Die Immigration

The last few days before my departure I spent as much time as possible with my friends and family; many of the discussions we had were related to my trip and what to expect.

Would my coach pick me up on time?
Would my luggage make it to its final destination?
How tough would the customs be? Will I need to speak to the customs agent in German since I am using my German passport?

We had some fun thinking of some worst-case scenarios but it couldn’t have gone any smoother. I didn’t even have to go through customs when I landed in London so I figured when I landed in Dusseldorf at my final destination would be when I would have to answer some questions.

The reason for your visit: Business or pleasure?
Where and how long are you staying?
Where were you on your trip?
How long were you gone for?

It was interesting because when we talked about the possible questions sometimes we forgot that the questions would be posed to a German citizen returning to Germany and not a Canadian visiting Europe.

Either way none of it even happened; I pictured myself going through customs like in the United States where they interrogate you and being “grilled” by questions like how come I didn’t have a departure stamp from Europe since this was the first time I was using my German passport and so on. The borders here are much more relaxed as some of you might know so once you are in Europe with a European passport they are quite relaxed. Walking off the plane I followed the signs for European nationals and handed the gentleman behind the counter my German passport. Not a single question, I said hello and by the time I had time to inhale he had already returned my passport and I was on my way.

One situation overcome, luggage was next.

Another challenge and topic of discussion leading to my departure was packing.
How do you pack your life in two 20kg bags? That was the question I kept asking everyone. I generally consider myself a light packer so never had any issues going on vacation or weekends away or even three weeks in Europe no problem.

When I left home for university, I will admit that I didn’t pack light on that move. My dorm room was packed and so were my apartments during my time in Montreal. My family was only two hours away and came to all my football games so along with them came food, blender or anything else that was needed. My roommate back then came from Western Canada and he would show up with two bags and did that for four years and never seemed to have a problem.

Here is a picture of me and my stuff first day in dorm at McGill University.



I guess I can pack for vacations no problem but when it comes to completely uprooting myself, I am not as talented. Do I really need to bring those three other pairs of shoes? That black suit in case I need to dress up or decide to get a job. How many sweatshirts? Sweatpants? T-shirts? Underwear? ... The list goes on and wasn’t making my packing any easier, add to that the fact that my most hated household chore is doing laundry I wanted to bring everything. Not going to happen on this trip.

I managed to get everything I thought I needed into three bags; each of them weighed about 17lbs just under the weight restrictions. I paid for an extra one (my logic was better to pay for the extra bag instead of having to buy everything brand new). I did bring that suit, those dress shoes, the dress shirts and ties but right about now doesn’t look like I will be getting a job so I should of brought some more sweatshirts or training gear instead.

Here I am with my three bags at the airport in Ottawa, already exhausted; little did I know what was ahead.



When I was younger my parents taught me that packing your luggage at home and weighing it with your own scale really eases the stress of travel. I have seen many people on the airport floor trying to rearrange their clothes and other things from one suitcase to another trying to making it all fit under the weight restrictions or even worse having to throw something out. I can’t imagine having to decide which friend or relative doesn’t get his or her present because I didn’t pack my suitcases properly. No wonder some people are all flustered and upset at the airport; that would never be a good way to start or end a trip.

Luckily, my luggage showed up and pushing my luggage cart piled high I walked out the arrivals gate hoping to find my coach waiting…