This morning I took the first step in fixing the problem with my RCMP criminal record check: I was fingerprinted.

Carefully following the instructions on the Canadian government website, I first found a fingerprint service in Canada, which was easy because I just used the same one I used before. From their site I was able to download the necessary forms, which I duly filled in, ready to present myself at a very official looking office on Tucuman. As it turned out, unlike the fingerprint service in Canada, this is actually a government department, which is good because it didn’t cost anything. The Canadian service costs $120!

Anyway, I arrived at 8.30 am and joined the “Fila #1” (the first line), only to eventually find I was not only in the wrong line but the wrong office. I had to go out the door, turn left and go in next door. I did that, and went through the dingy glass fronted door that seems typical of government offices everywhere, into an equally dingy office containing four desks piled high with papers. And two women engaged in earnest conversation.

One of them reluctantly stepped forward to serve me. She didn’t say a word, just looked at me. In my best Spanish, I told her I wanted to have my fingerprints taken on this form. She looked at it for a moment, said “Black pen. Here is blue,” and handed it back to me. I had completed the form in the wrong colour ink! What was I thinking??

I asked if I could write over it in black, but she sent me outside to wait for “Fernando”. He arrived a short time later, and at least he was jovial and friendly. Miss Congeniality explained my mistake, and he said, “No problem. I will print out another form for you to do it again.” However, when he presented me with the form a moment later, I pointed out it was the FBI form and I needed the one from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police — yes, I gave them their full title just to be sure.

“Ah, Canada!” he said. What a concept!

Anyway, he printed out the form and while I was filling it out, he conferred with Miss Congeniality. “It doesn’t say anywhere here the form has to be in black ink,” he said. “But it does,” she stated flatly. I think she just made up the rule because I had interrupted her conversation.

I was then walked down to another, even dingier little room and “dabbed”. Fernando gave me some foul smelling liquid to rub off the ink, and I was done.

Apparently they don’t send the papers to Canada; I have to do that. But that’s good, because at least I can send them by FedEx, which I’m sure would have been an unsurmountable obstacle, at least if Miss Congeniality had anything to do with it.

Writers’ Group

When I finished the dabs, my day took a turn for the better, as I went to take part in a writers’ group I had been told about by two BAIN friends, Cliff and Paddy. It was great. We met at a restaurant over coffee and medialunas, which was a good start.

We each talked about our writing week and then did a writing exercise, which was good practice. Then we each read something we were working on and got some helpful critiques.

I’ve never belonged to a writers’ group before, and I think this is going to be good for my writing as well as lots of fun.

On Friday the saga continues as Cecilia and I go back to the Customs Office to see if I can finally get access to my boxes.

So today I girded up my loins to go to the Canadian Consulate in the morning and the Argentine Customs in the afternoon.

Canadian Consulate

It was a lovely morning and the consulate is located in a pleasant, leafy area, so I didn’t mind the walk. When I got there, I first had to give up my cell phone to the guard on the front desk. Then, at the reception desk, I explained what I wanted.

I had found out from the website that they were open Monday to Thursday, 8.30 am to noon, and 2 pm to 4 pm. But now I was told that they don’t see members of the public in the morning, just in the afternoon. However, I could go into a little booth and hit the yellow button and I would be connected with Natalia, who was the one I wanted to talk to. (Why did I think this would be easier just because it was Canadian? Dealing with any government is never easy!)

Anyway, even though it seemed a silly way to have a conversation, her upstairs and me down in the lobby, she did give me the information I needed. I have to get my fingerprints taken here and then they have to be sent (on paper, not electronically) to a designated fingerprint company in Canada. They will digitize the paper prints (!) and send them to the RCMP. The RCMP process takes about three days, and then they will send the document to me, or someone I designate — by Canada Post! Then that person has to have the document notarized and then take it to be authenticated by Global Affairs (where all the problems started last time). Then it must be sent to the Argentine Consulate in Toronto or Montreal for legalization, and finally sent back to me in Buenos Aires. Only then can my residency application continue.

Fortunately, through my CAPS connections, I have found someone who will take care of all the steps for me in Ottawa, so it shouldn’t take more than a few weeks. Of course I can’t do the fingerprints until next Wednesday, because they are only open on Wednesdays and Fridays!

My Boxes

We went back to Customs and Immigration this morning with my list of contents duly translated into Spanish. Imagine our surprise when they told us everything was now in order! Did that mean we were done? Well no, not quite. The file will now be sent to Customs (in another location), and if all is OK they will tell this morning’s person when we can go to release the boxes. But of course they can’t advise us of this by email or phone or anything 21st century, so we have to go down there again next Friday. The guy told Cecilia if they are not ready then he will “see what I can do”!

But I must say I feel this is very close to done now. I think my boxes will soon be mine again.

Isn’t this fun?