September 2-5, 2019
September 9, 2019 update : we got the visas!!!
Our stay in Cestas, near Bordeaux, was going great: visiting friends, enjoying the pool, walking in the forest.
Monday walking our friends for the French back to school today. Then, problems start showing up...
Problem 1: our e-visa requests for China were cancelled (so are all requests until October 17). However, we are supposed to start our trip on September 17 in China for 30 days.
Resolution 1: submit individual visa requests, through Action Visas who will pre-check our documents and set the appointment
Problem 2: drop-off is in Paris and we did not take our passports with us to Bordeaux
Resolution 2: we will drive to Paris and our passports are shipped to us for the next day
We manage to go downtown Bordeaux and enjoy cannelés (specialty) for the afternoon snack...
Problem 3: the agency did not receive the documents as they did not upload properly
Resolution 3: we email the documents
At least one good news today: we have an appointment at 9 on Thursday to drop off the visa requests! We will head to Paris on Thursday afternoon after Salah's work interviews. But it's far from being over...
Tuesday
Problem 1: passport delivery is delayed, they will be delivered tomorrow at the earliest
Resolution 1: we dash off to the Chronopost agency, they will be ready for pickup this afternoon
Problem 2: drop-off appointment would be on Friday morning but to be confirmed after document pre-check (could be later too)
Salah goes to his work interviews, how does he manage to keep his cool? no lo sé...
I compensate by buying a cherry cake (gâteau basque) and yapping away with an old friend of mine to escape reality. Are we headed to Paris (if appointment is on Thursday) or to Toulouse (if not)? Do we still want to go to China if things get hairy?
Unfolding: at 4pm, our appointments is confirmed for Thursday at 10 so Paris here we come! We will need to wait for my father-in-law's birthday celebration (today)... we also get our passports. Phew!
We pick up Salah and head to Rambouillet, near Paris, where we will arrive at 11:30pm. The past 2 days were an emotional roller coaster!
Wednesday
Appointment prep: printing documents, passport pictures, etc....
Thursday
We are in for a ride with all the workers at 8:20 am on the train.
Our appointment is at 10am near the Champs Élysées and we get out at 11am, after an uneventful appointment... Pickup is Monday and I had already planned a trip to Paris with Naema so that's no problem.
This experience tested out our organization, patience and resilience. Fortunately, our girls are used to road trips and don't mind improvisation. Seeing their faces light up when the Eiffel Tower appeared in front of them was priceless!
Coralie
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