Back to the Future

It's a weird feeling to arrive earlier than you departed. I touched down in Vancouver in the afternoon, having left Auckland this evening. Confused? You and me both, although the 22 hour time difference pretty much negates the jet lag. It was the first time I'd looked at the flight map on the screen in front of me and been amazed to see the distance I'd covered. Not that I haven't already covered 1000 miles over the past year, but to see that I'd crossed the Pacific? Now that was pretty special, as was the fact I slept for most of the 12 hour flight, which never happens. Limiting myself to only one in-flight movie is something I aim to do on future long-haul flights. As we descended into Vancouver all I could see was cloud, more cloud then bump. We were on the ground. Damn, it wasn't cloud after all - it was snow. A beautiful blanket of snow smothered the airport, and for the first time I felt like Christmas was around the corner.

This cheer and goodwill to all men experienced a short hiatus when I handed over my passport and documents to a sour-faced Canadian Immigration Officer. I had a feeling he was going to be difficult when he didn't answer my 'Hello'. The problem arose when I told him that I was staying with someone I met on t'internet. He had a field day with that, going as far as asking me how I was funding my trip and my credit card limit. Cheeky f***. I desperately wanted to verbally assault the man, but I'm wise enough to know that you don't win with Immigration Officers. I answered his questions and rolled on through determined not to spoil the atmos of the winter wonderland before me.

As I stepped outside into the cold, I felt a bracing yet comforting chill. Canada, here I am!

Tony is -3 degrees and counting. :)