Breakfast was simply Frosted Flakes, waffles and a cup of coffee. I didn’t get a chance to eat much since I overslept a bit and I was on the baggage loading team. Andrew and I along with new recruit Xiao loaded the bus. About 20 minutes later, the bus left Greenfield and headed for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.


The bus ride was quite short; lasting only about half an hour to get to Indianapolis. As soon as we arrived, we got off the bus, walked about 20m and went into another bus for the tour of the racetrack. We drove along the racetrack while the overhead speakers told the history of the speedway since it first opened in 1911. We drove past the pagoda, the VIP seats and the golf course that was partially inside the tracks. We did a full lap around the track and we crossed the original brick finish line. Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to get off the bus and kiss the bricks like how the racers would do.

The day started with a continental breakfast. There was cereal, sausages, eggs and hot sauce. I’ve been looking for hot sauce and I finally found it. I had my long awaited eggs with hot sauce and got ready for our trip to the museum across the street. Andrew Irvine and I volunteered to load the luggage on the bus. We received top class instructions from our bus driver and officially became the baggage handling instructors. After the loading the bus, we drove to the National Air Force Museum.


The museum consisted of three giant hangars full of aircraft from WWI up to the Cold War and missiles/rockets. We were given meeting times by Capt. Wagner at the Atrium and we were let loose like sheep. This place was like a sweets factory for my aviation soul; there were so many eye candies for me to indulge. I paired up with Hussein and went on our adventure. Our plan was to go to the space exhibition first then move back in time. That plan went horribly wrong as we zipped through the WWI section and came back to where we started. He and I sighed and decided to do it the normal
 way.

I went completely crazy with pictures. Both my tourist instinct and my photography passion kicked in at the same time making me the photo maniac in the building. I would sit down on the floor with my camera and my head three inches off the ground and sometimes I would have the camera high above my head while on my toes to get some shots of those pesky tail-draggers. The lighting was a real pain in the rear end. The hangar was a bit dim and the spotlights shining into the lens were like flash bombs. Getting the right angle while covering up the glare was tricky and awkward but it resulted in some great shots ike the one below.

Breakfast at Don Cherry’s had the greatest little pancakes that I’ve ever had and the worst orange juice I’ve ever had. We finished eating, packed up and went to cross the border. The cadets filed out of the bus at the border with serious faces and handful of electronics for the Y38 form; well, mine was more like an armful because of my laptop and various other items. Everyone passed the border inspection without any trouble and the wheels were rolling down the freeway.


Today was pretty much dedicated for traveling to Dayton and everyone was prepared for the long 7 hour bus drive. I took a quick snooze as we left the border while listening to music. Although it was somewhat uncomfortable, that hour snooze really helped me get through the day. I woke up, saw the final battle scene of How to Tame a Dragon and watched a standup comedy show with Hussein on my laptop. Oh man, Joe Rogan is a hilarious guy. Hussein and I were laughing out loud while getting awkward looks from others around us. After the show, Tristan sat next to me and we watched My Neighbor Totoro. Ling Ling, who was sitting behind us joined in and the three of us watched the movie trying to hear the movie over all the background noises.


For our very first meal in America, the bus rolled into a McDonald’s; the most iconic fast food restaurant. 

*Yay, I have internet. But it’s horribly slow. I can finally upload posts and contact my parents!!!!



The day started at 6:00am with a wake-up call. But let’s be honest, who wakes up right away? Tristan and I
snoozed for another 15 minutes and started getting ready for breakfast. I had to re-iron my golf shirt and Tristan couldn’t find his socks. In the end both of us made it to breakfast on time.


We ate our standard continental hotel breakfasts, loaded our luggage and went on the bus headed for Hamilton. I sat next to another Andrew; Andrew Irvine. We got to know each other pretty well during that short bus trip and I revealed my identity as a tourist by getting the Maid of the Mist confused with the “Lady of the Mist”
 
We arrived at the Canadian warplane museum in Hamilton. Unfortunately, the storm covering southern Ontario
effected the museum operation therefore closing for the day. I was really looking forward to seeing the Lancaster but we adapted to the change went to see HMCS Haida; the only remaining Tribal class destroyer. I found it quite ironic that the first attraction was a naval ship but nonetheless we spent a great time on the ship and saw a lot of things that brought unleashed our inner sea cadets.

*So, I guess the Sheraton Hotel doesn’t have free wifi. It costs a whopping 10$ for an hour of internet. Uhhhh, no thanks. I’ll just upload it a day later.


The day started off with a very early morning. Woke up at ten to three in the morning, got dressed into my uniform and left the house at 3:30; when it was still pitch dark outside. The highway up to Comox was frightening without a single streetlight between Qualicum and Comox.


I got to the airport terminal at 5am and went through customs. Like usual, I took off my boots, belt, wedge and asked a security guard if I could keep my pins on since they’re a pain to get back on. I swear, he said it should be fine but nope, I got chosen for the pat-down from another security guard. After my body was caressed for any hidden objects, I uncomfortably put my clothes back on and headed into the waiting area where I was greeted by three other cadets.

6:00am, the four cadets got on the Boeing 737-700 headed for Calgary while the sun was peeking over the horizon.

Passport, check.
Movement orders, check.
US money, check.
tons of clothes, check.

The joining instructions, like every other cadet instructions, had a kit list attached to it. But this was the first time they actually mentioned to bring electronics for long bus rides. Every other camps I've been to, those items were on the forbidden items list. (not that anybody abided by those rules)