US Embassy Adopts Hungarian Ways

Years ago when I went to the Király thermals, I used to laugh at the system they had. Once in the door, you bought a ticket. You then walked five feet where another woman is sitting at a table with more tickets spread before her like she is going to read your fortune. She would reach for your freshly purchased entry slip and with a look of boredom that could make Medusa envious, she ripped it in half.
If you had any delusions you were now ready for the waters, you were mistaken. She handed over yet another ticket, but if you looked uninitiated, she would point you in the direction of the stairs. 

At the top of the stairs, if you were lucky enough to enter without waiting for a locker to free up, an attendant would take your ticket, hand you a towel and tell you to wait in place. Coming around the corner, there would be yet another attendant who came to escort you to a freed up locker and hand you your key. Much has changed at the thermals over the years.

Today, Ron and I had to go to the US Embassy to get our new passports. I hate having to do this so soon; ours do not expire until May 2013. However, we are going to Ecuador over the holidays and Ecuador requires that your passport be good for up to six months when leaving the country. The math did not jive.

Admittedly, US Citizen Services did answer my e-mails speedily. They have all the forms needed online and they can be filled in online also. When you print them, they were ready to go. There is also an appointment program online making it quick and easy. We had gone to the 'authorized' photographer for our required 2x2 inch photos. Our entire Hungarian photo needs have been taken care of at photo booths in the metro stations at significantly less cost. Two days before, they sent me a reminder of the appointment, all the directions were reiterated, and we were ready to go.

I was so nervous about being late and then rejected for our appointment, we were 20 minutes early. The process is more extensive now that security has been beefed up worldwide. When we finally entered, we were the only ones there. No one was waiting. We had an appointment, but still had to take a number to wait, and wait, and wait. I could see employees standing around talking, looking rather casual with coffee cups in hand. Why are we waiting when we are the only ones needing assistance? Is this a punishment for being early?
Ten minutes later our number was called. We turned in our paperwork. The woman seemed impressed and pleased we were completely prepared. She was indeed very professional, even if we had to wait. Once she did her part of this passport process; I wanted to hand over the $220 for our two passports and be out of there. That was not about to happen.

“Now hold on to your number and we will call you again to window 7, where you can pay the cashier” she directed. Window 7 had the blinds down. No one was home. It was now past 8:30 so why wasn’t anyone working. Did they go to refill their coffee cup? Are they checking Facebook? What is more important than collecting our US dollars? Still by this time, there was only one other person in the entire waiting area. He looked like he was ready for the long haul of waiting. Finally, he was called to a different window from any we had been to, so he much not be an American.

Number 502 appears on the board directing us to window 7. The blinds go up and there is a young blonde man there. “Hello, are you paying in cash? It will be $110 American or…” I did not give him a chance to finish as I held the wad of greenbacks to display them through the glass and his vision. “I am paying for two people” I remind him and turn over $220. He disappears for a minute, returns and tells me to hold on to my number. They will call me again to the other window to pick up the old passports and the receipt for today’s payment.

Why couldn’t the original woman do all of this? They certainly are not interested in moving people out very quickly with this system. It would behoove them for security reasons to keep the less number of people in the building as possible. If for some reason the woman cannot take the cash, the cashier should be there at the ready to collect the money, hand over the passports and the receipt.

In one week, one of us has to return to collect the new books, where they will fill the old ones full of holes making them sad looking.
With the new books in hand, we will have to return to the Hungarian Immigration Office to have our Residency stickers transferred to the new books. Another chore I am not looking forward to doing.

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Erma Bomeck Travels in My Memories

Erma Bombeck (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There was an American humorist, Erma Bombeck, who had a syndicated newspaper column. She was hysterically funny most of the time. She had written a number of books, but  being an avid traveler my favorite was When You Look Like Your Passport Photo, It's Time to Go Home. A title that really came home to roost yesterday. 

Our passports don't expire until May 2013. I love our passports. Pasted inside are the Visas for Vietnam, Cambodia, Zimbabwe, and dozens of stamps from countries that still stamp your passport when you enter and exit: Australia, New Zealand, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania other many other joyous travel mementos. 

The problem is that we will be going to Ecuador in December and will be there through the first two weeks of January. Ecuador requires that your passport be current for 6 months beyond the time you intend to leave. Even if we still have months left on our passports, we have to renew it for this trip. When you get a new US passport, they stamp the old one with holes, which really mars the stamps and Visas, plus you don't get to reminisce each time you pull it out for the next adventure.

I went to the photo shop to get my new photos taken, which was recommended by the embassy. They require that the photos are no older than 6 months with strict size requirements and so forth. Earlier today, our friend Melissa Rank had sent this photo she had taken when we met with her family for our last coffee before they head off to Turkey to live. I hate my photo taken, but this turned out fairly well, so I was a bit encouraged for the passport photo.This is what is called a false sense of security. 

