boyfriends. I also went many times before with my husband, and we've been together for 15 years. There was never a problem crossing the border. Actually, I take that back. Once, with a boyfriend, the border patrol people asked us for identification, which would be our driver's licenses, and then we were asked to step out of the car and into an office, where we sat for quite a while. I think we both looked really young at the time and maybe they thought we were runaways. They never explained to us what they were doing, but then we were allowed to continue on our way. Another time I went with a bunch of female friends in a van, and, upon leaving Canada, they checked all of our purchases and our purses. I think the major concern is the purchase of alcohol or guns, and that would probably be a problem or at least there would be a cost involved. But with all the trips to Canada, I've never been asked anything more serious then, "Why are you coming here? What do you plan to do? Are you US citizens? Do you have guns or alcohol?" Those questions are usually the standard ones. And, I've always stayed at hotels or motels on the Canadian side. Everyone's always said Niagara Falls on the New York side is dull and boring and the Canadian side is more attractive. So, for a change of pace, we decided to stay in Niagra Falls, New York instead of in Canada. There is a bit to look at on the New York side, and you can actually get much closer to the falls itself than you can on the Canadian side. But I need to get back to the point. We went back and forth from New York to Canada for a total of six times. Each time the same questions were asked, if we're US citizens, etc. Once my husband mistakenly answered, "we're going to Canada for dinner." The man said, "Why would you drive so far just for dinner?" I then nervously replied, "we're on vacation." And he let us go. Only once of the six times was the border guard taking the situation seriously. He looked at both of our driver's licenses, took the licenses into his booth and seemed to check them out on a computer, then he compared the driver's licenses with the plates on the car, and...before he did that....a camera took a picture of us, the car and our plates. But no one ever asked for our birth certificates, which I think they should've asked for every single time. Granted, we don't look like terrorists because we both have light-colored hair and pale complexions. But how does one know what a terrorist looks like? I've read average Americans are being recruited into al-Qaida, which may or may not be true. Isn't it true that one of the terrorists came in through Canada? I think that every single car and every occupant of the car should be questioned in detail. Everyone should have to show birth certificates, and every license plate should be investigated. I fear our border security isn't adequate when crossing from the US to Canada and back. And if this is the case, the problem could and should be an issue on all of our other borders, as well. No, I don't feel safe. ------------ About the author: Gail Fonda has been working out for 30 years through a variety of exercise routines, and she loves it! Email: gdvoref@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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