un geste de vous // a gesture of yours

Three things in three days that are of import in my life:

1. I went to the French Embassy and applied for my visa yesterday.
2. S. left today for Ecuador.
3. C. leaves tomorrow for Brazil.

Just recently, as you may have noticed, I discovered a fondness for lists. I think it helps me feel as though I am more in control than I really am. Anyhow, without further ado...

~1~

I left home on Tuesday morning at 7:30 for a 9:00 appointment at the French Embassy, a mere 20 miles (and supposedly 30 minutes) away. Thanks to the modern wonder that is traffic, I arrived at my destination at 8:45. Of course, there is no visitor parking inside the French Embassy--that would be too convenient. Fortunately, my father chauffeur was driving and so simply dropped me off on my merry way.

It did not get any easier once I made it inside the embassy. After reading on their website that a driver's license was an acceptable proof of residence, I crazily assumed that it was...y'know...an acceptable proof of residence. Alas, it was not so. The French lady at the Visa Office told me and about four other people there that "ve no longher accept zee driverr's licenses," but that since the website had been wrong, she would "check vith zee bosss to see vat he vould say." (Side note to the French Embassy: I am a student. How the hell would I have a utility bill?)

...I'm only making fun of her accent because I'm bitter at the snooty way she looked at me and the trouble she gave me.

In the end, zee boss decided that it was acceptable (since otherwise they would've lost the revenue from like...10 bewildered people). So they took my paperwork. And half of my life savings.

I'd read up on things in my preparation to go abroad, but it didn't really sink in how expensive it'd be to get a visa. To even file paperwork for a visa, I needed to have a confirmation letter from CampusFrance ($60). Then, I paid for the visa application itself ($70). Afterwards, I had to provide a prepaid Express Mail envelope for them to mail my passport back to me, with or without the visa ($17.50).

In total, I paid $147.50 for a visa application that could potentially be rejected. I mean, I don't see any reason why they'd reject my visa application, but still...

~2~

S. is a good friend of mine that I've only gotten to really know just this past year. The thing that I admire the most about her is her strength and confidence. Nothing gets this girl down, and it just amazes me to see how she just picks herself up and just keep going.

S. has traveled extensively, and is pretty good with Spanish, so she certainly seems much more prepared for travel abroad than I am. She was not, however, as lucky as I was to be assigned a homestay family months in advance. Her program waits until she gets there to pick a family. That just sounds terrifying.

Her journey seems to be off to a good start, though. I got a text from her while she was at the airport. It was about the numerous cute international boys that were there. I figure she can't be too stressed out.

Good luck and enjoy Ecuador, my dear! I am so excited for you!

~3~

C. is another good friend, someone I've known for a bit longer than S. She has this certain joie de vivre that never fails to bring a smile to my face. Her happy dances are a sight to be hold. C. is also one of the most caring and empathetic people that I've ever had the fortune to meet.

C. is leaving for Brazil tomorrow. I've made her promise that she will come back with a Brazilian male model on each arm. Or at least buy a dildo. (I want all my friends to be sexually liberated so that I can live vicariously through them.) I know you want to improve your Portuguese, and your host-family will surely help you, but just remember that the language of looooove is universal. ;)

Enjoy yourself! Literally/physically. Teehee. Hee.