Just like the Army!

[gridlore]

We accomplished more before 1100 than most people do all day.

We got up early to head over and apply for our passports. Good plan, as we were second in line and first with completed paperwork. Amazingly enough for a government office, service was fast, efficient, and pleasant. I joked that my picture was perfect since Canadian customs would be seeing me after a red-eye flight and a long layover in Detroit. Should be getting the passports in a few weeks.

So, where are we on the Montreal trip?

Airline tickets
Memberships
Passports
Hotel reservations waiting for the housing form to open
Super Shuttle reservations we'll do that about two months out
Learn enough French to get by and not look like Ugly Americans. considering things, i think Kirsten is going to be doing most of the talking

We're still thinking about travelers' checks v. getting Canadian currency v. just carding everything.

After that we needed to hit Costco for a few things (mostly for me.) While waiting for Kirsten to come back from the restrooms, I nearly had a heart attack. All five seasons of Babylon 5 for less than $20/season. Score!

Our neighbors are having a yard sale. I didn't see any signs for it, and they haven't even bothered to ask me to move my truck (parked right in front of the building) so they can be seen a little better. Given our crappy location, a better plan would have be to shell out the fifty bucks for a space at a flea market.. there's a couple around here every weekend.

Last night, after I got out of the shower, there was a message on my cell phone. It was Adam. Called him back and was told there are no orders for my route or two others on Monday. I was offered the chance to take Monday as PTO time. Good deal. This isn't surprising, since Monday is MLK day. A number of our regulars told us they were taking the day off.

Yes, I will write this weekend.

Comments

[slrose.livejournal.com]

As long as you attempt to speak French, the people in Montreal will take pity on you by switching to English when it's clear you are floundering.

I find a very useful phrase to be 'Parlez plus lentement, s'il vous plait' -- which means 'speak slower, please'.

Jo Walton suggests beginning the conversation "Bonjour hi", which indicates that you're anglophone but know that French is more correct.

[crankyoldgoat.livejournal.com]

vaguely recall something about using cards in foriegn counties generally getting the worst of the exchange rates (something about the difference between the exchange rate on the day of the transaction vs the day the bill is generated).

[(Anonymous)]

Most stores north of the boarder will take US dollars and convert for you on the spot. Credit cards will add about a 3% conversion surcharge. I've read that the best way to get money is to hit the ATM machines. Apparently these will run about a 1% charge and will net a savings even with out of network fees.

Might be worth a little reasearch if you have the time.

[meezergal.livejournal.com]

You usually get the best rate using credit/check cards. Banks really like the electronic transfers.

[johno.livejournal.com]

ATM, convert at bank, CC, convert at money changer, hotel, convert at store.

That is the order of best exchange rates in our experience.

Travelers checks are becoming harder and harder to use. You often end up being able to cash them only at a bank or your hotel.

The plus side of ATM/CC conversions, the exchange occurs at the best rate of the day.

sure you got a buncha stuff done

[redc1c4.livejournal.com]

but did you kill anything? %-)

BTW,look in a mirror. no matter how much fwench you know you'll still be an ugly American.

/white smoke

[jeffreyab.livejournal.com]

I am a Canadian and at worldcon I tend to bring some US cash with me and then use ATM's for more.

For big ticket items I use my VISA card.

The reverse should work for you.

[jarlsberg71.livejournal.com]

Most of the time, Credit cards/debit cards are good. but depending upon your fine print, some cards/banks charte a 2% transaction fee for moving CAD into USD. I wouldn't go out of your way for travelers cheques (even though as a "traveler" person it may be tempting :) You can easily change your currency at any Bureau De Change. they charge for it, (but you can even do it at the tourist place right behind HMV on St Catherines and they have reasonable rates. like $1.50 per transaction..

Also the airport will have a kiosk of some form no doubt.