Over the last 2 months we've been trying to get Kyaw Kyaw a visa for France/The netherlands. First of all we tried the french embassy in Laos since that was where we were when plans got more concrete. Here they told us that since he was Burmese he could only apply for a visa in Burma. Bummer. So when we were back in Chiang Mai (Sandra needed to finish some dental work), we called and emailed the dutch embassy (there is no embassy for the Netherlands in Burma). No problem. Both on the phone and per email it was said. Even though Sandra specifically told them that we were travelling around Thailand at that time. Per email we got the website with all the information on what was needed. And to our surprise it said right at the top: Only Thai or people residing in Thailand could apply. *sigh*. But it was said in the email that we could also apply at the german embassy in Yangon (for a dutch visa). Well if we had to go back to Burma anyway it was easier to have everything arranged via Sandra's dad (who lives in France). He sent everything needed to the French embassy in Yangon. Kyaw Kyaw and Sandra filled in everything that was requiered at the Burmese side. And i think we'd covered everything and all. And we were pretty convinced that a visa would be granted. After all, it is only for a 3 week visit. And everything was arranged.
So to our utter astonishment and dissapointment we got a 'NO' from the embassy. They couldn't tell us why but we're allowed a meetign with the consul when we come back from Bagan (we're taking the bus tomorrow). Now the only thig we can hope for is that we can convince the consul to change his mind. But i suspect chances are slim...
It would have been so much fun to show Kyaw Kyaw around. After all, as a well travelled skunk i have covered much of the Netherlands and France. But there are even parts i haven't been to yet. And of course meeting family and friends would be so nice. We still go Sandra & me but it would have been so much nicer if we could have gone the 3 of us. For one thing, Sandra hates flying and i don't want to arrive all squeezed to bits because fo some turbulence along the way. I think that that is Kyaw Kyaw's job.
1 comment:
Oh no! That is terrible news! I know how much you all have been looking forward to this trip!
Well, I hope that by a miracle of some sort you get a truly open-minded diplomat for your meeting, one who can see the truth of your situation. Because it would be very "Grinch-y" of them to basically squash your holiday trip before it has even begun. :(
PS - thanks for the awesome postcards! I love the one of Thailand, and Dima said he got one from Laos. And tonight I was over at the Asahinas and you've got Masato convinced that Phi Phi Island is next on his list of places to visit after they received your card from there. :)
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