The Case of the Cursed Visas

Do good things come in threes?

It's ironic that I chose my destinations based on the folklore belief of “good things come in threes” and yet my visas seem to be cursed by the same superstition. I thought I was ahead of the game when I started my visa process in January. But one by one, they came back with issues and problems. Here’s the low down: 

First Strike, Vietnam: Got my visa issued through December 1^st; booked my flight from Vietnam for December 2^nd. Oops!

Second Strike, India: Didn't realize Indian visas are good six months from the date of issue, not from the date you arrive in India. This is confusing because the Indian visa application requires an arrival and departure date. One wouldn't think they would issue a visa that expires mid-trip, but that's the way it goes...along with another $80. I'm embarrassed to say my inner French made an appearance at the Travisa office when I got the news.

Third Strike, Kenya: Kenya visas are issued six months from date of issue and require you send a copy of your flight itinerary. Mine was issued for five months, 2 days short of my departure. Oh how I was tempted to magically turn the hand-written October 4^th into October 9^th. Tempted like a kid let loose in a candy shop. However, spending time in a Nairobi prison for tampering with visa documents didn't seem like a fun excursion.

But then again, neither did having to send back, reapply and repay for my three visas. The last thing I wanted to be bogged down with at this stage in my planning was paperwork. I wanted to be outside taking photos and planning my experiences! In fact, when I received my Kenya visa, I was beside myself. How could this happen? How could I be so unlucky with my visas? And then, when I stepped back and thought of all the different perspectives I could choose to approach the situation, I had to chuckle. Here are a few perspectives that came to mind: 

• Angry perspective: What the %$#^!*!? Rip that visa to shreds. Then burn it. And then stomp on the ashes. Arrrgh!
• Lazy perspective: Do nothing. What are they going to do, deport me as I'm leaving?
• New-age perspective: Sage that passport. And the paperwork. Envision that your visas are being issued by loving, kind people with good attention to detail. Breathe in deeply.  
• Emo perspective: Get really depressed over it. After all, it's all my fault. Drink a PBR in a dark bar. Go home and write a song about it. A really sad song.
• Victim/blame perspective: Why does this always happen to me? Why did they mess up my passport? Someone is to blame and will pay for this. I'll show them on Yelp!
• Positive perspective: At least I have time to correct them. This will make a good story some day and an even better one over drinks. 
• Go-with-the-flow perspective: Admit the visa thing isn't working right now, take a break and get to it when you're refreshed.

Once I realized I had so many choices in how to respond to the situation, I felt much calmer. Not that it wasn't frustrating. However when faced with a situation where there's only so much you can do, the one thing that makes the biggest difference is the attitude you choose. 

I'm sure there will be times on the road when things don't go my way, flights get cancelled, people are rude, weather is awful. I'm sure it will be frustrating too, among other things. I just hope I can remember that I have many choices in the attitude I choose and hopefully pick a good one.