I went to pick up my passport after work yesterday. I found parking right in front of the Service Canada building, that was sort of a surprise. I paid for 40 minutes and thought that it likely wasn’t enough. I went in and since I was picking up, it is a different line – there was only one person in front of me.
So, I waited less than 5 minutes in total and got my passport – no issues, no hassle. The picture doesn’t look bad, as far as passport pictures go. So, I am now free to roam for the next 10 years.
I leave in less than 24 hours for Ontario and will spend 5 nights in my former province. I am taking the red eye to Toronto, it leaves Friday morning at 12:35 and arrives in Toronto shortly after 6am. I have reserved a rental car at the airport, the only issue is that the credit card that I applied for at the beginning of the month has not yet arrived. I called them and it was sent out on March 9. Now, I know that Canada Post is slow, but this is a bit ridiculous. The card hasn’t been activated or used, so that is good at least. If it does not arrive then I guess I won’t be getting the rental, unless they will take a debit card but I don’t think most rental places will. I will cross that bridge when I come to it. If needed, I will take a bus to Niagara, it will work out – I don’t let issues like this stress me out, I can’t do anything about it, so, why worry about it?
I am staying with friends in Welland, it will be good to see them. We are going out on Saturday night where I am meeting other friends. I am also having breakfast Sunday with my sister and brother-in-law. On Saturday, I will be going to the memorial for a good friend of mine. He will be missed by many.
I head back to Toronto early on Monday morning. I either drop the car off at the airport and take transit downtown, or I take a bus back. I work in the National office for 3 days and have lunches and dinners with various co-workers – it will be good to catch up with everyone. I am staying with my Aunt in Toronto and am looking forward to seeing both her and my cousin who’s coming to Toronto from Washington.
I will be hitting up the Mandarin twice on my visit – love Chinese food. Monday for dinner is Red Lobster with my Aunt and co-worker. Tuesday, my boss is trying to kill me with the Buffet Tri-Fecta, buffet breakfast at the Royal York Hotel, lunch at Mandarin (visit #2) and dinner at Copacabana, a Brazilan Steakhouse. I might be a tad full. On Wednesday, I am taking out the Senior Manager of my group at work and finally paying off a Super Bowl bet from a number of years ago. This is our first opportunity for me to be in Toronto and be able to take him out.
My flight leaves on Wednesday evening, I need to be at the airport around 6:30pm.
I will be chronicling my trip on my blog, will try to make daily entries – follow along:
For today, one more day to work and then right after work, I will drop the dogs off at the pet resort. I am going to miss them – that’s for sure. Before I got Zeus, almost 11 years ago, I hadn’t ever really thought about having a dog of my own. Now, with three of them, I can’t imagine never having a dog again. I know they will have a great time and I am already looking forward to picking them up.
If you will, wish me safe travels. Thanks. 🙂
Kevin's Ramblings... 