13 February 2009

Our Trip to the Brazilian Consulate.

SOME SUITE IN SOME BUILDING IN HOUSTON:

Small Brazilian flag hanging in the window: Hello! I am the only indication that this is the Brazilian consulate!

Sarah and Me: *take two tickets that say ADMIT ONE (what, is this a state fair?) and sit down*

Everyone else: *waiting patiently in line*

Lady at the visa window: Number 73...73....number 73...Anyone? Bueller?

Some guy: *goes up to the window to turn in forms*

Lady at the visa window: [to some guy at the window] You have to pay $20 since you are applying for a third party.

Some guy: Cool. So where in Brazil are you from?

Lady at the visa window: Sir, I am not in the mood to be hit on right now.

Some guy: Wah.

Me: Oh no why doesn't the website say that I have to pay $20? I have Lexie's forms and no cash and omg what if she makes me pay omgomgomgomgomgomg!

Sarah: Dude, chill out. I have $20.

Some guy who has no idea what's going on: *cuts in front of everyone* Um, I just have a really quick question...Uh, my flight is next Friday...so like, what are the chances that I can get a visa by then?

Lady at the visa window: *audible sigh* Sir, it is going to take a minimum of 7 business days to process your request. As it is CLEARLY indicated on the piece of paper taped to this window AND the website AND should be common sense . *seethe*

Everyone else: *glare*

Some guy who has no idea what's going on: No but like, I tried to fill out the form online and and it didn't work. So since your stupid website doesn't work, you should make an exception for me and give me a visa RIGHT NOW OK?

Lady at the visa window: Sir, do you see all of these people waiting behind you? They ALL KNOW HOW TO USE THE INTERNET. And you're wasting their time.

Everyone else: *glare*

Some other guy that works at the consulate: *appears out of nowhere* Sir, do you have the rest of your forms? Do you have a photo? DO YOU HAVE YOUR ITINERARY???


Some guy who has no idea what's going on: Yes, I have all of that, it's right here.

Some other guy that works at the consulate: Okay, you're saying you have these things, but you're not showing them to me. I need you to show them to me.

Some guy who has no idea what's going on: They're right here! *waves papers*

Some other guy that works at the consulate: Okay, you're saying you have these things, but you're not showing them to me. I need you to show them to me.

Some guy who has no idea what's going on: *facepalm*

Sarah and Me:
o_O

Lady at the visa window: *calls our number*

The visa application process: *is not as intense as I thought it would be*

My passport: NNNOOO DON'T LEAVE ME!!! You will never see me again if you leave me here in this stack of applications! Nooooooooooooooooo. Goodbye, cruel world.




Waiting in line:

Man hitting on visa lady:

02 February 2009

First Post Whee.

Finally official! March 12th, Sarah, Andrew, Lex, and I will be headed to Buenos Aires. Can't wait to eat a steak. Hope I understand the PorteƱos and their silly accent. Jo quiero un pojo. No. That is a lie, but fun to say in Argentine accent. Really jo quiero un bistec.

Read a website that says Argentine women dress v. nicely. Will need to get pretteh clothes.

Then Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to see Christ the Redeemer, go hang gliding, lay on beach, take panoramic pictures, pay stupid amounts of money for things because we are tourists, etc. etc. Everyone in Brazil is a model, obviously, so w
ill need to be in v. good shape.

Until then, lots to do. N
eed Brazilian tourist visas, which means paperwork, photos, a trip to Brazilian consulate in Houston M-F 9-12 (why?! why not normal business hours? WAH), and about $150. Right now have about $600 saved for spring break, which covers Brazilian visa, entrance fee to Argentina (reciprocated entrance fee for Argentinians to get into States. thanks, U.S.), and flight from Buenos to Rio.

Need more money since I don't want to sleep on the streets of South America. In a box.

And now for your enjoyment, a picture of a jet, much like the one we will be flying. Because there is nothing else relevant to this entry that I can post a picture of.



More soon.

V

Days until South America: 39