Spoiler Alert:
We have Visas.
After 15 hours of driving in the last two days...we have the coolest looking passport stamp thing I've ever seen. Seriously....for those who have got the Visa stamp, doesn't it just look cool?
Our visa task was kicked off when we got our plane tickets, shortly after we overnighted a key letter to Raleigh to have it apostilled.
While this has been typically a very quick process, there was a delay, and on Monday of this week Andi called the state to ask the question first postulated by Marvin Gaye, "Hey, what's going on?" They said they didn't have the documents at all, and even though it was signed for, they didn't have any record of our request. We got 2 new copies of the letter on Monday night, notarized, then I was off to Raleigh on Tuesday. Upon arriving in Raleigh (without expanding too much), I was told again that they had no record of our documents, and that the letters I brought wouldn't work. Andrea explained this to the consulate, who said we'd be fine with just a notarized copy when applying in person. Live and learn we thought...I drove home....went to work....to come home to find....the copies of the letters sent back, fully completed, by the state. Wow. I do have some perspective a day later, but if I would written about this yesterday, this would read more like an episode of HBO's Deadwood.
The drive to Hotlanta today was a joy. A chance to test drive our van, see how far you can really drive once the LCD screen reads '0 miles to empty', and just a chance for us to dialogue about our thoughts, hopes, and fears with all that is going on.
The employees at the consulate couldn't be nicer. They asked to see pics of our boys, the paperwork was in perfect order....Andrea has been the organizational queen (did you really think I would play a part in that...)...and we hit the road, visas in hand, and got her home for her work & friends shower tonight.
2 more days to go...we HOPE we have solutions for both dogs....lots of loose ends to tie down.....sigh!
Well folks....I think these guys said it best...
We're leaving together
but still it's farewell....
.......will things ever be the same again?
It's the final countdown.
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3 comments:
Hang in there, you guys! The end of preparation is in sight, and someone will surely step forward to take care of your faithful canine family members! We look forward to journeying along with you guys! (oh so much!)
Ah...wish I had known you guys were headed to Atlanta yesterday. I would have tried to find a way to meet up with you for a cup of coffee or something. The folks at the consulate here are great. Very nice and so helpful. Glad you made it through that part and have everything you need for traveling to Colombia. Its getting really close now
Eeek! Only a few more days! You both are going to have such a nice time...enjoy it!!!
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