This is what the passport photo looks like. OMG, if I didn't know better, I would swear these were two different people and the 2nd one should have never made parole. After the photographer shot the photo and had it on the computer, he asked if it was okay. I asked if he were handy with Photoshop, but he looked at me blankly. When I said it was as good as it was going to get without plastic surgery, he did break into a smile. To add insult to injury, the US is going to charge me $110 for the passport with this mug in it.

I took Erma Bombeck's advice though. I went right home..crawled under the covers with my Galaxy Tablet and priced plastic surgeons.

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Munich - Like Munch's The Scream

With surprising efficiency, there were four Lufthansa employees waiting for our arrival. Each held a destination sign: Tokyo, San Francisco, Chicago, Newark. Once they collected their respective group, they escorted us directly to passport control. My intuition was correct about the Asians on our flight. The passport officers must have been called in especially for this, since only the people from our flight filled the two lines. The controllers were slow, browsing through everyone’s passport.

Our escort kept trying to move people from one line to another depending on the current speed of any given line at the moment. When she pulled three Japanese women to the other line, she had second thoughts and put them back in our line. They were originally right in front of us, so I let them back in their place.  It was those ahead of us who complained and tried verbally forcing them to the back of the line. Of course, they were Americans. I had overheard their conversation earlier. They were loud and verbal. When the women were about to move to the end of the line, I spoke up and told them to stay where they were, verbally sparring with the loudmouths. Their flight to San Francisco was scheduled for ten minutes later than ours was after all. Our needs were more urgent. On the other side of passport control, our escort reappeared rushing us all to the appropriate gate. The plane was boarded already, so only those of us later arrivals were the hold-up.

Just as I handed the woman my boarding pass, she said “We would like to offer you a seat in business class today.” Rather than say thank you and turning to tell Ron that I hoped he enjoyed his flight too and I would see him in Tokyo, the words slipped from my mouth “We are traveling together.” She responded with “Let’s see what we can do. Ah, here is one for both of you.”

Business class seat! Score one for us. The only time I had ever been upgraded was a flight from Houston to Dallas, barely enough time to enjoy the advantages. Ironically, the last time we flew through Tokyo, Ron had a kidney stone attack on the plane. They upgraded him only then. They would not even let me up to check on him. This being an eleven hour flight, we took were thrilled to take advantage of the services. When the meal service started, they put cloth placemats on our trays. The dinner service is 3 courses, each served individually after you select from a menu. The seats move electronically in all phases of sitting up to flat as a bed. There is so much room; there is no concern about your fellow travelers space being invaded. The service was excellent. We are now spoiled for future flights.

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Choo Charlie at it Again

Ron and I were going to train down to Szeged, far south in the Hungarian plains so I could do some current research for my next book. The Divineless Mr. M decided he wanted to go with. He came to meet me and after an errand he needed to run on the way, we went to the MAV office, the Hungarian train official office. As it happen, it was raining yet again, our seventh or eighth day of rain. I cannot be sure, my calendar is too soggy to read the exact number of days. Mr. M still has not bought an umbrella, though he has been here since August. Not tempted to share mine as it is only a one man size, when we passed a brolley dealer, I pointed out to Mr. M the divine color arrangements, sharing which would complement his complexion while keeping his shaved dome dry. He was all atwitter for a whole two minutes until he asked the price. The poor dear who spends her day out in all elements trying to make a living wage, whips out her calculator and punches in 800. From the reaction of my walking mate, one overhearing his reaction would have thought she asked for his first born. "Four dollars for an umbrella?", he shouts "I could get it in NY for three." Yes, I say, but the trip to NY would certainly detract from the savings of $1.00 and certainly your NY days are well in the past. You have not lived there for years now. Umbrellas there are most likely up to $6.00 or $7.00 at least. Regardless of my persuasive skills, he chose to ignore a practical purchase and I continued to justify my lack of sharing my mini-brella with him. This from a man who has a degree in Social Work, decries the flood of illegal immigrants into the US, yet would support child labor from third world countries to save himself a buck. Somewhere in my karma I must have been tagged with a sign that shows "Befriend me, I need to have my values perpetually clarified by your warped thinking and words." I cannot comprehend how I do attract people in my life like this. It is a burden. Mr. M had the plan to wander off to Szeged with us, only to continue on to Serbia for the day to have his passport stamped. His Visa was running out and needed to leave and reenter the country to gain another 90 day stay. However, since the world is out to persecute him, the Hungarian train system was out to get him too. There are no trains from Szeged to Serbia even if it is only inches away on a map. If he were to follow this plan, it would mean an overnight train there and one back again, just to collect a stamp. Instead, he second choice was to go to Zagreb in Croatia, which ruled out Szeged. His final solution was to travel seven hours to Zagreb, tour the city for two to three hours and climb aboard yet again to spend a relaxing seven hours to return to Budapest. The weather report showed that there was an eight-six percent chance of rain tomorrow regardless of destinations. I wonder if he will find a cheaper umbrella in Croatia.

