American bullshit

• By taxi to Vancouver Airport
• Flight with WestJet and Delta Airlines to Rio de Janeiro with stops in Toronto and Atlanta
• Various complications on the way

At 4 o'clock in the morning the alarm goes off. Shower, finish packing and then take a taxi to the airport. Our starts at 8.15 a.m. WestJet flight with a little delay in the direction of Toronto. But before that there are still a few problems. Of course, the American security checks are causing problems again. The system just doesn't want to accept because I don't have an ESTA but a US visa. Which apart from that is nonsense anyway, since we won't be entering the country. After waiting for over half an hour, we can finally pass. However, the problem is not really solved. During the 4.5 hour flight, the cloud cover seldom clears and allows a look down. In particular, the approach to Toronto is top notch. The huge one CN tower is impressively high even from a plane.

In Toronto we now have to fetch the luggage and bring it through customs. But first of all, the problem with my visa and the outstanding boarding passes have to be solved. Suddenly the lady doesn't want to hand me the boarding passes because I don't have a visa for Brazil. Apart from that, as a Swiss - unlike North American - you don't need one for a maximum of three months' stay. After several phone calls, the lady finally understands. But valuable time has passed. Boarding time was a long time ago and we now have to go through customs.

Fortunately, many other travelers let us pass and so we get to the gate in time. Take a deep breath now! Then the next problem is on its way. Now they do not want to let us board the plane because we have neither a visa nor a confirmed departure for Brazil. We are already anticipating the worst, at least we will our luggage has already been called back by radio. At the last moment, the airport employees give their consent.

The relatively short 1.5-hour flight to Atlanta we are quickly behind us. The airport is proving to be unexpectedly convenient. Everything is progressing quickly and this time we have more than enough time to finally climb the machine to Rio de Janeiro.

Finally there is something to eat on board and that is also pleasantly delicious. The 9.5 hour night flight is shortened with entertainment electronics and a little sleep.