Paperwork for India

If I had known FIRST that I would have to have not one but several shots and SECOND there would be so much paperwork...well, I would really think hard about going to India. Yes, I would still go....just think longer about it!

There is a swine flu outbreak in India. According to paperwork from the Consulate General of India Travel Advisory "This is to inform all travelers to India from the United States that due to the outbreak of Swine-flue {sic} health screen of passengers coming from affected countries including the United States of America is continuing in 21 airports (Pune) and 221 doctors and 111 paramedics have been deployed to man 76 counters at the airport.

I can deal with that. Gary and I got our flu shots today. The advisory also noted that if we are sniffling we will most likely be quarantined. I won't sniff and sneeze going through customs.

However, there are several shots we need. Gary read them all off and I told him no way. So, we are going with the 4 major shots that Brent sent us in a list.

Getting the visa! Oh my goodness! You have no idea. I started on the paperwork around 9:00 a.m. and I just got home from Fed Ex mailing the paperwork to the Indian Embassy in Houston. I won't go into the paperwork but it's a lot. Then, a trip to the bank to purchase money orders to mail with the visa application. Then a trip to Fed Ex only to find out we don't have all the forms for the Indian paperwork. Back home. Complete more forms. Back to Fed Ex. I missed the Dr. Oz show! Got home at 5:00 p.m. Truthfully, spent all day on this except for the 40 minutes at Appleby's for lunch.

Did I mention that the country is on the alert list for potential terrorism? Would I be going if my grandchildren were not there? Heck no! I figure Brent and Jessica are adults and they have travelled the world. Actually, Anna Claire has also.

The Embassy gets the paperwork on Monday. Thursday is an Indian Holiday and the offices will be closed. I have my fingers crossed; afterall, the tickets have been purchased. The motel will be booked tomorrow since we did have to put on the application where we are staying.

I also had to give a contact name, address and telephone number. I sure hope my sister, Sancy, doesn't get a phone call from a foreign speaking person.