I don't know what it is, but every time I cross the border into Canada, it's as if a great burden is lifted from my shoulders.
I suppose it could be that by now we have a wonderful collection of friends in Vancouver. Or that, most times the Canadian border patrol is so much more friendlier and polite than my experiences coming back, where even a US passport is no guarantee of being treated with civility (by people who are in essence working for me).
I noticed it yesterday as I drove up to spend the day taking pictures. Once I entered that new country, soon to be mine, it was as if the very air was different. Calmer. Better. Oh, Canada...