Unforeseen Chain Of Events

The Border Fail

Two days ago we tried to enter the States. Well, I say tried because we did not manage to get over. As two Germans in a weird looking camper with Canadian car plates, we expected to be on a special watch list. Of cause, they picked our car for close inspection and they found something they did not like. They detected Jens’ weed grinder with tiny bits of green plant parts in it.

I guess we had been too naïve to think that even though cannabis is more or less legal on both sides of the border, it might not be a problem to have a device like this on board. Well, it is a problem and they made a big issue out of this. Since Jens claimed the grinder as his possession he is now not welcome to the US anymore.

After almost 4 hours in this cold ass waiting room, we were sent back to Canada. Before that, Jens fingerprints were taken and he had been interviewed. The Canadians searched our camper for another two hours – just in case the Americans missed something. That was not the most delightful time of our trip so far. Without being too much disappointed, we accepted this radical change in our plans. Since Jens already traveled the west coast of the US he was more eager to see Mexico and Central America in general.

So we decided that Jens remains in Canada for another month while I drive the camper through the US on my own. When I arrive at the southern border of the US he will take a direct flight to Tijuana where we should meet up again.

Positive Attitude

At the same evening of our rejection, we met another young German fellow. I guess he was a little bit irritated, that we did not show any signs of disappointment. From the first moment, we considered this unforeseen chain of events as a challenge and not as a misfortune. It is a process and only, in the end, we might be able to judge whether this rejection was good or bad. No question – It is a drastic intervention in our plans but you got to go with flow whatever comes along. Being flexible is very important and remaining a positive attitude is a key element to that.

Leap Of Faith

For me personally, this trip on my own through the US is a certain challenge since I am more the computer geek without too much ambition into physical troubleshooting. For Jens, this is also a leap of faith. He put so much time and effort in our mobile home which he needs to remain in my hands for over a month. We don’t know what this all is good for but we will certainly figure it out.

The last 2 days Jens repacked the wheel bearings so they won’t make any weird noises anymore. He did the best to his abilities to hand me over a vehicle that will manage to do the job to take me all the way to Mexico without any trouble. Today we will split off and hopefully, my next travel blog entry will be sent from US soil.