Instead of heading back to Australia to get our visas for the second year here, we decided it was easier and cheaper to head into Canada. (It also meant I could be around for worship school). So we planned a week long flying visit to Vancouver, BC with the 'other' Aussie family here, the Van Tinerens.
Contrary to my usual character, I didn't complete paperwork until a day before we were due to leave. After completing the visa forms for all of us, I then went to pay a fee (called a SEVIS fee). I realised that we hadn't been given a new SEVIS number - which is needed to pay the fee. This meant we had been given the wrong 1-20 forms (which are the forms that come from the school stating why we are in the US). After what was one of the most stressful and embarrassing days of my life, we finally got hold of someone (on a saturday) who could give us our new forms! Initially we had decided to go for a visa extension, but then changed our minds and decided just to go and get the full visa. So they had processed 2 different lots of forms for us, and we had got the extension forms rather than the new visa forms. Ahh! So it was a miracle we got it the forms. And we were able to leave for Canada the next day as planned. What a relief!
Our first day we drove to Portland where we stayed at our neighbours sisters house (have I told you just how amazing and generous our neighbours are???). We then continued the next day up to Belcarra (Vancouver) BC, Canada. Again I had made a mistake by not bringing our consulate appointment confirmation form! The border guard said we were the first people had even encountered that had not brought their form. Whoops :). Lucky he was nice; he let us through :).
On our way to our accommodation (friends of friends) we saw a baby bear hanging his paws over the side rails along the road. According to the locals, its the bear they are trying to catch cause he is getting into peoples houses - including the house we stayed at (but not while we were there thankfully!). The house is located in the most spectacular place - right on the waters edge, with the surrounding mountains in full view. Being further north, we experienced quite a late sunset (not as late as Alaska, but still late for us). It didn't get dark until around 9.45pm. The family we stayed with were beautiful! They welcomed us (as strangers) into their home. We were truly blessed.
Our visa appointment went very smoothly, and with that off our minds, we were able to enjoy the local attractions. We walked along the waters edge, went to Stanley Park, and the boys went into the Aquarium. Our conclusion - Vancouver, BC is beautiful! We look forward to returning again some day.
We had a lot of grace at the border on the way back into the US. Both families were processed together (by the nicest border guard), and we had no trouble. We celebrated our return to the US with dinner in the border town, Blaine. It was time to relax!
