High-Ho, Off to Honduras We Go

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!

Guatemala Needs Your Help!

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