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Note: This is the second part of my misadventures in obtaining a Honduran visa. Click here to read the first part.
Still feeling a bit uneasy even after my visit to the NYC consulate, the next day I decided to pretend that my work deadlines didn't exist and concentrate instead on resolving this matter once and for all. I had a bright idea: I would seek answers from the other consulates (LA, Chicago, DC) who would then hopefully confirm the New York consulate's verdict. As bad luck would have it, all three conversations pretty much followed the same script: A non-English speaking staffer picks up the phone. I then draw a deep breath and forge ahead in explaining the problem as best I could en Espanol. Afterwards, the staffer would state that, "Yes, you do need a visa", and then recite the same laundry list of required documents. I say goodbye, slam the phone in disgust, and draw a deep sigh of despair.
Spurred into action, the following morning I showed up promptly at 9am at the NYC consulate and was the only person in line. There I was assisted by Jessica, who immediately told me that I DID NOT need a visa, but they would have to put a stamp on my passport which stated that I did not need a visa. Confusing? As I digested this information, she handed me the same exact five page application form that I had filled up a couple of weeks ago!!! After having secured the official exemption stamp, I dared ask her why all the consulates (or even colleagues working in the same branch) give out wildly different information, thus confusing every Honduras-bound traveller born in a third world country. Matter of factly, Jessica replied, "Because no one in any of the offices can understand the manual!! Only I, since I have read it so many times!". Normally this would've presented a perfect opening for dishing out a sarcastic comment, but I just kept my mouth shut and thanked my lucky stars she was on hand this particular day.
So after enduring all these, those Mayan ruins at Copan and the Bay Islands better be worth the trouble!
As you may know, I spent a couple of weeks down in Antigua, Guatemala last May where I took intensive (make that super intensive) Spanish language classes. Along with waking up very early for 4 hours of instruction, I participated in various cultural activities in the afternoons (including a very animated futbol match), stayed with a local family, and travelled to two other fascinating and popular parts of Guatemala: Tikal and Lago Atitlan.
Thus it saddens me that the recent Hurricane Stan has destroyed villages in the Lago Atitlan area, and millions of people have lost their homes and belongings. So I am posting this letter from Petra, the asst. manager at Casa de Lenguas (a fantastic school set in a converted colonial house in Antigua where I took my classes). She is coordinating a fund-raising effort for the victims of the said hurricane.
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Dear student,
As you may know, Guatemala and its people suffered a terrible tragedy in the last month from hurricane Stan that hit Guatemala on October 4th 2005. Guatemala was hit worst of all Central American countries, and the exact impact of the disaster is still not fully known. Stan hit mainly in the south of the country, the Pacific coastline and the highlands of Guatemala, representing the 30% of the country that are also the poorest areas.The latest news tells us that over 1000 people died, hundreds are missing, entire villages are wiped out, and over 3 million Guatemalans are affected.
Casa de Lenguas would like to ask for your help in collecting funds. We will channel 100% of the donations to a few selected non-profit organizations that are experts in construction, who will rebuild houses, schools and hospitals in Guatemala that are affected by Stan.
You can help us by donating money to our foundation and by bringing out the message to your friends and family members, and encourage them to help Guatemala too! Invest in the future with us and do not allow this to become a setback too overwhelming for the social and economic development of our beloved Guatemala.
You can donate via our on-line Registration Form here or wire money to our bank account. For more details about this or if you like to read more about Stan and the situation in Guatemala, have a look at our website: Casa de Lenguas.
All contributions are appreciated, no matter the size!
Warm regards,
The Casa de Lenguas team
Petra Cubretovic
Assistant Manager
So i had the morning off today and thought that I might as well schlep over to the Honduran consulate in NYC. A month or so ago, I had called them up and much to my dismay,was told that I did indeed need to procure a visa at the stupendous cost of $60 ("Who the hell do these people think they are?!", I cried out, with smoke coming out of my ears),and among the documents to be presented were my bank statements, letter of employment, etc. Not trusting this information, decided to let a couple of weeks pass by and then called up the consulate again. This time a cheerful young woman actually asked me some questions, and having ascertained that I had a green card, cheefully told me that yes, I DO need a visa to visit Honduras, but with the halo of the green card over my head I was deemed trustworthy enoughnot to have to present bank statements and such, and more importantly nor did I have to shell out the $60 fee. Thus, armed with this information, I made my way over there. Upon arrival, I immediately stepped up to the counter (no lines, some Honduran natives milling about) and informed the guy about my intentions, as well as the fact that I possessed the magical "tarjeta verde". He ushered me into the office of the consul general herself. After I explained the situation to her, she consulted a handbook and said, "No, you DO NOT need a visa to visit Honduras. However, we will give you a letter which states this, and you should present this letter to the border guards." She then instructed me to fill out the lengthy application form right there in her office. (Strangely enough, people kept on coming in, usually Hondurenos applying for passports, visas, etc and she efficiently questioned the applicants and handled each case with aplomb - I took delight in playing the dumb foreigner, all the while eavesdropping on the platicos en espanol lol). As I finally finished with the forms and handed them to her, she scanned the forms, uttered some remarks under her breath, and told me, "Excuse me, I'll be right back". After a few minutes, she re-entered the room and at the same time triumphantly declared,
"You don't need a visa...have a nice trip. Goodbye!".
"Are you sure??? What if they don't let me into the country?". (incredulous at turn of events)
"Yes, bec you have a green card.", (smiling at this extranjero tonto and not taking any offense)
"Do they know this?". (still in disbelief)
"Yes, they have the reference book." (firmly to get rid of me)
So that was my experience with those hapless Hondurans. On one hand I was relieved to have gotten over the whole thing quickly, yet at the same time it was a waste of time and effort. Remains to be seen if the border guards will indeed let me into Honduras. Promises to add an element of excitement (and apprehension) to the trip, don't you think?
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