The Prologue part 2 or A Visa to far

Surprisingly, I do not require a Visa for the UK - sometime it feels like I do. Last time I headed to the UK, they looked at my passport and seem to have doubts if I was who I was. Maybe I cannot blame them, I would question my Passport photo. I could be mistaken for a convict - but I do need one for India. For some apparent reason, I thought you did not need an advance Visa for India. However, whilst talking to Monica she asked me if I got my Indian (Visa). After I looked blankly at her, I meekly replied that I thought I do not need one. I was SO wrong. We have to apply a Visa prior to arriving in India. The Indian Embassy in Paris (and London) subcontracts the admin to an UK company. On their website, they say that it take 3 days. So I thought I had plenty of time. This was mid August. Unfortunately I did not read the whole website and that for non French citizens it takes a minimum of 10 working days.- once at school, they gave us an exercise to fill in a application form, they kept telling us that we should always read fully the instructions. I like most people just started to fill in the application form. Afterwards they told us that the last line of the instruction it said not to fill in the application form and just wait to the end of the exercise. A lesson not learnt it seems - So on reading this. I bounced out of my chair and I legged it to the Visa centre. After queueing for 2hrs, I handed in my application and was told again that it will take an minimum of 10 working days as I was not French.

My visa was ready in 4 days! I bloody panicked for nothing.

For practical reason, I decided to get my Nepalese Visa in advance (you can get the Visa at immigration on arrival in Nepal). I was told it takes 4-5 days. I made sure to get to the Embassy early to avoid any queue. I did, there was no queue. The place was empty. There was nobody. I got the Passport back within 4-5 days. With the low number of Visa demands, I believe that my application was processed on the same day.

So, now I am ready for the first leg of my trip!

Next Time : Salut Paris or So long and thanks for all the Pain aux Raisins