Day 117 - Second Visa Attempt

(Ursula) Getting into the Venezuelan Consulate was quite an undertaking.

We were not the only ones trying to grab and hold (which was even more challenging) a spot by the iron gates to the Consulate at 8 AM. And when it finally opened (more than an hour late), the whole mob raced to the front door of the building like animals.

We were wedged in the crowd and could only assert ourselves by creating as much elbow room as possible. Some people were waving at the officials with a bunch of papers, screaming words we didn't understand. Everyone wanted to be served first.

Wally joined us a little later. He was too polite and slow and had to fight through the crowd with our Passports and extra photographs. We needed to stay together. We waited and waited patiently for hours.

At noon, an official announced that the Consulate would close for lunch and everyone should return in the afternoon. Whaaat!

In the afternoon, the same ordeal repeated itself. Only this time, we had more experience and were better prepared. It became apparent that not everyone was there to obtain a tourist visa. After an hour or so, Heinz got the official's attention and mentioned that we were Swiss tourists who needed Visas.

We don't know if it was the word Swiss or Tourist or Visa, but things started moving rapidly for us. We were led down a corridor to the Consul's office, skipping a long line of people.

The Consul was an amiable and polite man. He collected our passports and said to come back just before closing time to pick them up with the Visas (no request to show $25 per day per person in cash). We were much relieved!

It was not a stress-free day, but we now had permission to travel and stay in Venezuela for 14 days.

Stats: Miles 34, Expenses $25.41Read more