In honour of this Canada Day weekend, thought I’d repost these border-crossing tales of David Archuleta tours-gone-by… if you have your own stories, please share!!!
“What is the purpose of your visit, Obi-Wan?”
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Fasten your seatbelts as a few SnowAngelz tell their harrowing tales of cross-border life in the David Lane.
Refnaf:
Never in my previous non-ODD life, have I ever “crossed over” the divide between our lovely countries as often as I have in the past year. Canada and the U.S. may share the longest unguarded border in the world, but I, on the other hand, feel very guarded with every venture.
Will the questions asked reveal the real reason for my trip? Will they proceed from “Where are you headed?” to “Whose concert??” at breakneck speed? Will the border guard notice the hesitancy in my voice as I wait for the inevitable “That little guy from A.I.?” or “David who??”
My biggest fear is that I may answer, “I am going to see The David, The Only David, The Best David,” and may even be tempted to add “My David!!!”
On my way to see David Archuleta’s summer tour stop in Hershey, P.A., the customs person was the most encouraging I have met so far. He not only knew who David was, but proceeded to “grill” me about what Cook was up to lately and even asked “What about that girl who could really belt it out?”
Then he started chatting about pre-A.I. 7 seasons. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that my Idol knowledge was limited to Season 7. I mumbled some inanities about Simon Cowell (feeling like I was locked into a game of A.I. Trivial Pursuit) and looked for TOfan, who I was sure must have been wondering why I was getting the “interrogation.” As I finally got away, I had to smile…. only in America.
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TOfan:
I could never be a drug mule. Not because I’m above all that crime business, but because of the panicked look that takes over my face every time I cross the border. I’m convinced I’ll somehow “fit the profile,” be strip-searched and held for further questioning… or worse, sent home.
So for me, of all the “firsts” I’ve experienced as a David fan, voluntarily subjecting myself to border-guard scrutiny in order to get to a concert has to be the most nerve-wracking.
Yes, I could just vaguely tell them I’m visiting friends, but experience has taught me honesty is the best policy when faced with the horror of federal offenses or, gasp, missing David’s show. But you try travelling with fellow ODDers and answering the inevitable, “How do you all know each other?”
I’ve found that a quick “we’re friends going to a concert” works best. It is (a) the truth and (b) avoids having to explain hooking up with strangers online (it was hard enough to type that, never mind say it out loud to an armed official).
Once when I said I was travelling to meet friends (mumbling “for a concert” under my breath), the border guard wanted to know how I knew these “friends” … I think I said “we’re all in sort of a music club” and she took pity on me and left it at that.
In the scenario Refnaf described above, I had no idea her “interrogator” was an Idol buff. He had her chatting so long I figured he didn’t believe we were flying Stateside just for a concert and we’d miss our flight … or worse. Beads of perspiration collected on my brow as he called me forward for my turn in the hot seat.
“So,” he said, leaning back in his chair, one eyebrow raised. “David Archuleta, huh?”
“Yes,” I gulped. “He’s good!”
“Ya, I know,” he nodded, handing back my passport. “Have a safe trip.”
Pastel:
“Where are you two ladies travelling to?”
“Cleveland, although we are meeting up with a friend in Buffalo”
“What are you doing in Cleveland?”
“We are going to a concert.”
“Which concert?”
“DAVID ARCHULETA! Have you heard of him?” (The intent was to turn the tables and go on the offensive….)
“Yeah.”
“He was on American Idol!”
“You are travelling all the way from Toronto to Cleveland for a concert with David Archuleta?”
As if rehearsed and without hesitation….”Of course…he is amazing! Have you listened to his Christmas album?”
“No.”
I realize we have no more copies because IT WAS SOLD OUT IN TORONTO!
“Oh no! We would give you a copy if we had an extra. We gave copies of his first CD to a border guard last year whose daughter….” I realize I am talking way too much now.
“Okay ladies…here you go.” Passed back passports and as if in a hurry to get rid of us.
SandyBeaches:
Click pic 4 recipe.
On our last trip to New York, the security officer said at the Halifax airport, “I see by your passport that you were in the U.S. just last month? I believe that I remember you! So whose concert was that?”
I followed his line of questioning with the usual hesitation for some unknown reason. I answered with, “David, the same singer as before.” Maybe I was a little sassy, but I wore a big smile.
On coming home, ‘the almost’ interrogation in Halifax airport included, “So why were you there?” I answered his barrage of questions with, “A concert.”
