FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – AIR TRAVEL

 

WHO SHOULD I CALL IF MY FLIGHT IS DELAYED?

(your parents, of course, to pick you up…J j/k… we will post the info later)

 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I REACH CANADIAN CUSTOMS?

 

Once you depart from the airplane, you will walk a long maze to the first customs checkpoint.  The officer will ask for your passport, customs declaration card (which will be given to you on the plane), and your reason for visiting Canada.  He/She will also likely ask if you have anything to declare.

 

He/She will then stamp your customs declaration card and you will then proceed to pick up any baggage you checked-in.  Show your customs declaration card to the officer at the door between the first customs checkpoint and the baggage claim.  After getting all your baggage, present your customs declaration card to the officer at the final checkpoint.  It is at this point that you may be randomly selected to have your belongings searched.  Its no big deal and they are very nice about it.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – ROAD TRIP

 

FROM THE NORTHEAST, WHAT’S THE FASTEST BRIDGE TO CROSS OVER INTO CANADA?

 

Going through downtown Buffalo to the Peace Bridge is fastest.  Follow I-90 East to I-190 North.  There will be signs for you.

 

 

WHAT’S THE BEST TIME TO REACH THE BORDER TO AVOID LONG LINES?

 

Any time between 10PM and 9AM.  Keep in mind that in Canadian afternoon rush hour (3PM – 7PM), traffic in the direction of the UNITED STATES is extremely heavy.  And of course, vice versa.  Also, if you plan to travel early in the morning beware that a HEAVY FOG covers most of the routes leading into/away from Buffalo.

 

 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I REACH THE BORDER?

 

Before reaching the Peace Bridge you will have to pay a small toll ($2 I think).  Currently, at the Peace Bridge, there are two checkpoints you must pass.  The first is the U.S. Customs checkpoint.  These people are generally “very very very serious” people who apparently have no sense of humor.  They may ask to see your passports and other questions like where you live, what you do for a living, and your purpose for going to Canada.  They may search the car.

 

After the U.S. Customs checkpoint, you will reach the Canadian Border checkpoint.  They will ask if you have anything to declare and they sometimes specifically ask if you have alcohol or firearms.  They may ask the same things the U.S. Customs officer asked and they too may search your car. 

 

After passing through both checkpoints, follow the signs for the Q.E.W towards Toronto.

 

 

HOW FAR FROM THE BORDER IS TORONTO?

 

It will take you from 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the Toronto suburbs once you have passed the border.  It should take you about 20 minutes to get downtown from the suburbs.  Its possible to reach the city from the border in one hour but you will be risking time in prison.

 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – GENERAL

 

WHAT SHOULD I BRING ON THIS TRIP?

 

A strong faith and a great adventurer’s attitude! THIS IS A MUST.

For the package you paid - You will have 2 T-shirts from Dong Hanh; 1 T-shirt offer from S.S.S. Congregation; a hat, booklet and a name tag.  With this in mind we strongly suggest that you bring no more than the following:

Slacks/jeans 2-3
T-shirts 4 (Max) because you will receive 3 T-shirts already
Shorts 2-3
Socks 5-7
Swimsuit - Sun Block - Sun Cream
Underwear 5-7
Tennis/casual walking shoes or light hiking shoes and a pair of Sandals
Light rain jacket or windbreaker
Sweatshirt/sweater 1-2
Passport and 2 photocopies of the passport. Important: leave 1 photocopy at home
Sunglasses.
Flashlight
Personal Hygiene items
Camera and film
Small am/fm radio
Something to trade with other youth from other part of the world - This is very fun gangs
Phone cards to call back home in case you miss Mom or Dad
Tarp/pad/sleeping bag. A MUST
$200 in cash for personal use.

 

Since we stay at the SCHOOL. You may want to bring with you a lock so you can lock up what you feel like valuable stuffs.

 

NOTE: People this is NOT a vacation  ... This is a PILGRIMAGE.  So you don't need to pack like a KING or QUEEN, OK