Show us a little more concern A reader called me the other day — highly irate over their most recent ex- perience with Canada Customs at the Vancouver International Airport. Their Wardair flight arrived only minutes before a CPAir — both 747’s and both com- pletely loaded. (Probably some of the passengers were, too!) As my reader and his wife inched their way along in a queue that was far too long, he noted the reason for a lot of the delay. ONLY HALF OF THE POSSIBLE EXITS WERE BEING USED! In- stead of a full complement of Customs’ officers, the place was running on half-staff. It doesn’t take a genius to read an airline schedule and to figure out that two fully- booked 747’s means about 800 people in a room that is full with half that number. Is this one of the Canadian government’s not-too-subtle hints that we should stay home and “see Canada first”? I think that the govern- ment should treat their employers — US! — with a litthe more concern. The same reader had another tip to pass along to the rest of us. When his wife filled in their declaration forms, she just scribbled-in “$150” — knowing that anything over $50 used up “their once- yearly large declaration. As they entered the cubicle, the officer examined the papers and asked: “Canadian or z THERE ARE NO Customs Agents at Pelto Lake in the Canadian Rockies. This lovely wilderness scene is American?” Without think- ing, she replied, “American.” That mistake cost them twelve dollars each. They could have changed the dectaration; gone through all their stuff and been exact BUT with 500 angry tourists behind them, they paid-up and left. As you all know, shopping is one of those activities I like on about the same scale as cleaning ovens. Between Sears’ catalogue and the telephone, I can accomplish more in a half-hour than all those poor fools tramping through crowded, overheated stores. But, one thing constantly eludes me! King-sized sheets! Our bed is big enough for our entire family, plus four cats to curl- up in comfort and watch a special TV show. After many years of wear, the sheets began to give up the ghost and I shopped around to try and find some Canadian store with a good selection. Forget it! When I found some, they were too small (our bed is a CALI- FORNIA KING — bigger than average) and I] balked at paying over $75 for one set with pillow cases. At Woolworth’s, in Maui Mall near Kahalui airport, I got a lovely set for under $35 —— Wabasso. Also, the American Sears catalogue sells PURE COT- TON King-Size for even less common through the Rockies and is just one of the reasons why so many Canadians are opting for a Made in Canada holiday. ee eae ccininantoniiietenctien, , Lorna Pattit Consultant #112. Kapitano 100 than that (white only). Dur- “Ge by. Barbara McCreadie ing the heat of the summer, nothing is nicer than these as all that polyester junk makes you clammy. They caution that pure cotton will require some ironing but after mine hang outside on a brisk, win- dy day, they are just fine. So, Canada Customs! My “under $50 oral declaration” was completely legal. Hey! Maybe I'll quit the travel-writing business and start a shopping column. On second thought, forget I ever said that! Yesterday the mail brought a card from Pablo. “Arriving sometime between TRAVEL INFORMATION GORDON HANNA 987-9501 ead HOURS FREE TRANS to tererurial EUROPEAN CAMPING HOLIDAYS FOR THE 18- 30's Gm ma k — An shogether different expertence Do you want to tour Europe but worry about how to travel and the cost? CONTIKI has the solution camping tours designed tor the young traveller in Britain and t urope tn lengths trom 2 weeks to 2 months Take a charter thght to London where you join your Conthe Tour Prices start as low as CA $30 OO per day including all ttansportaton accommodation meals and ~ sightseeing new ——_ —=——honzon Park Royal South, West Vancouver FOR FULL OE TAILS CALL 926-4344 the 20-24 February (plus or minus)” Meanwhile, he’s floating around the Carib- bean on a cruise ship with his family. As I look out the window and see the ice, I can’t feel the least bit sorry for him — but what a shock a Canadian winter will be to someone from sunny Argentina! Luggage! After buying two matching cases for two of my daughters for Christmas, I am ‘furious! We paid a hideous price for