“Do you have a ticket stub to prove it, he asked?” My reply to his question was automatic, “I have that and a David Archuleta poster, Christmas tree ball and various other gifts right here in my hand.”
He said, “Next person please!”…
“Yo, Canada!”
Although I’ve had the good fortune to travel a great deal in my life, I’d never been apprehensive at any border crossing. That is, until I contracted ODD.
Suddenly I was a regular at airports, ferry crossings, bus stations and immigration checkpoints — destination: David, anywhere USA.
I could feel the sweat trickle down my back when an immigration official asked me to produce my Jingle Ball ticket before entering Buffalo on a Greyhound bus. I felt equally uncomfortable when asked to explain why I had been to New Jersey when I had not gone on business and had neither friends nor family there.
Ummm, well, you see … I went to a music concert, sir. Are you a singer, he asked? blah! Ummmm…no, I went to hear someone else. Oh, man… here it comes. Who, he asked? David Archuleta (sotto voce). Did you purchase any tobacco? Whew! Off the hook again.
I’m sure that one day the customs card will offer three options for the question, “What is the main purpose of your visit?”: 1. Personal. 2. Business. 3. ODD. Who am I kidding? I love the secret, exhilarating life of a well-travelled SnowAngel.
P.S.
Happy Birthday, Canada! To help you celebrate, here’s a collection of memorable “O Canada” renditions. Enjoy!
Montreal Canadiens fans en masse.
P.P.S. Be sure to check out @abanana77’s amazing Canada series on her equally amazing blog HERE.
SnowAngelz: Canadian fans of David Archuleta 
Up late and getting ready for a quick weekend trip. I will be crossing the border between Idaho and Utah, an event destined to be anticlimactic after hearing about your adventures.
What a fun read!! I’m still smiling. Happy Canada Day, friends!
Have a safe, fun trip crossing the “border,” Geez!!! 🙂
Fun stories from the Canadian Archies!!
Fun stories!! You gals Rock!! Reminded me of some border stories back in the 60’s with my family visiting me in Seattle , when I took them to Canada!! Won’t bore you with details but trust me it was funny to us. :))
This is a really intelligent way to answer the question.
HAHA!!!! I had no idea you women were interrogated in a such a manner. I had to giggle at all your comments. Next time just tell them you are going to visit a friend in Provo, Utah — and then come visit!
Lol TOfan, Ref, and Pastel! Those are some serious custom officers. 😀
The other day I realized when ever I see a maple leaf, I think of David + you guys all in one thought.
Thanks for link to abanana’s blog. Abanana, girl, you sure can write!!!
Happy Canada Day!
aww thanks haha 🙂
Bets Canada Day post idea ever, TOfan! lol the dreaded border crossing hahaha.
I remember when I went to Lancaster for the solo tour, my mom was driving and we stop at the border and the guy asks us why we’re crossing the border and my mom (very enthusiastically) says “We’re going to see David Archuleta!” lolol and then the border crossing guy was like “… is than an entertainer?” Hahaha and my mom was like “Yes. He was on American Idol.” Haha and the guy let us go.
This is crystal clear. Thanks for taking the time!
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Happy Canada weekend everyone! TOfan, love this very Canadian blog. Great to read all the ‘cross-border’ adventures, haha. I can relate, have only crossed the border twice to see David and always told the truth about going to a concert, but the first time I remember the customs officer asking us if we were going to see some very heavy metal band (can’t remember their name now) and that made me laugh. When we said no, going to see David Archuleta, it was….oh yeah, that kid with the big voice from A.I…..have never seen him…..and me of course…..you definitely should!
Last time I travelled to see David, upon my return the officer asked me (with a very sombre face) well…was it exciting? Me…..yes, it was very exciting and the best Christmas concert I’ve been too. Him (with a very sombre face) oh yeah? So you enjoyed yourself ma’am. Me…..with enthusiasm, absolutely, I loved it. Could never get him to crack a smile though, obviously that’s not part of their job. I really shouldn’t even try, lol.
I’m with SandyBeaches…”I’m sure that one day the customs card will offer three options for the question, “What is the main purpose of your visit?”: 1. Personal. 2. Business. 3. ODD.
LOL. It may be a necessity one day.
