I am switching from AlJazeera to BBC to Fox News to catch up on election news. It is remarkable how far removed we are from the US. Of course the results of the election affect the whole world including Ecuador. Most foreigners favour Obama, and most expect him to win. It is an odd experience to watch Fox news, which is far to the right, almost bizarrely so, and vehemently against Obama. BBC and AlJazeera try to be evenhanded and dispassionate.
I learned today again that it is better to be Canadian than American. Eric and I got all our papers together to get our Brasilian visa. Everything was smooth and easy and there was no line, a computer system that worked, we had all the papers we needed, and only had to go to a bank and deposit $65 for me (Canadian!!!!) and $160 for Eric and Maya. The Americans have imposed an equally tough visa cost, so the Brasilians are charging an equal and amount for US Citizens (reciprocity). I actually have a visa in my old passport from five years ago, but have no idea where my passport is, and am obliged to get a new one.
It was such a relief to experience the calm and peace in the embassy. Why is the Ecuador system so complicated? Eric's visa runs out in a few days and he will brave the immigration office tomorrow, pick up his number early, and wait with his papers and hope that the clerk that takes him does not change the rules again and compel him to get another paper/notarized document/stamped document etc. Maya's special stamped birth certificate should arrive in a few days so that we can try to get her visa. I have a little more time left, and hope that there will be no glitches for me. We are under the gun now, all running out of time, and uncertain as to whether we will in fact succeed with this elusive visa. I cannot believe that Eric spent a day in the Ecuadorian embassy in DC getting visas for the cats and never bothered to check to see which visa we would need. It never occurred to me to doubt him when he claimed we did not require a visa. He tells me the rules have recently changed.
I skipped my Spanish class with Amparo today. I am wondering if I ought to switch gears and focus on Portugese. We will be in Brasil in a month, I bought the Rosetta Stone course, and have yet to start working on it!
I learned today again that it is better to be Canadian than American. Eric and I got all our papers together to get our Brasilian visa. Everything was smooth and easy and there was no line, a computer system that worked, we had all the papers we needed, and only had to go to a bank and deposit $65 for me (Canadian!!!!) and $160 for Eric and Maya. The Americans have imposed an equally tough visa cost, so the Brasilians are charging an equal and amount for US Citizens (reciprocity). I actually have a visa in my old passport from five years ago, but have no idea where my passport is, and am obliged to get a new one.
It was such a relief to experience the calm and peace in the embassy. Why is the Ecuador system so complicated? Eric's visa runs out in a few days and he will brave the immigration office tomorrow, pick up his number early, and wait with his papers and hope that the clerk that takes him does not change the rules again and compel him to get another paper/notarized document/stamped document etc. Maya's special stamped birth certificate should arrive in a few days so that we can try to get her visa. I have a little more time left, and hope that there will be no glitches for me. We are under the gun now, all running out of time, and uncertain as to whether we will in fact succeed with this elusive visa. I cannot believe that Eric spent a day in the Ecuadorian embassy in DC getting visas for the cats and never bothered to check to see which visa we would need. It never occurred to me to doubt him when he claimed we did not require a visa. He tells me the rules have recently changed.
I skipped my Spanish class with Amparo today. I am wondering if I ought to switch gears and focus on Portugese. We will be in Brasil in a month, I bought the Rosetta Stone course, and have yet to start working on it!
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