This morning I woke in a cheerful disposition until I read my emails and one was from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, advising me my I-94 visa was about to expire and that I only had 10 days to leave, before my admission to the USA would expire…

What the??? What is an I-94 Visa???

I spent the next two hours on hold to be told (although, very nicely) that I needed to be in contact with the local Deferred Inspection Site. My closest office being Portland or Seattle, here are the contact numbers.

Needless to say, I was starting to get slightly stressed, however, Customs and Border Protection had been helpful so far…

I phoned the Portland office, a grumpy man who I can say would have been 99.999999% wearing a uniform, answered and advised me that I needed to fax all of the details and passport and visa information to the office which they would then review. And, I better do it now because it can take up to two weeks. And, why, why-why would we be away for 7 months, what could we be doing?

Really, a fax, who uses a FAX? He would not even entertain the idea of emailing the information through and appointments? They don’t do appointments.

I thought I should give the Seattle office a call, maybe being a bigger office they might have more advanced technology ie. email, appointments…

Another very grumpy man answered and I am absolutely sure he was wearing a uniform. His conversation started by telling me that they could not even begin to help me as I am not in Washington State and even when I told him I could be in Seattle, he still persisted to tell me that I needed to contact Portland.

The good thing was that even though he kept telling me he couldn’t help, he did keep answering my questions.

He also proceeded to tell me that he did not believe me that the email I received was from Customs and Border Protection and there is NO WAY they would send an email out like that.

Umm, just a little note sir, as per your countries Customs and Border Protection website:

CBP Reminds Travelers of Time Remaining in the US with Expanded I-94 Website Feature and Email Notifications

Release Date:

January 5, 2018

WASHINGTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched two new traveler compliance initiatives today to make it easier for Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers to check the status of their stay in the United States and remain in compliance with the terms of their admission. A new feature added to the I-94 website under the “View Compliance” tab allows VWP travelers to check the status of their admission to the United States. This check will inform travelers of the number of days remaining on their lawful admission or the number of days they have remained past their admitted until date. In addition, CBP will now send an email notification to VWP travelers who are still in the United States 10 days prior to the expiration of their lawful admission period. CBP has taken these proactive steps to help inform and remind travelers of the terms of their admission and to prevent travelers from overstaying.

Maybe he didn’t get the memo because it wasn’t faxed…

Reading or hearing between the lines, I think what has happened is: when we returned to the USA (into New York) from Cuba, the officer entered Noah and myself under an I-94 (Visa Waiver Program) instead of the B2 Visa. This gave us only 3 months entry instead of 6 months. Noah is not even covered under a current Visa Waiver Program, only the B2 Visa.

Unfortunately, I did not pick this up, which I should have been on top of.

As soon as Wes’ arm has been given the all clear we will drive to Portland, Seattle and then onto Vancouver and as long as Noah and I leave the country by the 26 July I am hoping we should be fine.

Sorting it out at the border is our only option, there is not a chance I would risk trying to get any help from Portland or Seattle. They have made me feel like a liar and a criminal and are clearly not on top of their job, I am scared they will lock me up! Ok, maybe a bit dramatic.

Give an American a uniform…

I understand the need to defend their borders, but it is not necessary to be rude and intimidating, particularly to an Australian women traveling with her husband and two young boys, I am not exactly a big threat.

I mean really, beautiful country America but completely broken. I don’t think you would find many Australians who would want to swap and live here, for good.

And another thing (which I did tell one of the officers), I know Americans cannot fathom the idea of traveling for 7 months, they wouldn’t have the time or money (when minimum wages can be as low as $2.50 an hour) or even want. BUT it is not uncommon for Australians and visitors from other countries to do this.

Countries who pay proper wages and are interested in exploring different parts of the world…

Oh, and we have been traveling for a while, many places we go to are very sad and concerned about the state of their economy, we are visitors, spending money, in your economy, do you not want our money…

I may have forgotten to mention that the first ‘young’ gentlemen at the Customs and Border Protection helpdesk I spoke to (as lovely and concerned as he was, take note ‘old uniform intimidating’ men), told me he could not really understand what I was talking about because ‘he really didn’t travel’. Please, somebody in this position might need some knowledge on how traveling in and out of a country works, using a passport?

Ok, enough of the rant. Noah and I did go for a lovely run along the gorgeous green streets and houses into town this morning.

Some of the houses had the wonderful book swap box outside. I love this idea but I doubt they would last 5 minutes in Geraldton without being vandalised.

Oh Gee, I really am a negative Nancy today.

The temperature today will reach 39 degrees, Aussie degrees, the hot stuff.

Pete and Noah went for a short ride in the heat.

Wes and I tried to stay as cool as it can be in the motorhome.

Across the road in the steaming heat for a delicious dinner at an American style Japanese restaurant, Matsukaze. A nice surprise.

Back to the motorhome to relax. Hopefully, Wes’ arm goes well and we can get out of here, after today I am ready to leave the USA…for a while…