the day when i got my holiday visa to visit canada

I finally got my Canadian Visa last Thursday,

It feels liberating and the winter holiday awaits,

It’s a holiday I can only dream of, North America destinations has always been at the bottom of my list, because it seemed nothing special to me, since we’re so engulfed with their westernization over the years, it would only feel like watching a familiar movie again. Anyway, north American destinations can’t really beat South Africa, South America or Europe in anyway right? Hehe, I’m being so bias. BUT!!!!!!!!!!!

Things kinda change after Scott got me a lonely planet book abt canada as a thank you gift after his visit to Malaysia in 2007, and I read a little bit about the history, I’m intrigue by the vast span of land (if i remember clearly, geographically Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of land, after Russia, ooh Russia, I so love the idea of visiting Russia!) the cultural differences that I can expect as written in the book, from Vancouver to Calgary to Winnipeg to Montreal to Toronto to Nova Scotia and some weird islands by the side of the whole country, it will take a year to just explore Canada alone hey, so its not a bad idea after all!

My application, due to my own procrastination and many other reasons, was delayed, until one fine day in November (I started planning in October), I’ve decided, I better get it done sooner than later because all the tickets had been booked and annual leave approved by boss, what am I waiting for?

I drove to the Canadian Embassy the office is located in the building Menara Tan & Tan, just opposite American embassy and I never knew it! the parking was full, and it was only like 830am, so I had to drive out again and park in PNB Darby Park and walk like 8mins pass a huge building to get to the embassy. I like what I see, there’s German embassy and Venezuelan embassy and a couple of others too, its so international.

Airport style security check at the entrance, and your handphones needs to be switched off and put in a special locker with a numbered key for you to claim later. Yes, many stares and curious giggles started when they saw my phone and the stuff dangling on its side. I showed the guard each and every phone accessory where it came from, and they concluded I like to travel, I think they’re Nepalese but we manage to talk a bit. I was given number 10, I waited for an hour in the reception area and submit my documents at 10 oclock sharp. Call me superstitious or whatever, good things don’t happen twice, if it does, the third one would not be good, haha, maybe i was right?

I request for same day processing, they ask me to return between 230 -330, so I head to office to work for another 4 hours, and head back to the embassy again, only with a boss as nice as mine and as understanding as he is, would allow me to do this, half day leave approved, come to office late, leave office early to get my visa done, and has no complaints, well as long as I deliver my work and does not cross the line I suppose.

When I head back to collect my visa, the visa officer wanted to schedule a short interview with me, my heart sank I wonder what’s the problem, is it true then what my friends had said? That I’m considered a high risk applicant? Young, and no commitments? But I really don’t see that as problem, and tried to ignore it, because there are young people who just like to travel, and it doesn’t mean every single young person wants to runaway from their country, right? It makes me wonder, then how am I going to plan for a world tour just like that? Ad hoc? That means I have to plan my route in advance and apply for visa? and not able to go spontaneously anywhere I like? sigh, this world.

Anyway, the interview turned out to be a comfortable and assuring one, my views of what the visa officer might ask me is all turnaround. The interview was meant for them to be genuinely sure that I know what I am doing and applying this visa for, and not endanger myself as there are ‘certain risks’ involved when I head to Canada with a host that I call just friend.

I told the officer its more like a "maybe friend, maybe not friend" kinda situation and it only make sense for me to go, now that I know someone there, and I was really touched by the officer’s concern and his advice on what I can do by giving me a card to visit a website for more information, not just about the emergency contact numbers and also applying for permanent residence if I ever decide that scott is the one, I think its funny, that most people would say that a guy and a girl will not be just friends, and now that I understand where he is coming from to say that, I really appreciate the fact that, they’re not just protecting their citizens but also protecting foreign visitors visiting Canada by making sure we are absolutely sure of what we’re getting ourselves into and not be con I guess.

When I got my visa, I called Scott, then I called mom, then I called my boss. I text Janice & Ryan, and Janice text me back jokingly saying “maybe the officer is worried that scott will sell you to some fat old kwai lo” haha, I guess that’s one of the concern when the applicant is young (ahem!) and gullible looking like me gua.

All said and done, now I have to get ready for this trip, and an ad hoc Singapore conference trip, AND shopping for gifts for friends as well, fuyoh, money these days are just like water, if you leave the tapped unattended, it will keep dripping precious water and the water bill will be crazy expensive whey!