That recipe up top looks very nice! Hope everyone has an enjoyable Canada Day!
abanana…..forgot to say that I loved reading your Canadian blog! So glad that you enjoyed B.C. so much…..taking a trip across the country must have been great!
thanks! BC was AMAZINGGGG. I have been dreaming of going back since I left 🙂
Came back to say LOVE the Montreal Canadiens fans sings the O Canada! It makes me so happy! :)))
That was my favourite one, that’s why it’s first! lolol Actually gave me chills, so cool.
heartsong / Was it really only a week ago? How can we ever thank you enuogh for the gift of this tour, David? We have pictures and videos and I am so grateful for those so it can be relived over and over again and be seen by those who weren\’t able to see it firsthand. THANK YOU for this tour, David. Thank you for everything you do for us. This is one fan who really does appreciate it.
TOfan, This is all so awesome! I felt sad for a few days when eyorvene was in UT having such a great time, but that has been replaced with happiness, joy, pride, tears .excitement .just can’t believe how things just keep getting better. David is a gift and if I may say so .we are so blessed!
So fun to read about these border crossings!! 🙂 It kind of makes me nervous..hubby and I are traveling to Calgary, AB in about 10 days. I hope it’s all a smooth process. 🙂 I’m so excited to get up there and witness, for myself, the beauty of Canada.
I can’t seem to get to parts 2 and 3 of abanana’s blog. All I can get to open are 1 and 4. 😦
Hope you enjoy Calgary, tawna! Try these links to abanana’s Part 2:
http://abananaaday.weebly.com/1/post/2012/06/oh-canada-part-2.html
and Part 3:
http://abananaaday.weebly.com/1/post/2012/06/oh-canada-part-3.html
Really??? No idea why 😦 haha hope ^ those links work. Part 2 has my Banff pictures (about 1.5 hours outside Calgary). Are you going there??? So pretty! You really really should check it out if you can!
cadthu / Love the pics. Hope you are planning to add Verona pics. David was specatcular (honestly all superlatives are now hopelessly inadequate after that performance)last night. I am in awe of him and this tour. I’m hoping that you guys are working on making a MKOC Tour Live DVD. I’ll take at least 10 copies please 🙂
Good morning Ca-na-da! Happy Birthday…Let your flags fly high, enjoy the day and the fireworks and ‘may your big jib draw’!
Dear David said, “So cool here, I wanna like live here”…He really did enjoy his visit…
SB
In keeping with the day..
We Are More ~ the poem spoken at the winter Olympics opening in Vancouver.
SB
Loved that Olympic poem, SB!
stephdanielle / We went to these first 2 shows, what a blessing!! David you are one amziang human being, words just aren’t enough to say how proud we are to be your fans! God Bless & have a fantastic rest of the tour, sure wish we were able to attend every one of these shows! 🙂
Oh my gosh Deb I forgot about submitting this story. SandyBeaches, I loved adding the third inquisitive at the border “1. Personal. 2. Business. 3. ODD” That. Must. Happen. Looking forward to so many more roadtrips…for the next two years for other artists, but you can see we obviously need more practice.
Anna, your blog!!! Oh, I love it! Can’t wait to read more!
Another bellybuster – loved everyone’s border trials!
I, sadly, have not yet been to Canada, but my husband has, fishing.
He says, “the fishing is crazy, the scenery is breathaking, and the folks are really nice.”
He is a man of few words, but I think he summed it up quite nicely.
aw, that’s nice to hear, emme!!!
Sneaking onto my dad’s computer to wish all of you a Happy Canada Day! Spending this gorgeous weekend in Cambridge, ON, can’t wait for the fireworks!!!
Flashbacks today. Grand-daughters (ages 16 & 14) were laughing at me for the number of David videos on my YouTube Channel, teasing me in a good way. They tell me I’m too cool to be a Grandma – a compliment for sure tho back-handed a bit…hahaha…they loved this one at Fairfax, Va – great seat for video-taping!!! And it is one of my fav’s:
…and….
they thought this one from Glasgow was a counter-balance for “I’ll Never Go.” Smart girls!!!
Trip down memory lane, for sure. 😀
AnneMarieFOD / Thank you so much David for putting this tour teeothgr! I was able to attend the Westbury show and it was out of this world!! We are just so lucky and blessed to have you and your beautiful, heartfelt music in our lives!! Thank you!! 🙂
I have put the 2nd vid in my previous post to parvite as to some mysterious reason, the audio level in that vid is too high. It is mysterious since JTTW and AFTROG came from 1 master file which has an even level of audio.Anw, please refer to this link instead for 19Dec ANGELS, FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY
Happy Canada Day!! :)))
Happy Canada Day my archiefam 🙂
Hope you all had a great holiday!
Tofan, thanks for the gif gifts….love them all.
(does he not kill you in so many ways?)
**approaching the start of the month-long daily countdown to BEGIN. eeeeep!
New post/thread!
🙂