Two trips to Chicago in 4 days time - one for business and the other for play - makes for one exhausted girl. I'm sure you've noticed that I haven't blogged much since Spring Break, but with things beginning to happen for my move to Peru I felt it's time for an update. School's been crazy, and honestly, blogging is often something I do in my leisurely time - something that I've desperately been lacking in the midst of ISTEP testing, end of the year assessments, and the end of another academic year in general.
This year's ending is different though as not only do I have to "pack" up my classroom for cleaning, but I must pack up my classroom and move out so that someone else may move in. It's a weird feeling knowing that someone else will be teaching in what has been my classroom the last 3 years, saying good-bye to many wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much about teaching and life, and passing on students to fourth grade knowing that next year I won't see them in the hallway, and I won't be around to watch the grow as they progress through 6th grade. It's a bittersweet feeling, and I feel like my emotions are all over the place. I'm sad to say good-bye, but I'm overjoyed to take on this next step, my life's dream, in the upcoming months.
Anyways, onto the main reason for this post...The Peruvian Consulate in Chicago - what an adventure! Mom and I took the day off work on Thursday to head up to Chicago and begin the visa application process (not knowing what all it would entail, I wanted to be sure to get a jump start so that there is plenty of time should things go awry). I had called the consulate numerous times and left multiple voicemails asking for business hours, information on what paperwork was needed for my visa, and the process in which the visa would be returned (mail or pick-up). Every call went unanswered, and every voicemail was left unreturned. I tried emailing, too, but again no responses were given.
On Thursday, Mom and I decided to take our chances, take a day off work, and head up to Chicago to see what this whole visa process was about. I had done my research online as best I could with no help from the Peruvian Consulate, and I took every government ID document I've every been issued with me just in case. We arrived at the consulate and the place was chaos. There were about 20 people in the room, some seated, some standing, most looking very confused. After standing near the window and being ignored while other person's names were being called out, I asked a man if there was a place to sign in. Apparently the man behind the counter was hoarding it behind the glass, so I asked for the notepad, and I signed my name. I was called up to the window a short time later.
At the window I was greeted by a woman who spoke little English and a man who spoke only Spanish. I decided to speak Spanish since English didn't go so well, and every Peruvian in the place stopped what they were doing to stare and listen in. I handed the man my visa application along with my passport, a letter from the school, my flight schedule, and 2 passport ID photos. They asked for my $30 payment, so I handed the man $40 (in the form of two $20 bills); however, he wanted exact change. {Peruvians don't like giving change if unnecessary, and I have no idea why.} He asked me to sign my name and place my fingerprint on the application, and then he told me to return on Wednesday to pick up my completed visa (which would be placed in my passport). WHAT?!
I explained that I live 3 hours away and that I work, so returning in 6 days was nearly impossible. I asked if there was any way the visa could be processed that day or returned to me via post. There was no way the visa could be processed that day, but a postal return was possible IF I could walk to the post office a mile away, get a cardboard self-addressed, stamped envelope, and return it to the Consulate. {Now why wasn't this piece of information online? Had they returned my phone calls or emails, this was one of the questions I had asked.} This being our only option, we thought it best to take the 2 mile total hike and return.
However, before leaving I asked for a recipe. No, I'm not kidding, I asked for a recipe. Ha! A few people chuckled behind me, and when the man behind the counter looked at me very confused I knew I hadn't used the correct term. I panicked and turned around looking for someone to help me out. At least 3 people shouted the correct word for receipt to me, and I then tried my question again. Ud. puede darme un recibo? {Will you please give me a receipt?} "No," he said, "not today. It will be sent with your passport." I told the man I would return shortly with the proper envelope and postage, and Mom and I left for a jaunt down Michigan Avenue. We returned with the envelope, the man took it, and I left.
Now my passport sits in the Chicago Peruvian Consulate with $30 and a proper envelope waiting to be returned to me. I have no documentation to prove I paid the fee. As a matter of fact, I have no evidence that I left any paperwork at the consulate at all. I was refused any sort of document saying they had my passport or that I paid. I'm a bit concerned that I won't receive my passport back or that it will come without a visa put in it, and I will have no way of proving anything.
I'm clinging to the fact that the Lord has miraculously worked out every other detail of this career move to this point, and I seriously doubt He's going to leave me hanging now. Sending up many prayers that my passport arrives in my mailbox within the next few weeks. If you think of it, please send up a few prayers for me, too!
*As I start to prepare more heavily for this transition, I would like to invite you to subscribe to my {hopefully} monthly updates. I do plan to blog and give updates using this blog and on Facebook; however, more personal prayer requests and updates will be emailed out once a month {at least that's my plan}. If you would like to join this email list, please comment with your email address. I would love to add you to my list of prayer warriors!
*I will also be making prayer cards to send out. If you would like to receive one of these, please comment with your address. Once these are made and ordered, I will be sure to send one out to you.
**All comments are sent to my inbox and not published until I approve them. Any comments with email or address information will not be published to this blog.**
Thank you for all of your support as I follow the journey the Lord has placed before me!
~One last side note, for those of you who are wondering, I am continuing to pray for the nations. I am currently praying for France and working my way through the countries beginning with F & G. Perhaps I will update you on my Prayer for the Nations challenge in an upcoming entry. Now that school is finishing {this week}, I should have quite a bit of free time.~
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