Leaving? Nope!

I started my day by packing up all my stuff, cleaning up the apartment, and hulling my pack to the school.  Mary had told me the previous day that my visa for Sri Lanka was ready and all I needed to do was pick up a document at the Sri Lankan embassy in Bangkok.   I left my things at the school and began the trek to the embassy… not a quick adventure.   I  arrived at 2pm, having left the school at 11am… only to stop for lunch a subway station.  I ordered some rice noodle chicken soup…. Or so I thought.  I got the soup and there was what I think to be chicken, and some mystery organ meat floating the bowl.  I ate the chicken but decided to leave the mystery meat for today.  I can only be so adventuresome.

I finally arrive at the Sri Lankan embassy, thinking I was almost finishing with my day’s events… however, I was soon to find out, it was only beginning.  The receptionist at the visa processing desk told me that I had to have brought passport pictures, and some other documents, which I did not bring and fill out this long form requesting a visa.  I couldn’t believe it!  I thought this was already done.  Mary had told me I only needed a to show a printed copy of the visa she sent me and that I would be picking up the original document.  I told him I don’t have a spare set of passport photos with me, so he directed me to a place to get photos (in a coffee shop… again, strange.  This place did whole photo shoot for portraits in the back, but had a full coffee shop in the front. Nothing in Asia surprises me anymore).  This place only did one hour developing.  Agh.  I paid the fee and went back to the embassy. 

Upon returning, I started talking to the receptionist who told me that they don’t issue visa’s in the afternoons. What?  What kind of country is this?  I was so frustrated, because I just spent money on pictures, not to mention my flight was leaving tonight at 10pm.   I started to get pissed off at this point.  I told the receptionist my story, and that I have been given the run around for months regarding this visa, and enough was enough.  Why do they keep changing the rules?  

I was so disappointed because I was under the impression that if this working visa didn’t pan out, I would simply enter the country under a visitor’s visa that I would get upon entry.   However, as of January 2012 the rules for a visitors visa had changed.  They no longer issue visas upon entering into the country, I had to have applied online prior to entering.   Agh.  Bureaucracies.

  

The receptionist said to wait and see if the Sri Lankan diplomat can issue me something himself.  He would be returning at 4pm.  So I waited.  The diplomat finally showed up and nothing!  He said he couldn’t do this, and I should just fly tonight and see what happens.   

Now I was getting frustrated.  It was 4:30 and the school closes at 5pm.  My bags would be held captive if I didn’t get back in time.  I asked the receptionist if I could make a call with his phone, he said no.  On my search for a pay phone, I went to check on the photo developing… nothing.  Off I went to find a phone.  The one I found kept taking my money but wouldn’t allow me to dial.  I was about to scream at this point. 

I found a white guy and asked him where I could find a phone, but he said he didn’t know.  I went back to the embassy, and with some detective skills I found a pay phones in the lobby (hidden in the back).  I called Cathy, she said not to worry, just get back so we determine our next step.  I went to the coffee shop, got my photos and hailed a cab (not straight forward because 3 cabs refused me, the fourth didn’t speak any English but would take me).  The cab driver who agreed to take me was a little gross.  He kept hoarking into a klenex and had a weird twitch with his head and neck.  I just thought to myself, oh well just get me back to my bags.  I’ve had enough of this city!

I found Cathy at the school waiting for me. Cathy was patient and helped me to work through what needed to be done.  We re-scheduled my flight because there was the distinct possibility I would be denied entry and told to fly back to Bangkok.  Cathy graciously offered her place to me for the next few days.  We went back to her apartment had pizza and Cesar salad and watched a movie.  Pizza is always a good remedy to a chaotic day.

I was just so disappointed that I wasn’t going to Sri lanka (yet again).  This was the third time I would be rescheduling my flight.  I will be so thankful if/when I finally get there. 

Somehow this was not what I had imagined for a birthday celebration…. But what are you gonna do?  Enjoy one more weekend in Bangkok  I suppose?   J