There is just something that feels fundamentally wrong about sliding your passport, your most official piece of ID that distinguishes you as a Canadian citizen, into an envelope mailing it to Ottawa. However, that was the case last Thursday as Kiri and I rushed back and forth between both of our houses to gather all the documents that were required to apply for a Visa to get us into Ghana in oh, you know, about 35 days.
Between flight itineraries, terrible passport pictures, and a handwritten application completed in quadruple, it took Kiri and I about 3 hours to get everything together before trudging into our local Canada Post office in the back of a Shoppers Drug Mart. A wonderful Canada Post worker took one look at our terrified faces, as we gripped our passports with white knuckles, and quickly spouted off a number of mailing options. We picked the most secure way (obviously…we’re scared of scammers) and she began walking us through the steps for filling out the envelopes with utmost care. And then, when Kiri and I stood beside each other at the counter, trying to talk ourselves into sealing the envelopes, she smiled at us and once again went over the procedure of tracking our passports in their delivery to Ottawa.
After finally sealing those envelopes (thank goodness for that Canada Post employee... she deserves a gold medal when it comes reassuring people), we hopped back into my car and drove back to Kiri’s house where her dad made us waffles. Pretty solid ending to a stressful couple hours, if you ask me. So now the waiting game ensues - we’re expecting our passports back soonish and it’s not like it’s stressful or anything…
In other news, Kiri and I were interviewed by the St Albert Gazette today… so anyone who lives in the city and surrounding areas should keep their eyes peeled next Wednesday when the new issue comes out! It should be a good read... and probably an opportunity to laugh at the picture that Kiri and I tried our best to look natural in. Anyways, we're really stoked about being able to get the word out of what we'll be up to in Ghana and can't wait to read the article!
-L
Between flight itineraries, terrible passport pictures, and a handwritten application completed in quadruple, it took Kiri and I about 3 hours to get everything together before trudging into our local Canada Post office in the back of a Shoppers Drug Mart. A wonderful Canada Post worker took one look at our terrified faces, as we gripped our passports with white knuckles, and quickly spouted off a number of mailing options. We picked the most secure way (obviously…we’re scared of scammers) and she began walking us through the steps for filling out the envelopes with utmost care. And then, when Kiri and I stood beside each other at the counter, trying to talk ourselves into sealing the envelopes, she smiled at us and once again went over the procedure of tracking our passports in their delivery to Ottawa.
After finally sealing those envelopes (thank goodness for that Canada Post employee... she deserves a gold medal when it comes reassuring people), we hopped back into my car and drove back to Kiri’s house where her dad made us waffles. Pretty solid ending to a stressful couple hours, if you ask me. So now the waiting game ensues - we’re expecting our passports back soonish and it’s not like it’s stressful or anything…
In other news, Kiri and I were interviewed by the St Albert Gazette today… so anyone who lives in the city and surrounding areas should keep their eyes peeled next Wednesday when the new issue comes out! It should be a good read... and probably an opportunity to laugh at the picture that Kiri and I tried our best to look natural in. Anyways, we're really stoked about being able to get the word out of what we'll be up to in Ghana and can't wait to read the article!
-L