So, we decided to take a trip back to US soil to find some answers about passport partedness. One 10 minute bus ride and a few blocks of walking later, we found ourselves separated by only a tall, grey, iron security fence and a concrete guard station from Old Glory (bless it) waving in the gentle breeze.
We talked to the security guard standing behind thick glass via an intercom, "Hi, um, we're American... citizens. We have a question about our passports." The security guard smiled and responded in a friendly kiwi accent, "Sorry, all passport services are administered by the consulate in Auckland." Hmm... It looked like we might not be taking a trip to American soil after all. "Okay, well, we really just have a question. We don't really need passports or anything, we just want to know if it's okay for us to send our passports to London for NZ visa processing..." He smiled again and explained that this US embassy was only for diplomatic relations and that there really weren't any citizen services at this location. "Hey, but if you want to pop inside for a second I can give you the contact information for the consulate in Auckland."
We went around the side door and he buzzed us in. Inside was a metal detector and a sign saying that any mobile phones, cameras, or other electronics were not allowed through. Otherwise, it was just a plain, grey, bare concrete building. He gave us a slip of paper with the U.S. Consulate General's telephone, fax, e-mail, web site (http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~amcongen No, really.), and street address. As he turned away I asked, "Are we, um, technically, you know, on U.S. soil?" He gave a big grin and said once again in his best kiwi accent, "Yes. You're safe in here." I laughed. I said that I hadn't felt particularly threatened so far in NZ. He laughed louder.
We left, walked past the protesters camping in front of the embassy, our mission accomplished... mostly.
It's now Monday morning, and we gave the consulate in Auckland a call. "Well, if you need to take an emergency trip back to the States, you won't be able to do so without your passports. Other than that, there isn't really a problem. Just be sure to make copies of your passports."
For those of you feeling cheated for having just read this dull account of our passport details, I have a special treat for you. Just as I was talking to the consulate, what I'm pretty sure was a pirate ship sailed past, just barely visible from our flat. I hastily took a picture and cropped it for your enjoyment. (Sorry that it's pixelated. It was really far away.) Roni would like to point out that, while pirates can be salty, they may, in fact, be less salty than Marmite. You be the judge.
4 comments:
Yummmmmmmmm
One of Elise's favorite engines on the island of Sodor is named Salty.
Maybe the pirates were there in search of Marmite. You should keep it hidden. Maybe bury it in the garden for safekeeping...
And salt the earth??? Not bloody likely.
I was thinking in terms of something like an airtight drum under a concrete pad. You know, just like the proper way to plant zucchini!
Nothing is saltier than Marmite . . . Nevertheless, I confess to missing the stuff. On my hikes around London, I would have a loaf of bread, a jar of marmite, and plastic cutlery in my backpack, and when I hungered, I would settle in a convenient park (Hyde Park, Regent's Park, whatever) and consume.
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