But I love the summer, and all the travel that comes with it...Maybe its not working(though that has drained the family coffers mightily...). Or just the freedom of being in other places. I love being elsewhere. Hotels and camp grounds, restaurants...all those things so many people can't stand. I like the adventure of it, the fun with friends I don't see often enough, the time with family away from the day to day grind of regular life. I'm more relaxed, even when I'm stressing about new situations and the shyness factor. And I'm more confidant at the same time, somehow. I'm able to be bold and daring and it's less of a risk because its often with people I don't know and will never see again. Its hard to explain. But I get a rush from it, from having to navigate, literally and figuratively, new places and events, and being successful at it.
So we had a very full weekend, me in particular. As is very oftenthe case I procrastinated on the packing and had 3 hours of sleep before we headed out to the ferry, to catch the 7:00 am. Morning is not a prime time for me, but I made it! We caught the ferry and drove right into Vancouver, where Rob had some book stuff to do, at Chapters and with his editor at the Vancouver Sun. He got to be on the receiving end of an interview this time. We went to the German Consulate to get Xander his German passport (and therefore, dual citizenship!) The bureaucracy there needs to be seen to be believed. They close at noon, and are only open Monday through Friday. So the window of opportunity is small and there are many hoops to jump through. My brother and I went through the same process last year, so I'm not new to it...The first person was pretty okay, and not at all snooty that I didn't speak German. I needed to make a declaration because Xander has Rob's last name, and there was some intense grilling from the lady at that window, since we didn't speak the language. She left us for a lengthy while to type up some form, and Rob had to leave (to return at 11:45, just before they closed.) She never came back and I realized that we wouldn't have time to get the photos, which have specific requirements for German passports, different from Canada (which at least I knew), before the office closed. So I tried to find her, and finally spoke to the receptionist, who indicated, I believe, that it was fine. We arrived back and were roundly and firmly and rudely lectured about opening a file and leaving, and every time I tried to explain about not having the opportunity to make it during their short hours, or Rob's need to leave, or her disappearance, I was scolded again, so I did my best Canadian impression and apologized for everything. I got the paper we needed to sign, all in German with no offer to translate, and figured out everything, including a correction, which, when I pointed it out, caused all sorts of muttering again (this is typical of experiences there...). then she disappeared and Rob arrived, and she kept us waiting until right before noon. I was really positive that she was going to delay until they closed, and all they needed was our signatures. But she returned at the last minute and its all done, from our end. Iit needs to get sent to Berlin to be processed and we have to go back to pick it up eventually, but its done, its good for 10 years and Xander will always be able to renew it without all the hassle. And should we ever have other kids, the paperwork won't need to be done again. Hurray!
So to you lovely Americans who keep putting off getting your passport because of the hassle and so on, which will eventually (but not yet!) hinder your crossing the border (and visiting us!) - if we can do it, so can you! Those who've done all the hoop-jumping, kindly disregard this last bit!
I had a very eventful and full weekend, but needs must head to bed, I guess, so will try to carve out some other time to get to it. The boy (small sized) claims the computer for large chunks of the time we're home, and the other boy (full sized) claims it in the evenings, so after bedtime is my time.
Let's just give quick highlights to be fleshed out later:
- visit and lovely dinner at great-gram's, much lauding of the new author
- loooong drive to Bellingham to meet with assorted camp buddies and dance to the rocking sounds of Spaceband (go Aeden!!!) at Fairhaven Pub. They, who live near-by, bailed early, and I, with another 1 1/2 hour drive awaiting me, dance to the end. And I got a cool t-shirt as well!
- Slept in while the boy hung with 2 young cousins, hung out with them, back to gram's for fresh out of the oven buns and another nice visit, photos in trees and corn fields
- Another drive, with youngster in tow, to Glacier for a back-to-school gathering of campers, complete with walk to (or in for Xander and Gwen) the river, wonderful barbecue and amazing food, singing around a campfire and then Mallard's for desert, plus another looong drive back to gramma's
- Mellow morning then a rush to the ferries upon learning of 2 sailing waits and reservations completely booked. Arrived at 2:10 and made it onto the 5:00 boat. Cleaned out the van and made a nice nest in the back to hang out in with Xander
- Home, fell asleep with Xander (go figure!), slept in a bit with him and then spent a good portion of today driving around and delivering invites to Rob's launch (plus a lovely lunch out at OSF, visiting, with almost everyone
Okay, I'm wanted elsewhere, so am off to bed. I'll flesh in the details tomorrow!
No comments:
Post a Comment