Okay the question here is how much to type.

We stayed at the Hyatt hotel, because they said it was close (two blocks, no issues) The hotel was pricey, but then they had lots of little extras and I LOVED the steam room and the pool was very nice. Included a breakfast buffet that had the "pain au chocolate" which is a crossont (spelling) with choclate in it. It was also attached to a mall so we did not have to go outside in the winter if we did not.

Taxis we know are $35 from the airport. (Most take visa)

So the day of the interview, I have gotten a few hours sleep, thinking that I would not get up in time, I set the alarm clock, had a wake up call, and the cell phone.

We were there at 6:30 (I really wanted to be first) and we were. The others that came arrived just after 7 (like 2 mins after)

Doors opened at 7:30, go through security. As you know you get the card for A window 9. The people were very pleasant to me, they gave one guy a really hard time for coming for his mother who could not speak English, but we did not have any issues.

We go down the flight of stairs, and wait for the elevator guy. Of course I know to stand in the back, facing the right way. The guy sorta smiled at me before he said "it opens towards the back".

We head to window 9. (A - E people were called) She collects our cards and sends us out to a waiting area. We sit down for another 5 mins, and she calls my name first. We go in, She asks for my medical information, just the white one, not the x-ray. I hand it to her, with the expresspost envelope. She says that she already has all the orginials and we can go and sit back down and she will call us back.

10 mins later she calls us back, takes my fingerprints, and says that "shortly" I will get called to room 7 or 8.

9 am on the dot comes and I hear my name, and I go to the room.

There's a guy there. I smile. Get really nervous and probably look like a crazy person. He asks us to hang up our jackets and put everything else down beside us. We do as he says.
Here's how it goes:

Him: Good Morning
Brian and I: Good Morning
Him: You can put your jackets up there, and put anything else on the chair and use it as a table if you would like.
(I listen and do what he says)
Him: Please put your right hand up and swear that everything in your file, and everything you are going to tell me is the truth
Me: I do. (Don't know if I thought I was marrying the guy but...)
Brian: Yes
Him: So how did you meet?
Me: We were both playing a computer game called No One Lives forever 2 and.....
(Knock on door behind him - someone had to give him something,)
Him: Sorry about that, this one (refers to the file that he was given) is a complected one. (I WAS SOOOO GLAD That was not ours.)
Him: So, computers, that's what you do right Brian?
Brian: Actually I write other programs for accounting for HCA.
Him: Okay then. Well I need match your finger prints, so can you please place your... (pause here) left index finger on the green machine. (Which I do)
Him: oh, this one doesn't match, let's try another one. (Probably because I was not sweating so much the first time they took them?)
Him: Right thumb. Perfect.
Him: Let me give you back your orginial birth certificate, marriage certificate etc. (hands them over) You have everything set. So today I am going to approve your visa (I try not to do a little happy dance in place, but I am sure he notices) and it should go out in the mail today or tomorrow. It should get there by Friday, but if not first thing next week. Don't open it - they will at the border. When are you leaving?
Me: (in a super excited voice) The 9th then!!!
Him: I am happy I could make your day.
Me: I would shake your hand except I can't.
Him: it's bullet proof, so sorry. But you are done here for the day, so if you had not had breakfast then go and get some.
Me and brian: THANKS!!

We walk out on cloud 9 and go and get breakfast.

Montreal is summary: 5/5 for me, they did not ask us for ANYTHING!! Although I was prepared.

Oh and most important (MONTREAL DOES NOT ALLOW PURSES IN! IF IT'S TWO BIG YOU WILL BE REFUSED!

good review! yep no big bags of any kind and electronics--which include car remotes!! Best of luck moving to the USA

Congratulations!!! Great review!!!
I wish you all the best hon...YAY!!!!

Great review. Hope mine goes as smoothly on Monday.

Best of luck in your move.

Great news and a great review, congratulations

Congrats! great review... did you write down your tracking number? I wrote down ours and have been watching for it on Canada Post and nothing has been sent yet (starting to slightly panic here)..keep me updated on yours... he said we should have it within a week..hmm

last Friday when we were there...we saw a lady with a duffel style purse allowed in... maybe because it was a Louis Vuitton...I dont know..I only brought my wallet, didnt want to take a chance..


again congrats! when is the big move?

Great news! and great review, too!!!!

Congrats on your approval

Can you take those accordion folder things though to hold all the crap in? LOL

yep thats what I took!! a plastic accordion binder, it has like 13 pockets

Measures 15 inches in length and 11" in height. Worked like a charm

Congrats!!!!! I too saw some people go in with big bags. Electronic devices were checked in with security at teh entrance. Mom had a safety pin which she checked in, imagine the havoc someone can cause with one of those "devices."

Congrats on the easy APPROVAL!

It's funny, they did let me in with my handbag, which was rather big, but we had to toss the fabric bag I had the paperwork in.
Good thing I had a plastic bag with me and put it all in there.

Mumsie, don't you know that pins can pierce right through thick bullet proof glass??

CONGRATS!! that sounded like such an easy interview. i hope mine is that easy in vancouver!!! best of wishes to your lives

Congrats! Great review. I'm glad everything went smoothly.

Mary

Congrats!!!!!

I had a plastic according thing to hold all our stuff. No one even blinked at it.

Oh.. and I forgot to say we were out by 9:10 am.. AMAZING!

Feb 9 I am moving and I can't wait

That's awesome news... Congrats!! You must be SO thrilled.

That was a great review.

Congratulations!