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A Rose by Any Other Name Doesn't Get to Board the Plane

Coming soon to an airport near you

Travel Industry Today, Tuesday May 26, 2009

Here’s a new rule that you should know about. No longer reserved for just killers (Lee Harvey Oswald, James Earl Ray, John Wayne Gacey) and Hollywood (Mary Tyler Moore, James Earl Jones, Sarah Jessica Parker), middle names that are included on passports and drivers' licenses, will soon have to be reflected on the passenger's ticket when they fly within the US, and by December, if they fly overseas. The requirement from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is supposed to make it easier for travellers, airlines and the TSA to avoid ID hassles at airports. Because the master lists of questionable travellers are apparently in full-name format, the TSA wants to make sure that travel documents conform to its lists. The requirement was supposed to take effect May 15 for domestic travel, but has been pushed back a month or so. The new rule apparently stipulates that passengers must travel under their name as it appears on the ID utilized to board their flight. That typically means a passport or a driver's license domestically, and a passport or "enhanced" driver's license internationally. Under the new rule, when making flight reservation, each airline is supposed to obtain the full name of the passenger and pass it along to the TSA. The ticket and/or boarding pass should exactly match the identification used. The TSA has announced that it will be lenient in case of small differences.

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Travel Alerts for 2009

Planning ahead, here are some changes in travel for 2009. Some only apply to US citizens, but some to others as well. Currently: ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States. 2009: On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document. Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory. EU Airlines: The European Parliament approved a “transparency” law mandating that airfares have to include all taxes, fees and charges added to the basic ticket price and known at the time of publication. It should take effect either later this year or at the beginning of 2009. This is meant to avoid unpleasant surprises when shopping around for a ticket within Europe or to Europe. Under the rule, airfare or air rate, taxes, airport charges and other charges, surcharges or fees, such as those related to security or fuel, have to be included in the price of the ticket. Visas going to the US: The Department of Homeland Security’s new Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will become mandatory on January 12, 2009. It’s a fully-automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Currently, 27 countries' citizens can travel to the US for 90 days without a Visa for tourism, but not business or work. If you need a passport, apply early. Due to the backlog, delays can be months long.

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The lowdown on U.S. passport cards - This Just In - Budget Travel

The lowdown on U.S. passport cards

Posted by: Danielle Lipp, Budget Travel Newsletter, Friday, Jul 25, 2008, 9:06 AM

The new passport card (Courtesy The Department of State)

This month the government began to produce U.S. passport cards—a cheaper, easier-to-carry alternative to traditional passports. Each passport card fits in a wallet and typically costs only $45, versus $100 for a passport. (Both are valid for a decade; prices and rules vary for citizens under 16 years old.)

Whoa, back up a sec! I've forgotten the rules for traveling in and out of the country. Give me a quick update. Until recently, your needed a driver's license and birth certificate to return home after sea and land travel. Now you have an additional option, called a passport card. Starting June 1, 2009, you'll be required to carry a passport or passport card to return home after sea and land travel (with some exceptions).

Do passport cards work the same way as traditional passports? No. Cheaper passport cards can only be used for land and sea travel between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. For any air travel outside of the U.S., you need a traditional passport. Plus only traditional passports can be marked with cool stamps from around the world.

I'm confused. Why would I bother with a passport card when a traditional passport covers both land/sea travel and air travel? Think of passport cards as similar to—though not exactly like—the EZ Pass electronic toll collection system that's popular on Northeast toll roads. Border officers can access photographs and biographical information on your passport card from 20 feet away because each card contains a radio frequency identification chip. Officers pull up your info on their electronic devices before you reach them, speeding up the process. Your traditional passport can't do that.

Hmm.... Can anyone read my passport card and learn my private info? For people who may have concerns about privacy, "there's no danger of any personal information being transmitted from the chip on the card, because there is no information on the card," says Steve Royster, spokesman for the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the State Department. "Instead, all the chip has is an ID number that will be used to link the card to a secure government database that's accessed as someone drives toward the border." And for added security, each card comes with a protective sleeve that acts as a shield to prevent any kind of transmission.

So which should I get: a passport or a passport card? Do you frequently cross either the Mexican or Canadian border by car? Get a passport card. It will speed your processing at the border.

