Run Lola Run*
Did you hold your breath?
My passport had expired. I hadn't realized.
I have plenty of excuses: after my last trip to Italy I really wasn't thinking about leaving the country anytime soon, K secretly made the arrangements for this trip and we never considered that my passport might have expired, and the five of us have different expiration dates/years.
Anyway. Expired. By one month.
You can imagine my shock, ensuing panic and anxiety when I realized this ON MONDAY MORNING.
Internet research, phone calls and further panic and anxiety propelled me into town at an ungodly hour where I procured forms and photos before 9:00 but was still in need of an appointment with The Passport Department. (Yes, my city does have private passport expediting services but I'd much rather spend $300 to $600 at JCrew - not that I'm going to.)
K was able to get me an appointment one state away (I might have had to travel further) for Tuesday morning at 9:30.
I went, with forms and photos, I stood in line (by appointment only), I was given very little chance to tell my tale of woe, I wept a little (but really didn't have the energy), I drove back to town, spent half an hour looking for a place to leave my Jeep (full lots and too tall with the cargo basket) and went to work - where I proceeded to be distracted and anxiety ridden for the rest of the day (while my dear boss was patient, understanding and only teased me a little bit).
Tracking numbers were provided but not helpful (I paid extra for overnight mail) and a phone call later (on Wednesday) allayed my fears (there was some discussion at the agency about my having to come back before my flight to secure a different document and then driving directly to the airport -which I was not looking forward to).
We all know this trip has been a little hexed from the beginning and I have certainly adopted that attitude over time.
But I am going to Italy. I am going to have a good time.
My passport is safely in my hand.
All is well.
*I had fully intended to have a clip from the movie here as this is how my life has been this week. Alas, none of them suit me. Get on that, won't you?
My passport had expired. I hadn't realized.
I have plenty of excuses: after my last trip to Italy I really wasn't thinking about leaving the country anytime soon, K secretly made the arrangements for this trip and we never considered that my passport might have expired, and the five of us have different expiration dates/years.
Anyway. Expired. By one month.
You can imagine my shock, ensuing panic and anxiety when I realized this ON MONDAY MORNING.
Internet research, phone calls and further panic and anxiety propelled me into town at an ungodly hour where I procured forms and photos before 9:00 but was still in need of an appointment with The Passport Department. (Yes, my city does have private passport expediting services but I'd much rather spend $300 to $600 at JCrew - not that I'm going to.)
K was able to get me an appointment one state away (I might have had to travel further) for Tuesday morning at 9:30.
I went, with forms and photos, I stood in line (by appointment only), I was given very little chance to tell my tale of woe, I wept a little (but really didn't have the energy), I drove back to town, spent half an hour looking for a place to leave my Jeep (full lots and too tall with the cargo basket) and went to work - where I proceeded to be distracted and anxiety ridden for the rest of the day (while my dear boss was patient, understanding and only teased me a little bit).
Tracking numbers were provided but not helpful (I paid extra for overnight mail) and a phone call later (on Wednesday) allayed my fears (there was some discussion at the agency about my having to come back before my flight to secure a different document and then driving directly to the airport -which I was not looking forward to).
We all know this trip has been a little hexed from the beginning and I have certainly adopted that attitude over time.
But I am going to Italy. I am going to have a good time.
My passport is safely in my hand.
All is well.
*I had fully intended to have a clip from the movie here as this is how my life has been this week. Alas, none of them suit me. Get on that, won't you?
Comments
The rest is a bit to long to tell in a comment box.
But please go ahead and laugh.
Paola
So Glad to hear that it all worked itself out in the end.
But, I can just imagine the moment you realized... I have had those moments.
wv is poopo. just had to share because, yes, sometimes I am that juvenile.
I hope you have a wonderful trip!
Mine expires in Nov. I have no plans to leave the country, but I think I'll renew it soon....just in case.
http://snurl.com/rxpo2 [poppisima_blogspot_com]
Now go enjoy ITALY!!
PS-Safe travels to you both.
PPS-Have a Panini for me...and some Gelato!
I'm excited for you. Drink an extra cup of Italian coffee for all of us back here. :)
Glad it worked out. Now, arrivederci, or however you spell it. Have fun!
jbhat
(hope to be off the prescription for anxiety meds by the time you return)
Go and have a wonderful time. We need some sunny Italian pics to make us happy.
x
You'd better be safely there by now or having a lovely G&T over the Atlantic.
Buona serra!
Buona vacanza!
J
xo
ErinH