The last few weeks have been a whirlwind as we've prepared for Christmas. Besides making cookies, going to school Christmas parties, wrapping gifts, and decorating the tree, we've also been getting our visas and tickets to India!
This year, we are headed to Chennai, which is on the south east side of India. Colin's mom started teaching there this year at the American International School of Chennai (having a great time, by the way) and we are joining her there, along with Colin's two brothers and his one brother's long time girlfriend, for one week. We'll be there from the 23rd-30th, and have plans for a "as traditional as we can get" Christmas, along with sightseeing and relaxation! I know Nancy has been excited and very busy getting ready for arrival and all the details it entails hosting six guests.
So now the travel lesson....
As Americans, most of us take for granted how easy traveling is for us (usually). Most countries Americans tend to visit let us right in at the airport. Get your special stamp in your passport, maybe for a small fee, but there's nothing else to it. But in a lot of other countries, India being one of them, you just can't do that. You just don't get to saunter off the plane with no visa and get in. They will send you back home on the next plane. You have to apply for your visa ahead of time, at your local embassy (or in the US, mail it), and wait for it to be approved. Here, it costs almost $70 per person to get the visa for India. Over $200 to get out of the airport!
But as I've discovered through my new job in the athletics office, and sending students to different countries for sporting competitions, that's how it is for many countries. And, for many nationalities, you most always have to do that. In this region, if you are Pakistani, India, Bangladeshi, etc... you will always have to get a visa ahead of time and you may have to have the other country do it for you. Even in Oman, there is a select "list" of countries that can get their visa upon arrival at the airport, the rest, you have to apply ahead of time. Going to different countries cost different amounts. As an American, you will pay way more to go to Bangladesh than someone from Jordan, but it's free if you are going to the United Arab Emirates as an American, where as a Canadian pays. All depends on country-to-country relation.
So, the next time you fly someone internationally and get to go right through, be thankful! And if you are adventurous enough to visit somewhere else, be ready to prepare ahead of time! :-)
Okay, back to Christmas. So yes, we have been preparing and are excited to head to India in 3 days. Our bags are part-way packed, we are doing our best to distract Aberly from the excitement of going on the plane to GeeGee's house, and we are trying to consume most of the foods in our refrigerator that will go otherwise go bad in a week.
We hope your travel and Christmas plans are going well too, and we wish you all the best! Here are a few fun new pictures of our December activities:
This year, we are headed to Chennai, which is on the south east side of India. Colin's mom started teaching there this year at the American International School of Chennai (having a great time, by the way) and we are joining her there, along with Colin's two brothers and his one brother's long time girlfriend, for one week. We'll be there from the 23rd-30th, and have plans for a "as traditional as we can get" Christmas, along with sightseeing and relaxation! I know Nancy has been excited and very busy getting ready for arrival and all the details it entails hosting six guests.
So now the travel lesson....
As Americans, most of us take for granted how easy traveling is for us (usually). Most countries Americans tend to visit let us right in at the airport. Get your special stamp in your passport, maybe for a small fee, but there's nothing else to it. But in a lot of other countries, India being one of them, you just can't do that. You just don't get to saunter off the plane with no visa and get in. They will send you back home on the next plane. You have to apply for your visa ahead of time, at your local embassy (or in the US, mail it), and wait for it to be approved. Here, it costs almost $70 per person to get the visa for India. Over $200 to get out of the airport!
But as I've discovered through my new job in the athletics office, and sending students to different countries for sporting competitions, that's how it is for many countries. And, for many nationalities, you most always have to do that. In this region, if you are Pakistani, India, Bangladeshi, etc... you will always have to get a visa ahead of time and you may have to have the other country do it for you. Even in Oman, there is a select "list" of countries that can get their visa upon arrival at the airport, the rest, you have to apply ahead of time. Going to different countries cost different amounts. As an American, you will pay way more to go to Bangladesh than someone from Jordan, but it's free if you are going to the United Arab Emirates as an American, where as a Canadian pays. All depends on country-to-country relation.
So, the next time you fly someone internationally and get to go right through, be thankful! And if you are adventurous enough to visit somewhere else, be ready to prepare ahead of time! :-)
Okay, back to Christmas. So yes, we have been preparing and are excited to head to India in 3 days. Our bags are part-way packed, we are doing our best to distract Aberly from the excitement of going on the plane to GeeGee's house, and we are trying to consume most of the foods in our refrigerator that will go otherwise go bad in a week.
We hope your travel and Christmas plans are going well too, and we wish you all the best! Here are a few fun new pictures of our December activities:
Goofing around with our stockings and giving the biggest smile possible!
Making a reindeer hat at our school's family Christmas party.
Smiles from mommy and Aberly during the party dinner.
Amber, Aberly, and Isla at the party.
He's here! Aberly ran up and gave him a big hug.
Aberly was so excited to have her name called for her gift. She would practically stand up each time anyone's name was called. Finally it was her turn!
Cute Christmas elf!
Opening the birthday/Christmas box from Nana and Papa. Ooo, full of treats!
Nana and Papa sent lots of new Playmobil sets for Aberly's dollhouse.
And a special Christmas book that Nana and Papa recorded their voices and read to Aberly. Aberly says "thank you" to them via Skype.
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