The UPS man just arrived at the door of my parents’ house in Albany, NY, where I’m staying until I depart on my trip, and I ran to meet him. He didn’t disappoint. He handed me — with a smile — an envelope from the Embassy of Mali, and I promptly tore it open.
(No, this isn’t a television commercial for UPS. This is my life.)
I’ve been approved by Mali for a visit! Another visa in my passport, another passport page full… And I’m wondering whether I should have added more pages to my passport before I left. Too late now.
This visa business is costly! Note to self: When planning to travel to a myriad of countries, budget plenty of cash — and patience — for visas. Oh, and dozens of passport photos.
Since my departure is just a week and a half away, it looks like I’ll be leaving with two visas in hand: Mali and Madagascar. I’ll have to obtain the rest en route. Here’s what I’ve scribbled in my notes:
Senegal — No visa required for U.S. citizens.
Mali — Got it! $131. Multiple entry.
Burkina Faso — Need it. $100.
Ghana — Need it. $50. And four (FOUR!) passport photos.
Cameroon — Need it. $50. Usually issue only one-month visas to tourists, but with my recommendation letter I should be able to swing a two-month pass.
South Africa — No visa required for U.S. citizens.
Madagascar — Got it! $80.
So I’ll have to get my B. Faso visa while in Mali… And my Ghana visa while in B. Faso… and my Cameroon visa while in Ghana…
June 15, 2008 at 8:04 am
It is rather unfortunate onehs to pay so much for the visa, but at least in your case you are assured to get the visa. The US embassy and the British high commision here in Ghana charge ten times that for a visa to those countries, and they are 99 out of 100 times refuse you the visa without any refund. You have been lucky abd better off.
June 15, 2008 at 11:23 am
Ah, you are right! I’m lucky to be an American applying for visas…
June 16, 2008 at 11:43 am
OMG I’m so nervous for you! I’d be freaking out, but you sound a lot more calm…what will happen if you don’t get the visas? You’ll just come back to Houston, right?? Susan and I would be sooo happy…
June 16, 2008 at 11:50 am
I’ll get them (knock on wood)… As Mikael said above, it may seem like a hassle, but I’m likely to be approved because I’m American.
June 17, 2008 at 1:14 am
please check out my email, I would love for you to meet Becca.
June 19, 2008 at 9:07 pm
Marc and I just looked at flights to come see you over Thanksgiving… $2312 per person to Antananarivo… needless to say, I don’t think we are coming…
June 20, 2008 at 3:58 pm
I’m not worth that to you, Annej?!
June 21, 2008 at 5:55 pm
I remember standing in line for three hours at the Indian embassy in Houston to get my Visa two weeks before we were going to leave. I was freaking out because I thought they would run out or something. I could only imagine what you’ll have to do there…You are way more put together and have way more faith than I can muster! You’ll have to tell me how you do that one day. Good luck!
-Ally