Plan to fly outside of the U.S.? You need a traditional passport.

Taking a cruise? Ask your cruise line what identification you will need. Some cruise lines have identification requirements that are tighter than the State Department's.

What's the best option for a child? If you don't expect that your child will take an international flight in the next five years—a passport card is best. It costs $35 for kids under age 16, versus $85 for a traditional passport.

Is there any reason why someone might want to get a traditional passport and a passport card? Says the spokesman, Royster, "Some people like the convenience of having a reliable ID they can walk around with in their pocket or purse." When applying for a new job, a driver's license, a marriage certificate, or conducting financial transactions, you may need to show copies of your birth certificate. Now, instead, you can carry a passport card, which is valid in all states as a way to confirm your identity and citizenship. A tip: If you apply for both at the same time or if you already have a valid passport, you can get a passport card for an additional $20.

How do I get a passport card and/or a passport? If you don't already have a passport, you must apply in-person at a passport acceptance facility (such as a post office, library, or courthouse). To find one, search by zip code at iafdb.travel.state.gov. To learn how to apply, visit travel.state.gov. As a general rule, bring proof of identity and of U.S. citizenship along with two passport-ready photos.

If you already have a passport, you can apply by mail—the same way you would renew your passport. Note: Like a normal passport renewal, you'll have to send in two passport photos with the application, plus your current passport, which will be returned to you within about four weeks, regardless of when your passport card arrives.

Is it easier to get a passport card than a traditional passport? Alas, no. The application process for the cards is the same as it is for traditional passports. With both, if you're eligible to mail in the application, you'll save the potential hassle of waiting in line at the post office or courthouse. Royster says that the cards will eventually have the same turnaround time as traditional passports (currently, about four weeks).

But don't expect a four-week turnaround this summer: The State Department began accepting applications, first come, first served, for the cards in February and received more than 350,000 requests. It has mailed out 7,600 cards and expects to have the rest of the preorders sent out by the end of September.

If you applied for a passport card today, the earliest you could expect to receive one is after the initial 350,000 orders are filled.

Expedited service ($60 more plus delivery fees, for a two-week turnaround), like what’s currently offered for passports, will also eventually be available for the cards, but not until production catches up.

Anything else I should know? Travel from U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, doesn't require either a passport or a passport card.

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The Problem With a Small B and B

One thing that I hate about running a small B and B is when guests have to cancel at the last minute or just do not show up at all. Our no show rate is remarkably good considering. I think we have had three no-show guests in the years we have been running the place. All strangely enough have come from one booking agency. It happens to be the first agency we contracted with, but their referrals have gone down considerably over the years. Perhaps people are not traveling to Budapest from Europe as much as in the past? Today, we had to guests due to arrive for an eight night stay. They called from the Amsterdam airport to say that their passports were missing when they arrived from the train they were on. Without the passports, the airline would not let them fly. The guy sounded like he was practically in tears. He had sent a few e-mails telling us how excited they were to visit and on the phone, he said they found a jar of Skippy peanut butter. Based on his e-mails, we were looking forward to meeting them. So now we have a room open for eight unexpected nights. The chances of getting a last minute person are poor, but it happens. We will see.

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Fill'er Up

It was that time again when we had to have pages added to our passports. We had them added once before and had the standard numbered pages and then the alpha pages. So many countries require a full page for their Visa, filling up the pages fast. We had a full page for China in the past and one for Chile. Now the Zimbabwe and yearly Hungarian Visas have pages all of their own. Then the Vietnam Visa required a full page too. We called the embassy here in Budapest and found that we could download the application for more pages and bring it in. It is form DS 4085. http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/80120.pdf I had to have a letter from Ron saying I could have pages added to his passport to save him from having to appear too.

The embassy has the x-ray machines like at the airport and this is long before 9/11. I purposefully left my mobile phone at home; they make you leave it with the guard. After x-raying my bag, the guard pointed to a small object on the machine, but I could not make out what it was. I opened my bag and told him to have at it. I guess they can't do a search. He called someone over to interpret. It was my nail clipper. They made me leave my nail clipper there while I was inside. God forbid I should suddenly go crazy and do manicures while I am waiting. Adding pages is free, but time consuming, especially if you have to mail it in. It can take up to two weeks. I took a number from the automated machine; only one option for US citizens. The wait was 20 minutes for my number to be called. I tried reading my book while I waited, but eavesdropping was too much fun to pay attention. I had to listen to everyone's story. With the forms filled out and tucked into the passports, the guy looked over the application and the passports and told me to wait for my number to be called again. I had to wait for 45 minutes and we now have beige and white picture pages of American scenery in our little blue books.

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