Passport and visa stories -- do you have one?

[jashermd]

Hello,

There was an article in this morning's paper about the weirdest reasons people in the UK have given for needing to get their passports replaced:

1. Caught short without loo roll in Australian outback. Passport only paper handy.
2. Microwaved it by accident (not sure how this ruined the passport, unless it burst into flames)
3. Fell off cliff and passport left at bottom by rescuers (the traveller survived)

I've lost one passport but it wasn't nearly so dramatic.

My sister does have a funny story about getting her visa for China. She went to the embassy on her lunch break, where there was a long queue. Slowly the queue inched forward. There was a sign above the window which said, 'Closing for lunch at 12:30.' My sister finally reached the front of the line at about 12:20 and handed in her forms. Time ticked by. As the second hand passed 12 and it became 12:30:05, the person came back and handed my sister's paperwork back -- without the visa -- and banged the window shut. It was lunchtime in China, and that was that. (She did eventually get the visa -- if nothing else the experience prepared her for the attitude typical of bureaucrats in China, where the 'workers' party' didn't seem to be able to motivate people to actually work).

Anyone here have a funny passport or visa story?

Cheers,
Julian

[kyshel]

I recently needed extra pages for my passport. South Africa required 2 blanks and I was right on the cusp and would have a problem if I had to "miss" connect in Dakar.
This was summer, when the US had issuance "issues" with anything remotely tied to passports.

Once I actually got a person on the line (after the multiple calls to the automated system)I was told I could not get an appointment for extra pages unless my Congressman "sent" me. They insisted I would not need a letter...well, yep, you guessed it--after waiting in 100 degree heat for several hours just to be admitted to the building--"where's your Congressional Letter?" Cel call to the Congressman's staff again--she'll fax it--I waited and waited (inside this time), applied for the pages--"you'll have your passport back by 4 pm". 4:15, 4:45...now 5:05 (my return flight--last one out, of course is 5:55. I was handed the book and to my astonished eyes--the page edges are sticking out and have been taped inside crookedly and it looks like it's been defaced!! For the record--they actually stamp that the government did it, not me, so I have no room to complain. (PLUS--I had to pay the expedite fee of $65 anyway!!!) So, I ran out of the building, walked 6 blocks to the Metro, waited 4 minutes, took the train to DCA, got my boarding card seat request, scanned thru security and ended up at the gate with 15 minutes to spare--I am not making this up!! I made the flight and got upgraded to first class. Need I mention that I had a glass of wine immediately?
My heart pounds just remembering that day!
May I say that the DC Metro is one of the best in the world?

[bonniejoy03]

Strange passport story if anyone knows why this happened:....Walkingacross the border from Guatemala to Belize, the Belizian immigration officer looked through our passport for about 10 minutes. They he looked us in the eye and said " Why do you have so many US passport stamps?" I didn't know what to say...I live in the US and they stamp me in everytime!!!! It seemed so mysterious yet bizarre....anyone???

[bonniejoy03]

OK...one more from me. Does anyone remember in the 80's when you needed a VISA to go to France?! I remember being organized so my friend and I got one. When we arrived, almost NOONE on the plane had this visa. They were all taken to a holding area. (hopefully they are fine by now!) Can't remember why this was needed but it only lasted a VERY short time. It was crazy!

[kyshel]

Bonnie--here's one to add to the French visa saga: Airline crews are required to have French visas--special picture size requirements, time restrictions, etc...BUT...US citizens don't need one to enter on the same flight! I think it's a **bleep**-for-tat situation between the 2 governments.
The airline crews actually have a special paper they can have stamped for German entry, so they don't use up their regular pages.
GO FIGGER!!!

OH NO--I got bleeped-sorry.

Message Edited by kyshel on 02-04-2008 03:54 PM

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Kyshel. Is this still true today that the crews need a French visa??? I thought this was only in the 80's. Why is it required anyways? I thought it was strange back then and find it strange if it is still going on! I did check our old passports and I have my old French visa!

[kyshel]

I have my old one, too, Bonnie. That was at least 2 passports ago!
I forgot the other story (happens when you exceed 50...) about leaving my passport under the ironing board cover at friend's home in London (I have no idea why that was a good place to hide it?) So, we left for the ferry to Le Harve, France and I realized a bit late--SO--we had to break a window (friend's were gone--we put the key in the mail slot routine...) get the passport--AND, would you believe--that darned French agent didn't even stamp my book!! I practically demanded it, so he did, reluctantly...WOW--I was pretty feisty then (20+ yrs ago??)

[lhbrown]

Hi guys,

We are re-inventing the wheel here. We have more than 3 full pages on this subject under "Safety in foreign lands", a thread started a while back by funtimes which has lots of the same tips, suggestions and more on this subject. Just do a search under "Safety in foreign lands" and you will find all the recommendations there.

In order to avoid duplication and starting new threads on the same subject, it might be helpful to do a seach on key words first, like pass ports and credit cards. The problem with the Question and Answers board is that if something does not appear on the first page, it easily gets overlooked. But it easy to do a search and finding answers on any given subjec without cluttering up the board with new threads By doing the search and posting on the original thread, this would bring the older thread back to the forefront.



Message Edited by lhbrown on 02-06-2008 05:42 AM

[kyshel]

This thread is different from the one you cite. The purpose is to tell stories, not give tips about safety. Yes, there may be some overlap--not everyone is interested in searching topics prior to posting--that's the nature of the [forum] beast. I would have thought you'd have some great stories, tho!
I, for one, would love to hear more.

[lhbrown]

Hi kyshel,
Wauh you came back quick. I see, you want to put the emphasis on "story", fair enough. But isn't the moral of the "story" to learn from it, and therefore act wiser the next time around. Yes, there is great overlap in the two threads. However, I do feel, that only the latest threads get attention and the board is growing voluminous with too many repetitions, duplications and overlaps. A quick search on any given subject would aleviate that and would bring the older threads on similar subjects back to the forefront.
Yes, I do have my fair share of stories, but on this subject, I posted most of them under the "safety in foreign lands" thread a while back without being repetitve here.