International border crxings & passports

[ASammy1]

You are absolutely right! My ex-sister in law is Philipino (sp?) and was trying to bring her aunt who was a Dr in Dubai to the U.S. The last I heard was they were able to get her to Canada, but not the U.S. yet... This was about 2 years ago, so that may have changed, but I hear you!

[alpinerabbit]

mmm yeah. My most excruciating experience so far is getting into Russia. Sheehsh.

[shootingstar]

mmm yeah. My most excruciating experience so far is getting into Russia. Sheehsh.

Where did you go in Russia? And for how long? What did you think of what you saw?

Yea, ASammy, I got the impression the U.S. authorities are more strict than Canada on Filipino nationals. I have never worked the Canadian federal depts. of immigration nor for foreign affairs, but last year I spoke with a number of Filipino employees who were working on our construction project here in Canada. They had work visas to work in Canada. I understand, depending on the circumstances of the Filipino visitor, and which year, a Filipino national who merely wanted to visit the U.S. for a few days from Canada, had to get a travel visa issued by the U.S. authorities first. It appears that U.S. has different visa/visitor requirements for non-Canadian foreigners per country. It is the same for Canada.

That travel visa, of course is not required for anyone with Canadian citizenship AND the required Canadian passport, visiting the U.S. for a few weeks/months.

[alpinerabbit]

Where did you go in Russia? And for how long? What did you think of what you saw?

Moscow, Sheremetjevo Airport, in about 2000. 4 or 5 days.

I loved Moscow (we had awesome weather). The history, the architecture - the turrets on the churches, the museums, the subway stations are a true experience!!
We stayed with some people, and they showed us around and told us where else to go.
I rode a rickety roller coaster in Gorki park and had Georgian Shashlik after. The reason we went was for a wedding with the banquet in a baroque hall. It was awesome. Everyone was so cordial. Back then we were already appalled at the old grandmothers who were reduced to begging while the newly rich were on the ascent, it can only have gotten worse.