Golden Tickets

Finally, yesterday after learning about the magic of auto-dialer apps on my phone, I was able to get in touch with someone at the consulate to ask about our passports. I hated being that person that's like 'hey, where's my stuff'?

The not so short story goes like this:

• May 31: Received approval email saying 'send in passports, it'll take 2-3 days to get the visa affixed, plus shipping'. Neato.

• June 1: Sent out passports via UPS (since it was close to our apartment) for overnight delivery before 3pm

• June 2: UPS did not deliver before 3pm, but tried at like 7pm, when they were closed. Called and spoke to a very nice guy who noted the tracking number that delivery needed to happen before 4pm.

• June 3: Passports delivered.

• June 9: Sent email checking to see when they'd be sent, but knew there were a ton of holidays in June keeping work from moving as quickly. Got an auto-response that they'd respond within 48 hours.

• No response via email

• June 14: Emailed a 'sorry to bother, but did you even get them?'. Same auto-response received.

• No response via email

• June 16: Forwarded email chain to the consulting company that received paperwork for consulate since I'd read on a Facebook group someone did that and it helped get things moving. Zero response.

• June 22: Called and spoke to a very nice gentleman who knew exactly who I was, confirmed they had our passports and had just received our other paperwork we needed. He put me on hold for a few minutes while he checked. Said they'd send them out by end of week. I thanked him profusely.

• June 28: Called again, this time getting someone who said they don't answer questions over the phone, only by email. My words were something to the effect of "that's interesting because I've been emailing for weeks now with no response, and a very nice guy last week helped me out". Also followed up with an email to pop it up in their queue, stating I'd just spoken to someone and appreciate their help in a status on what's going on. Got a response back 'there was a delay in your application and it will be sent out by end of week'. Tried not to worry about the word 'application' as opposed to 'visas'.

• July 1:

  • Learned about an autodialer application, and used it to contact the consulate. Took about 8 calls over 20 minutes to reach them. Got what seemed to be the nice, helpful guy and he confirmed the visas were sent out June 22 and gave me tracking numbers. They were the same tracking numbers.

  • Input the tracking numbers directly into the FedEx field to track on the website, as opposed to refreshing the page I'd saved with same tracking numbers. System now informs me there are two shipments with that number and to please click on the tracking number below, which lead me to a page stating the saga of our passports.

  • Shayne was in the background throwing his hands in the air with a "WTF!?" look as I got on the phone, I tried to keep that vibe out of my voice as I spoke to a really kind representative at FedEx that helped me.

  • Gave FedEx the tracking numbers, after they found the 'actual' packages and not the 'duplicates' confirmed the passports were at a location to be picked up in Seattle. We confirmed we'd be on our way immediately.

  • Learned that the secure storage area that all of our packages for the last six months, including signature required ones just like this, wasn't adequate for the FedEx delivery person. The packages were just 'delivery denied due to no adult signature' and thrown back on the truck. For eight straight days.

We hopped in a Lyft and got to the FedEx facility, trying to remain calm. A really kind lady helped us, saying the packages didn't exist, then looked again and found the 'real' ones, not the duplicates. She went into the back and came out with two envelopes that I swear, to my eyes, glittered like a Golden Ticket. She checked our IDs as we explained our passports were in there, in an attempt to help her understand our flighty behavior. We hurriedly opened them next to the trash can across the room, flipped to the visa pages and there they were in all their glory.

Finally, in that little FedEx office north of Georgetown, in Seattle where we met and started down the path so many years ago to expand our experiences and lives past the borders of our country, we got our tickets to do it.

We went outside and as if it were graduation, took pictures with them.

With 10 days left, we really didn't have a moment to spare to get them. We were considering all that we'd have to do if we didn't get them, from secondary emergency passports, extending flights, extending cat flights and vet appointments. My brain was in overdrive mapping out a new calendar of existence while waiting.

And now, just like that we are still on track.