Position: Still here at anchor in Cascaix
Wind: Calm
Weather: overcast, showers, humid
I got the visa application in for Brazil this morning which should be ready
to be picked up tomorrow. I had to be a bit pushy with the man at the door,
initially he wanted me to go to the back of the queue, then started dealing
with other people and ignoring me. Well I just waited a moment then pushed
right back in there and explained my case to him, after which he let me in.
Unpleasant, but not much else I could do I am afraid. Once upstairs to the
second floor away from the crowd everything was a lot calmer. Visa
application all very efficiently processed. The clerk wanted some proof of
income, says a credit card will do. I look dumbly at him, I should have
thought of this, "Er, I am afraid I don't have one on me." He accepts my
New South Wales drivers licence instead, very flexible of him I thought, for
the moment relieved. "That will be 35 euros," asks the clerk. I look in my
wallet, 32. Euros and 73 cents. Bother!
All of which leads me onto my three strikes for the day. I knew there would
be a fee for the visa but wasn't sure how much, so I decided to stop at an
auto-teller on the way in to the consulate and get some extra cash. First I
stopped at a machine by the train station in Cascais and managed to key in
the wrong PIN. "That's odd, what is my PIN?" I decide to get on the train,
it will come to me. Once in town I try again, I stare blankly at the keypad,
for the life of me I am sure I know the numbers but it just doesn't feel
right and sure enough, third go I lose the card. So now I am in a jam and
hence the dumb look afore to mentioned.
Back to the consulate, from there I had to go and find a money exchanger,
fortunately I had some US dollars on me, so I changed those into Euros and
went back to the consulate and paid for the visa. Well one problem pretty
much sorted out but now I possibly have a worse one to deal with. No card,
no money . . . and you can't get very far without any money. Well obviously
I shall have to get a new card issued. I wonder how long this is going to
take.
Back in Cascais I look around, why am I being held up in Cascais of all
places?
All is well (for now)
Bob Cat:
As long as I get fed and have a comfortable place to sleep I am happy.
Cascais is it? As good as anywhere for me. . . . Zzzzzzzz.
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