these pret- ty litde things — and they aren't worth the powder to blow them up. My own “Skyway” bag has wheeled me through years of airports and over some of the bumpiest concources ever designed. I move: it follows. It’s wheels remain intact. It holds everything I need. No lousy zippers to tangle my lingerie. Three firm clasps clamp down — even if I have to sit on it! Ed- monton airport chewed-up one side, but who cares? Its bright orange color, and dented frame make it un- mistakable. The two new bags are more than a pain in the tail. The wheels, which we had to buy separately for ten bucks, fall off. They choose times that are inconvenient, such C7-Wednesday, February 13, 1980 - North Shore News as when the beast is commit- ted to an airline conveyer belt. “Stop! You’ve dropped my wheel!” The alternative is to remove the wihtecis, using the luggage key, when waiting for your turn at the desk. Then, you drop the hittle devils into your purse and reconnect them upon ar- rival. Yetch! The zippers have a mind of their own. Abstaining from the $3.95 T-shirt, they enjoy the $50 _ blouse, especially silk. Even worse is Mom’s new bag. Instead of having four wheels, it has two in the rear. Fully loaded, that bag is Just as heavy to wheel as it is to carry, since you have to hold the front part up. Dammit, Skyway, why did you have to quit making your luggage in Canada? I've been advised to re- mind readers who are buying ski packages to Canadian and American resorts: Make sure that your ski-lift tickets are included in your package because the lack can up your costs $20 a day. If they aren't, you're hardly saving money by taking a cheaper package! As before, on family holidays, babysitting for Lonsdale Foods Ltd. 140 Lonsdale Ave., N.Van. Nestles Mini-Puddings 3x 5oz. Draino Liquid Drain Cleaner 32 oz. $1 AirCore Air Freshner 7 o2. 79¢ 3 for the price of 2 985-5411 Downy Fabric Softener 34 oz. Pampers (daytime-30 pack) 11-16 Ib. $2.99 19 | Whole Fresh Chicken 87¢/lb. ° Bgs 1.37/ib. Pic-o-Pop $3.49 plus deposit Health Foods and Exotic Spices Valid to Feb 20th/80 one Open Sun. 12-4 FREE DELIVERY All RSP’s are not alike. YOUR RSP. EASILY SWITCHED nding in line for the government other guests became our mtual. Our Suzy minded a pair of little boys from Win- nipeg and a baby girl from West Vancouver. One night, when the storm was at its height. Sue was minding the baby. Janine ventured downstairs and returned, reporting: There's no more candles and Suzy is sitting in the dark. The parents arrived home to find Suzy — and her father! — playing gin rummy by the light of one of our last candles. Suzy got paid her $2 an hour and I had to tease Brian! “I wonder if they realize what a couple of hours for a Chartered Ac- countant is worth! Next time, suggest that they leave their tax returns for you. That way, they'll get a com- bination tax accountant and babysitter!” passport hotos while you wait North Shore Darkroom 1527 Lonsdale 988-9813 HAWAII $299 Alr onty WAIKIKI $469 6 Days, 7 Nights, Ar & Hote! WAIKIKI $579 15 Days, 14 Nights, Ak & Hote! LAS VEGAS $189 5 Days, 4 Nights, Ak & Mote! RENO $239 8 Days, 7 Night, Al & Hote! RENO $189 5 Days, 4 Nights, Al & Hote! CENTA Tours 1666 Robson Street 10507 K. Geo. Hwy. Surrey 689-7117 Reg. Travel Agent No. 157-3 TO CANADA TRUST If you already have a retirement savings plan, consider switching to Canada Trust In most cases switching to us is easy Just say the word We'll do the rest All RSP’s are not alike Canada Irust Ca Most branches open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday 41st Ave W at Yew 261 1301 * Denman at Comox 683-5644 Cambie at 41st 261 7266 ¢ West Pender at Hornby (Mon-Fri 8 to 5) 688.8444 450 Main at Pender (Mon Sat 9 to 6) 682-6701 West Vancouver Park Royal Shopping Centre 926 5484 Burnaby 5000 Kingsway 437-0814 New Westminster 6th St at 7th Ave 525.1022 (Mon-Thurs B8to 6 Fig’ to 8 Sat 9 to 4) Richmond Lansdowne Park Mall (Alderbridge entrance) 278 3188 Brighouse Centre (No 3 at Cook Broadmoor Shopping Centre (No 3 at Williams) 271 1620 Langley Willowbrook Mail 530-0714 Surrey Guildtord Place 581 1919 Victoria View at Broad 382-6111 (Mon Thurs 8 30 to 4 30, Fri to 6) Clearbrook Meadow Fair Plaza, South Fraser Way 853.5921 Nanaimo Terminal Park Plaza 754 7731 d) 278 7735