The rollercoaster ride

Monday the 1st of July back in Worcester I apply for a permanent passport first thing in the morning. A friendly lady says they will do their best but an application can take up to 6 weeks! No guarantees,phone again on Thursday. Some hope restored. The Serbian embassy who has already issued mewith a visa says thay will re-issue the visa but the ****** Swiss say I must reapply for a new Schengen visa, that means another week delay. The visa company advises me to apply at the German consulate in Cape Town, they can issue a visa within a couple of days. I make an appointment for Monday week the 8th.

 Wednesday 3rd I enquire at home affairs, passport at the printing stage.

 Thursday 4th, it has been issued but must still be checked. At the earliest will arrive on Wednesday the next week. In the meantime Stefan is making final plans to leave on the 7th as scheduled. We get together on Thursday evening to compare notes. We will keep incontact via sms. Stefan bought a solar battery charger for cellphones and iPads. That means I can blog on the run!

Friday 5th, still no news. I ask for  a contact of a home affairs official in Pretoria but she is not available. Phone the company who organizes the German embassy appointments to postpone my apointment on Monday the 8th. Too late, have to reapply, next available appointment only on Friday the 12th. Aaaah. As I was to have departed on the 7th this is my last opportunity to postpone the flight but I have to rebook a specific date. What a difficult call to make! Eventually I decide on flying out on the 17th to give me maximum time but that means I will miss half the trip - devastated again. 

Monday the 8th 8.00 I phone Home Affairs in Pretoria, my passport is on its way should be in Worcester at 12.00. I decide to go to the German embassy for my scheduled appoitment even with no passport. A friendly embassy official again, can come without appointment as soon as my passport arrives. Whow! 11.00 Worcester home affairs phones, passport arrived. Another yippeeee! 

Tuesday 9th, off early to German embassy. The friendly official approves my application, I can collect my visa the next day, amazing! I vist the nearest Postnet to make arrangements to courier my passport the next day to the Serbian embassy in Pretoria to re-issue my visa. Just to make sure I phone the Serbian embassy to make sure they will issue the visa after I have been reassured twice before. This time after my explanation I am put through to a grumpy official, how do they know my passport was really stolen? No assurances if and when they can re-issue the visa! Aaaah, back to square one. This after I emailed them a copy of my new passport. 

Wednesday 10th . Schengen visa issued, multi-entry nogal! Off to Postnet to courier it to The Serbian embassy where it will arrive tomorrow at 9.00.