Stress-Filled Day
15 July 2008 | San Salvador, El Salvador
by Mrs. Stress
We caught a ride into San Salvador (50 miles away) with Jan to go to Immigration to extend or visas.
Yesterday Scott went to the hotel office to get the letter we need explaining why we need an extension but it hadn't been written when he went back later that afternoon and the girl at the desk, who was busy playing some kind of computer game, said, "Maybe Thursday." Scott replied, "No, we need it tomorrow." You can't take no for an answer sometimes. Of course this morning it still wasn't ready so we waited while she typed it up (ARG!).
We know we filled out one of the forms incorrectly but are hoping they are happy with all the spaces 'filled out' any way. Otherwise we needed a local to vouch for us and have it notarized. A nice young girl offered her translation abilities on our side of the window - she lives in Dallas, TX but was born in El Salvador - speaks perfect English. At some point she disappeared in all the stress and I never got a chance to thank her properly. Turns out the Immigration lady knew English pretty well though she didn't admit to it right away... After photos, photocopies, filing out forms, finger prints, waiting, more waiting, trying to figure out if we should or where to met back up with Jan and $60+ later we decided to go back with Jan and take the bus back in tomorrow to get our passports (that will hopefully be stamped with more time). The Immigration lady did seem surprised we only wanted 30 more days AND seemed sympathetic when she found out about our lightening strike saga. We are keeping our fingers crossed and have books ready to read on the long bus rides. We have 1 hour to get our passports and make it back to the last bus so we may have to stay over night.
We left at 10 a.m. and got back at 6 p.m. today but we did get a rushed grocery shop in too.
Wish Us Luck.