After attending my daughter's graduation ceremony, my friend drove us to Canada.
My classmate Xiao N drove from Niagara Falls to Pennsylvania two days ago to attend her daughter's graduation ceremony. Today, he drove our family to Canada.
It takes seven hours from Bethlehem to Montreal, Canada. Along the way, we stopped and stopped, which was also considered leisure. Although the scenery along the way is beautiful, we can't enjoy the beautiful scenery because of the rush and time difference these days. Our family slept in the car, but Xiao n, who had been running for more than ten days, could not relax at all. He drove smoothly, accompanied by a pot of tea and those classic old songs that he rarely heard, and escorted us all the way.
N's home is in Montreal, Canada. His family immigrated to Canada eight years ago. In fact, small n is not small. He is only one year younger than his father. They are classmates and friends who have known each other for many years. Therefore, they talk about everything with each other and have no scruples. Especially when teasing each other, just like cross talk. Excellent cooperation, often hear us laugh. Dad has always been Darkmouth. Little n is witty and talkative. Therefore, listening to their words all over the world and abusing each other's language, my children and I have to admire their "words".
Five hours later, we arrived at the border between the United States and Canada. This is the first time we have cleared customs by land.
According to the regulations, we need to go through the departure formalities at the US Customs, and then accept the entry inspection in Canada. Before going to the customs, Xiao n repeatedly told us what to pay attention to when going out and entering the customs. So, we are a little worried and nervous.
Surprisingly, however, the US customs checkpoint on the US-Canada border has been abolished, and only Canadian customs are stationed here.
First, Canadian customs officers questioned them, and then they took everyone's passports and looked around. We think we need to get off and check. We also need to drag the luggage out for scanning. Strangely, we didn't get off the bus and didn't ask us to pull out the suitcase for inspection. Five minutes later, I successfully entered the customs.
Such a smooth customs clearance, even Xiao n, who often goes in and out of the United States and Canada, did not expect it. So, the two began to tease again, and then began to sing along with the music on the bus.
My son and I went to Canada for the first time. Although all the Montreal cities you see on the road are on the edge of the city, the architectural features are similar to those of the United States. So I don't find the scenery particularly attractive, but I am very interested in Canadian culture and history. After entering Canada, the talkative and knowledgeable little n couldn't see the fatigue of driving all the way, and he was very excited to introduce us to the history and scenery of Canada. The baby's father seems to know all about world history. Two people are helping each other introduce us, and occasionally they argue jokingly with each other. We were amused by them again and again.
Arrive at the hotel soon. It's already half past eight in the evening, and Xiao n's wife and children are still waiting for us to have dinner together at home. So after we checked in, we dragged our luggage to the room and immediately rushed to the calf's house under the guidance of Xiao N.
N's home is close to the hotel. It's only a ten-minute drive. We soon came to his home. As the relationship between the two families has always been very close, adults and children talk endlessly as soon as they meet. My son, in particular, was obsessed with NX's brother as soon as he saw him, and the intimacy was overwhelming. Fortunately, brother NX has always been good-tempered and patient, otherwise he would have been scared away.
N's small home is very warm and the surrounding environment is very good. The big balcony attracted our family. We stood on the balcony, watching the cars coming and going, and watching the street lamps glow softly at night. There are no tall buildings in the distance, no obstructions near the ground, and the most visible things are green trees and lawns. What a quiet, peaceful and comfortable community.
Considering our fatigue along the way, the warm and careful little N family packed us a table of northeast dishes from the restaurant, which made us suddenly have a big appetite and ate it all unceremoniously. This is the most delicious meal I have eaten since I left Shenyang.
Later, we had lunch in this restaurant for two days in a row. This restaurant also has a more intimate name "Fujiazhuang". The restaurant is not big, but it is clean. The boss and his wife are very kind and easy-going, and they speak with an authentic Dalian accent, which makes us feel more cordial.
On the second day of coming to Canada, we followed Xiao N to visit Concord University, where our daughter is about to attend. Concordia University is located in the center of Montreal, adjacent to the famous McGill University. It is difficult to park because of the traffic jam. We just took a look in the car, then drove out of the city and went directly to the surrounding residential areas.
While driving, Xiao introduced us to every place he passed, including the historical background. Just local experts.
After eight years of immigration, for a man with family responsibilities, he must have made much more efforts than at home from the initial discomfort to the present complacency and leisure. Maybe this is a must for every immigrant! Now the small N family has made their own achievements in their careers and studies, and their lives are clean, stable and happy, which makes me envious. The hardships behind it have already become the past, and the days ahead will only get better and better.
These days, Xiao N took us all over the streets of Montreal, which made us feel the city from shallow to deep, and laid the foundation for us to stay in Canada in the future.
For two nights in a row, Xiao N took us to eat the most famous western restaurant and seafood restaurant in the area. After eating a good meal, my father said that this kind of treatment will not disappear every day, and he also said that he lost a few pounds these days and grew back.
Let's chat and smile. In fact, what worries us most is that growing up, I went to the United States to attend my daughter's graduation ceremony. For so many days, he completely gave up his work to accompany us. And Xiao n's wife and son go to work during the day and come back from work almost every night to accompany us until midnight. This gratitude makes us really don't know what to say.
Tomorrow, we will leave Canada and end our four-day trip to Canada.