It's time for a vacation. The timing is just right to take one the second week in March before we start our next Alpha Course.
First we thought Rio de Janeiro, but the visa process was a little problematic with my passport expiring in August. I needed to get my passport renewed at the US Embassy, get a new entrance stamp at Peruvian Immigrations (which involved having my entering plane ticket... from 15 months ago), and then apply for the tourist visa for Brazil. Not likely in 2-3 weeks without a lot of stress.
Next idea, Colombia. No visas. No expiring passport problems. We're planning on going to Cartagena March 9, right after the SAM Peru field conference next week. We have an extended layover in Panama and are going to see the Canal, too! What a bonus! Tim bought the plane tickets this morning.
Well I just found out that our Peruvian ID cards expire March 1. WHAT?! How did that go unnoticed? To get back into Peru after leaving the country, I'm pretty sure residents with visas (like my non-Catholic religious worker visa) need their Peruvian ID cards.
I'm hoping this means I can give my presentation first tomorrow and skip out on the rest of class to go visit the zoo they call the Peruvian Immigration Office. I'm hoping it's not going to mean forfeiting my tickets and vacation.
On a positive note, I think after entering the country from Colombia, I'll have a used plane ticket to take when I get my passport renewed and need a new Peruvian entrance stamp.
Oh, bureaucracy.
