I find myself in the offices of customs at the airport in Gander, to answer questions from two officers. Just before the interview, I asked politely if I can call a travel agent before closing time looming, to prepare my return trip. They royally grant me this favor and put at my disposal a telephone. With the help of the tour, I organize So my return flight (several steps): Gander, Halifax, Montreal, Paris. Starting tomorrow Thursday, August 20 2:20 p.m. ET arrival in Paris on Friday morning at 21. Perfect! ... except for one small detail: almost $ 2000 CDN for this way! ... twice the round trip Paris San Francisco! It hits hard! but I do not really have a choice, I want to go faster at home. If I knew it! ...
Customs then ask me a series of questions, each more intrusive than other ... about my family, my business, my travels ... a survey of sorts! .. But I thought I had left ... And they keep my passport until Gander where I leave.
See you tomorrow morning 9:00 with customs ... despite a scheduled flight at 14:20. Strange ...
I returned to the hotel through the gift shop of my cell guard to take the gifts engraved on wood and glass. And I'm so happy to imagine that in two days I'll get mine and my friends ... What happiness! just thinking about it!
returned to my room, I receive a call from a journalist with CBC TV Canadian who wants to interview me before my departure. Alone with her camera, I receive in my room to tell my story and testify to the overreaction to me. She takes risks: only face a "dangerous" person like me! The interview lasts about twenty minutes.
And then sleep! Comfortable night with weird dreams sentences and endless corridors (to me ... it works pretty story!)
The next morning, I present myself as agreed at the customs office and there, mental shock (again) ! Very stoically, they announce how the national airline (Air Canada) does not allow me to take their planes for security reasons. And voila, there it is, I'm in the box ... with the label "dangerous person"! So no taking risks for the company ... And how can I do to get out of here ?!... That feeling of being trapped in my mind still runs ... they just expanded a few walls! But I just want to go home ...
while I understand I can not plan my return trip without the involvement of Canadian authorities and airline AA. Still no passport, I returned to the hotel where the receptionist questions about the purpose of my return. But an employee, caring, wonder if I'm doing well because she had heard that morning on the radio my story ... What story invraisembable!
After many phone calls to alert my relatives from the cancellation of my flight schedule, I recall the local customs office for news. No news :-( Wait, wait ... but how long? ... If I take something positive from this unfortunate experience is patience! I keep waiting ... I also want to take a few steps along this ancient fjord what became Lake Gander. ... It relaxes beautiful place ... And (in my case) almost! By late afternoon, I get a call from a representative of the company, Mike, who tells me the end of my troubles! Phew! He proposes a meeting in my hotel this evening. Banco! Hope for a way out ... Hi Mike! we heading into the computer from the reception where he checked the new flight plan: Gander, Halifax, New York, Paris. Starting tomorrow, Friday night in Halifax, NYC transit all day (is there not an earlier flight for Paris ... I have the answer to this question later!), And arrived at Paris CDG Sunday morning ... Well, again: no choice! I asked if I would not worry about passing the U.S. Customs, and he replied casually: "If you have problems, call me, I'll leave my laptop!" Half reassured, I shall leave Mike and after a frugal dinner, goes to bed ... with the hope of getting out of this soon nightmare ...
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