There we were at the airposrt saying goodbye to our families as we headed back to Guyana. It had been a wonderful trip; a beautiful wedding, lots of time with family and friends, great food, good wine and beer, air conditioning, and relaxation. The two weeks at home had gone better than eagerly anticipated and now it was time to head back to Guyana. We bravely (albeit tearfully) waved to our family from the airport doors and walked up to the Continental counter, passports in hand. "I'm sorry, this passport is too damaged." WHAT?! That's right...we were not allowed to board the plane in Austin because of an incident my passport had run into with a dog's mouth about 5 years ago. Did I mention that I have been travelling with this same passport for the past 5 years and that it is the passport that got me home? Regardless, due to new passport regulations, we were turned away. We called Blake's parents, asked if they wouldn't mind keeping us until we got this passport thing sorted out. I am pretty sure that they didn't mind. :)
So, back home and straight to the computer and the phone we went. I am not sure if you all are aware of the new passport regulations that have been put in place? the US is now obligating every American travelling anywhere outside of the United States to carry a passport; that include Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. You can imagine how many people are frantic to get their passports before their summer trips come up. We were just one in a long line, literally. We finally got an emergency appointment at the passport agency in Houston for 10:00. So, 5:00 AM in the car and Houston here we come. We arrived about an hour early for the appointment and arrived to a line out the door and around the building. Surely this isn't the line for poeple with an appointment?! Yep...appointment and non-appointment alike. So, we waited...and waited, and waited. It took about 51/2 hours of just waiting in line for us to actually talk to someone and once we did, it took about 5 minuted for them to process us and then another 1 1/2 hours to make the passport. By 5:00, we were headed home, shiny new passport in hand.
That was just the first challenge. The second was finding a flight back to Guyana. Finally we confirmed our seats for the May 31st, which means that tomorrow morning will be take two of our journey back to Georgetown. It has been a wonderful trip home, but we are ready to get back to work and buckle down for our remaining time in Guyana. We will keep you posted on how everything is going, as long as you keep us posted on how everything is going with you!
Love, Jessa and Blake
